Deuteronomy5

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.

Moses Recounts the Horeb Covenant

1
Then Moshe called to all Isra'el and said to them, "Listen, Isra'el, to the laws and rulings which I am announcing in your hearing today, so that you will learn them and take care to obey them. ​
2
ADONAI our God made a covenant with us at Horev. ​
3
ADONAI did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us -with us, who are all of us here alive today. ​
4
ADONAI spoke with you face to face from the fire on the mountain.
5
At that time I stood between ADONAI and you in order to tell you what ADONAI was saying; because, on account of the fire, you were afraid and wouldn't go up onto the mountain. He said, t ​

The Ten Commandments Recited

6
"'I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you lived as slaves. c ​
7
"'You are to have no other gods before me.
8
You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline -
9
you are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I, ADONAI your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents, also the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ​
10
but displaying grace to the thousandth generation of those who love me and obey my mitzvot.
11
"'You are not to misuse the name of ADONAI your God, because ADONAI will not leave unpunished someone who misuses his name. ​
12
"'Observe the day of Shabbat, to set it apart as holy, as ADONAI your God ordered you to do.
13
You have six days to labor and do all your work,
14
but the seventh day is a Shabbat for ADONAI your God. On it you are not to do any kind of work - not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your ox, your donkey or any of your other livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property - so that your male and female servants can rest just as you do. ​
15
You are to remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and ADONAI your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore ADONAI your God has ordered you to keep the day of Shabbat. ​
16
"'Honor your father and mother, as ADONAI your God ordered you to do, so that you will live long and have things go well with you in the land ADONAI your God is giving you. ​
17
"'Do not murder. ​
18
"'Do not commit adultery.
19
"'Do not steal.
20
"'Do not give false evidence against your neighbor.
21
"'Do not covet your neighbor's wife; do not covet your neighbor's house, his field, his male or female slave, his ox, his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.' ​
22
"These words ADONAI spoke to your entire gathering at the mountain from fire, cloud and thick mist, in a loud voice; then it ceased. But he wrote them on two stone tablets, which he gave to me.

Israel Requests Moses to Mediate

23
When you heard the voice coming out of the darkness, as the mountain blazed with fire, you came to me, all the heads of your tribes and your leaders, ​
24
and said, 'Here, ADONAI our God has shown us his glory and his greatness! We have heard his voice coming from the fire, and we have seen today that God does speak with human beings, and they stay alive.
25
But why should we keep risking death? This great fire will consume us! If we hear the voice of ADONAI our God any more, we will die!
26
For who is there of all humanity that has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the fire, as we have, and stayed alive?
27
You, go near; and hear everything ADONAI our God says. Then you will tell us everything ADONAI our God says to you; and we will listen to it and do it.'
28
"ADONAI heard what you were saying when you spoke to me, and ADONAI said to me, 'I have heard what this people has said when speaking to you, and everything they have said is good.

God Commends Israel's Intent

29
Oh, how I wish their hearts would stay like this always, that they would fear me and obey all my mitzvot; so that it would go well with them and their children forever. ​
30
Go, tell them to return to their tents.
31
But you, stand here by me; and I will tell you all the mitzvot, laws and rulings which you are to teach them, so that they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.'
32
"Therefore you are to be careful to do as ADONAI your God has ordered you; you are not to deviate either to the right or the left. ​
33
You are to follow the entire way which ADONAI your God has ordered you; so that you will live, things will go well with you, and you will live long in the land you are about to 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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