Deuteronomy 18:17

KJV

And the LORD said unto me, They have well [spoken that] which they have spoken.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, They have well {H3190} spoken that which they have spoken {H1696}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that occasion ADONAI said to me, 'They are right in what they are saying.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to me, “They have spoken well.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto me, They have well said that which they have spoken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 18:17 records a pivotal divine affirmation where the Lord Himself validates the Israelites' request at Mount Horeb for a mediator to stand between them and God's overwhelming presence. This verse is profoundly significant, not only highlighting God's compassionate understanding of human frailty but also setting the immediate stage for the promise of a future Prophet, thereby establishing a foundational principle for divine-human communication and foreshadowing the ultimate mediator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 18:17 is strategically placed within Moses' final discourses to Israel before their entry into the Promised Land, specifically in a section (chapters 12-26) outlining the statutes and ordinances for their life in Canaan. Chapter 18 focuses on the roles of the Levitical priests and, crucially, the institution of prophecy, distinguishing true prophets from false diviners. The immediate preceding verses are vital for understanding this divine affirmation: [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Promise of a Prophet Like Moses") promises that the Lord will raise up a prophet like Moses from among them, and [Deuteronomy 18:16](/deuteronomy/18-16 "Deuteronomy 18:16 - Israel's Request at Horeb") recounts the specific event at Mount Horeb (Sinai) where the people, overwhelmed by God's fiery and audible presence, pleaded not to hear God's voice directly again, lest they die. Verse 17 is God's direct, affirmative response to this plea, acknowledging the wisdom and necessity of their request for an intermediary.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event at Mount Horeb (Sinai) was a formative experience for Israel, marking the giving of the Law and the establishment of the covenant. The direct, unmediated manifestation of God's glory, described with fire, thunder, and a terrifying voice ([Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai") and [Exodus 20:18-19](/exodus/20-18-20 "Exodus 20:18-20 - Israel's Fear at Sinai")), profoundly impacted the Israelites. Their request for a mediator was not a sign of unbelief or rebellion, but a recognition of their mortal limitations in the face of divine holiness. In the ancient Near East, direct divine encounters were often depicted as dangerous or fatal, making a mediator a common and necessary figure for communication between the divine and human realms. This context underscores God's gracious condescension to human weakness and His provision for safe interaction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it emphasizes the **necessity of mediation** between a holy God and finite, fallen humanity, a theme central to the entire sacrificial system, the role of the priesthood, and the prophetic office. Secondly, it highlights **God's gracious accommodation** to His people's needs and fears; He does not force His overwhelming presence upon them but provides a means for His word to be heard safely. Thirdly, it serves as a direct **preparation for the institution of prophecy** in Israel, setting the stage for the promise of a "Prophet like Moses" in [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - The Promise of a Prophet"). This divine affirmation of the people's request validates the very mechanism through which God intends to continue revealing His will to His people throughout their history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "the LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. Derived from the root "to be," it signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is faithful to His covenant promises. The use of this name here emphasizes that the affirmation comes from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, lending ultimate authority and reliability to His words.
* **well (Hebrew, _yâṭab'_):** This primitive root means "to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)." In this context, it signifies that the people's action or words were "right," "good," or "fitting." The Hiphil stem (causative) used here implies that they "did well" or "acted rightly" in their speech. It conveys God's full approval and endorsement of their request, suggesting it was not only understandable but also wise and appropriate.
* **spoken (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to speak" or "to arrange." In this verse, it refers to the act of verbal communication. The repetition of this verb ("spoken that which they have spoken") creates an emphatic construction, highlighting the specific content of their utterance and underscoring that God's approval is directed precisely at the words they articulated at Horeb. It confirms that their request for a mediator was heard, understood, and now divinely validated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto me":** This clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the statement. Moses is the direct recipient of God's words, underscoring his unique role as mediator and prophet, and confirming that the following declaration is a direct revelation from God Himself, not merely Moses' interpretation. This also links back to the narrative voice of Deuteronomy, where Moses recounts God's past actions and words to the new generation, ensuring the current generation understands the divine basis for the coming prophecy.
* **"They have well [spoken that] which they have spoken":** This is the core of the divine affirmation. God explicitly validates the Israelites' plea at Horeb (recounted in [Deuteronomy 18:16](/deuteronomy/18-16 "Deuteronomy 18:16 - Israel's Request at Horeb")) for a mediator to speak His words to them. The repetition of "spoken" (dâbar) emphasizes the act of their utterance, while "well" (yâṭab) conveys God's complete approval of the content and intent of their request. It signifies that their fear was legitimate and their desire for an intermediary was a wise and appropriate response to God's overwhelming holiness, recognizing the profound chasm between divine glory and human frailty.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device in Deuteronomy 18:17 is **Direct Discourse**, as God's exact words are quoted, lending immense authority and weight to the statement. This direct divine utterance functions as a powerful **Divine Affirmation**, validating the people's fear and their subsequent request for a mediator. The verse also employs **Repetition** ("spoken that which they have spoken") for emphasis, underscoring the divine approval of their specific words and the wisdom behind them. This rhetorical device draws attention to the significance of the people's request. Furthermore, it serves as a critical moment of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the explicit prophecy of the "Prophet like Moses" in the very next verse ([Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - The Promise of a Prophet")). This divine validation of the need for an intermediary implicitly prepares the reader for the coming of such a pivotal figure in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 18:17 reveals a profound aspect of God's character: His compassionate understanding of human weakness and His gracious provision for a relationship with His people. Rather than condemning their fear at Horeb, God affirms their request for a mediator, recognizing that unmediated divine glory is too overwhelming for finite, fallen humanity. This divine endorsement of the need for an intermediary lays the theological groundwork for the entire Old Testament system of mediation, including the priesthood, the sacrificial system, and the prophetic office. It highlights that God desires communication with His people, but always on terms that accommodate their limitations, ensuring their survival and ability to receive His word without being consumed by His holiness. This verse underscores God's initiative in bridging the gap between Himself and humanity.

* [Exodus 20:18-19](/exodus/20-18-20 "Exodus 20:18-20 - Israel's Fear at Sinai")
* [Hebrews 12:18-24](/hebrews/12-18-24 "Hebrews 12:18-24 - Sinai vs. Zion")
* [1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 18:17 offers a comforting glimpse into the heart of God, revealing a Deity who is not distant or uncaring, but intimately attuned to the human condition. The Israelites' fear at Horeb was a natural, even appropriate, response to the raw, unmediated power of God's holiness. God's affirmation of their request for a mediator demonstrates His profound grace: He doesn't demand that we approach Him in a way that would destroy us, but provides a way for His truth to be communicated and for relationship to be maintained. For us today, this verse underscores our continued need for a mediator. It reminds us that our access to God is not by our own strength or merit, but entirely through His gracious provision. It should cultivate in us a deep gratitude for the means by which God has made Himself known and accessible, fostering both reverence for His holiness and confidence in His compassion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's affirmation of Israel's fear at Horeb challenge our assumptions about approaching a holy God?**
* **In what ways do we, like the Israelites, still need a mediator to truly hear and understand God's word without being overwhelmed by His presence or holiness?**
* **How does this verse deepen our appreciation for God's grace and His persistent desire to communicate with humanity, despite our limitations?**

### FAQ

**Why did God say "They have well spoken"? Was their fear a good thing?**

Answer: God's affirmation "They have well spoken" does not mean their fear was inherently good, but that their request stemming from that fear was wise and appropriate. The Israelites' fear was a natural and understandable response to the terrifying, unmediated manifestation of God's holiness and power at Mount Horeb, as described in [Exodus 20:18-19](/exodus/20-18-20 "Exodus 20:18-20 - Israel's Fear at Sinai"). They recognized their own frailty and mortality in the face of such divine glory and rightly concluded that direct, continuous exposure would be fatal. God affirmed their request for a mediator because it acknowledged His holiness and their limitations, and it aligned with His plan to communicate His will to them through chosen representatives rather than overwhelming them directly. It was a recognition of a profound theological truth: fallen humanity cannot directly withstand the unmediated presence of a holy God and live.

**How does this verse relate to the promise of "a Prophet like Moses" in the very next verse?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 18:17 is the direct preamble and divine justification for the promise of "a Prophet like Moses" in [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - The Promise of a Prophet"). God's affirmation of the people's request for a mediator immediately sets the stage for His provision of such a figure. The people asked for someone to speak God's words to them so they would not die, and God responded by promising to raise up a prophet who would do exactly that. This connection is crucial for understanding the messianic significance of the "Prophet like Moses," as it highlights that this future prophet would fulfill the very need expressed by the people at Horeb, serving as the ultimate divine-human intermediary who would bring God's word to humanity in a way that could be received.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 18:17, with its divine affirmation of the need for a mediator, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Israelites' plea at Horeb for someone to stand between them and God's overwhelming presence was a deeply felt human need for a safe and accessible way to hear God's voice and engage with His holiness. God's response, "They have well spoken," acknowledges this fundamental human limitation and sets the trajectory for His divine provision. The "Prophet like Moses" promised in [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - The Promise of a Prophet") is universally understood by Christian theology to refer to Jesus. He is the one who perfectly mediates God's word to humanity, embodying the divine revelation as the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")) and speaking with unparalleled authority, unlike any other teacher ([Matthew 7:29](/matthew/7-29 "Matthew 7:29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")). Furthermore, Jesus is not merely a prophet but the ultimate High Priest and the "one mediator between God and men" ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - Christ, the One Mediator")), who offers Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ Our High Priest")) and continually intercedes for us before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). Thus, the fear and profound need expressed by Israel at Sinai, divinely affirmed in this verse, are fully and graciously met in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, through whom we can now boldly approach God's throne of grace without fear of destruction ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 5:28

And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD 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.