Moses gathers all Israel to reiterate the covenant made at Horeb, emphasizing that the LORD spoke the Ten Commandments directly to the current generation from the midst of the fire. Due to the people's fear of direct divine communication, they requested Moses to mediate further. Moses then recites the Decalogue, urging strict obedience to these foundational laws for their prosperity in the promised land.
And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them.
(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount), saying,
Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me;
but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Honor thy father and thy mother, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee; that thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor’s wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor’s house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbor’s.
These words Jehovah spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them upon two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
and ye said, Behold, Jehovah our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth speak with man, and he liveth.
Go thou near, and hear all that Jehovah our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that Jehovah our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
And Jehovah heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and Jehovah said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
Ye shall walk in all the way which Jehovah your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Study Notes for Deuteronomy 5
Verse 1
Moses begins his second major address by demanding attention to the statutes and judgments, emphasizing that the purpose is not just to hear, but to learn, keep, and practice them in the promised land.
Verse 2
Horeb is the name used throughout Deuteronomy for Mount Sinai, the site of the foundational covenant where the relationship between God and Israel was formally established.
Verse 3
This verse stresses that the covenant is binding on the current generation, not just their deceased parents. The law is perpetually relevant and requires a fresh commitment from every living Israelite.
Verse 5
Moses explains his role as the necessary mediator. Because the people feared God’s overwhelming presence, Moses stood between them, receiving and transmitting the divine word.
Verse 6
The Decalogue begins with a statement of redemption. The demand for obedience is grounded in God's prior act of liberation (the Exodus), establishing a relationship before imposing laws.
Verse 9
The concept of 'jealousy' (Heb. *qanna*) here reflects God's insistence on exclusive fidelity within the covenant relationship. Visiting iniquity refers to the persistent, generational consequences of idolatry and spiritual rebellion.
Verse 11
To take the name of the LORD 'in vain' (*la shav*) means using it falsely, lightly, or for destructive purposes (e.g., false oaths, curses). This command guarantees divine accountability for the misuse of God's revealed character.
Verse 14
The Sabbath rest extends universally to all members of the household and community, reflecting the fundamental equality and dignity of all persons before God.
Verse 15
This Deuteronomic version of the Sabbath command anchors the observance in redemption (Exodus) rather than creation (Exodus 20:11). Israel keeps the Sabbath as a perpetual reminder of their deliverance from slavery.
Verse 16
Honoring parents ensures stable family structures, which are vital for national longevity. The promise of prolonged days is specifically tied to their well-being in the land they are about to possess.
Verse 17
The Hebrew term *ratsach* refers specifically to unlawful homicide or murder, distinguishing it from accidental killing or legitimate judicial execution.
Verse 21
The final command addresses the internal desire (coveting) that precedes the outward act. Deuteronomy places the neighbor's wife first, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage over material possessions.
Verse 23
The people, overwhelmed by the terrifying theophany (God speaking from fire), recognized the deadly nature of direct divine encounter and sought safety through Moses' mediation.
Verse 29
This verse is a poignant divine wish (*Mi yitten*), reflecting God's desire for the people’s internal disposition (heart) to match their external commitment (words), ensuring sustained obedience and blessing.
Verse 32
The command not to turn aside 'to the right hand or to the left' is a common biblical idiom demanding strict, uncompromising adherence to the divine instruction alone.
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