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 called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.”
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the LORD’s word: for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain;) saying,
“You shall not make an engraved image for yourself, any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them; for I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me;
but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, in which you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
the LORD spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets, and gave them to me.
When you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown 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 does speak with man, and he lives.
The LORD heard the voice of your words, when you spoke to me; and the LORD said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. 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 forever!
But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.”
You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you 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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