Deuteronomy 5:1

KJV

¶ And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} called {H7121} all Israel {H3478}, and said {H559} unto them, Hear {H8085}, O Israel {H3478}, the statutes {H2706} and judgments {H4941} which I speak {H1696} in your ears {H241} this day {H3117}, that ye may learn {H3925} them, and keep {H8104}, and do {H6213} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I declare in your hearing this day. Learn them and observe them carefully.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:1 serves as a pivotal introduction to Moses' re-presentation of the covenant law to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. This verse encapsulates the foundational call to the people of God: to attentively hear, diligently learn, and actively obey the divine statutes and judgments. It sets the stage for the recapitulation of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing that their future success and blessing in the Promised Land are inextricably linked to their faithful adherence to God's revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse opens Deuteronomy chapter 5, immediately preceding Moses' powerful recitation of the Ten Commandments, which were originally given at Mount Sinai (compare with [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments")). The preceding chapters of Deuteronomy (chapters 1-4) provide a historical review of Israel's journey from Sinai to the plains of Moab, recounting their rebellion, God's faithfulness, and the consequences of disobedience. Chapter 4 concludes with a strong exhortation to obey God's laws, setting up the direct command in Deuteronomy 5:1. Thus, Deuteronomy 5:1 acts as a solemn preamble, preparing the people for the renewed declaration of the covenant's core requirements.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Forty years have passed since the Exodus from Egypt, and the generation that witnessed the giving of the law at Sinai has largely perished in the wilderness due to their unbelief and disobedience. Moses now addresses their children, a new generation poised to enter the land of Canaan. They are encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, with the Promised Land in sight. This setting is crucial: Israel is on the cusp of a major transition from nomadic wandering to settled nationhood. The cultural context emphasizes the importance of oral tradition and public assembly for the transmission of law and communal identity. Moses, as the divinely appointed mediator, gathers "all Israel" to collectively impress upon them the terms of the covenant that will govern their life in the land, ensuring continuity of faith and practice.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 5:1 introduces several overarching themes central to the book of Deuteronomy and the entire Pentateuch. The primary theme is **Covenant Renewal and Obedience**, as Moses reiterates the terms of the Sinai covenant to a new generation, stressing that their well-being in the land is contingent upon their faithful obedience to God's commands. This verse also highlights **Divine Authority and Instruction**, affirming that the "statutes and judgments" are not human inventions but God's authoritative word, delivered through His chosen servant. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Active Hearing and Learning**, encapsulated in the command "Hear, O Israel," which implies not just passive reception but attentive listening, deep understanding, and internalization of the law, leading directly to **Practical Application and Doing**. This emphasis on "doing" the law is a recurring motif in Deuteronomy, foundational to Israel's identity as God's people (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:1-3](/deuteronomy/6-1 "Deuteronomy 6:1-3 - Commands for Life in the Land")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _Shema'_):** This imperative verb (שְׁמַע) is far more profound than mere auditory perception. In biblical Hebrew, _shema'_ encompasses listening attentively, understanding, internalizing, and, most critically, obeying. It implies a responsive hearing that leads to action. This concept is foundational to the "Shema Yisrael" in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"), which calls for singular devotion to God. Here, it demands Israel's full attention and commitment to the words Moses is about to speak.
* **Statutes and Judgments (Hebrew, _chuqqim u'mishpatim'_):** This merism (חֻקִּים וּמִשְׁפָּטִים) represents the totality of God's divine law. _Chuqqim_ (statutes) refers to decrees, ordinances, or fixed laws, often those whose rationale is not immediately obvious but are based solely on God's sovereign will (e.g., ritual laws, dietary laws). _Mishpatim_ (judgments) refers to judicial decisions, civil laws, or ethical rulings that often stem from principles of justice and equity, applicable to human relationships and societal order. Together, they signify the comprehensive scope of God's revelation, covering all aspects of Israelite life—religious, moral, and civil.
* **Do (Hebrew, _'asah'_):** The final verb in the sequence "learn them, and keep, and do them" (וְלַעֲשׂוֹתָם) emphasizes the ultimate goal of divine instruction: practical obedience. It moves beyond intellectual assent ("learn") and careful preservation ("keep") to active performance. For Israel, true faith was never merely a matter of belief or knowledge, but always culminated in tangible actions that demonstrated their covenant loyalty and commitment to God's way of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them,"**: This opening clause highlights the solemn and communal nature of the address. Moses, as God's chosen mediator, gathers the entire nation, signifying that the covenant obligations apply to every individual and to the community as a whole. This is not a private instruction but a public, foundational declaration for the corporate body of Israel.
* **"Hear, O Israel,"**: This is a direct, imperative command, central to the verse's meaning. It is a summons to attentive listening and responsive obedience. The vocative "O Israel" underscores the specific audience—the entire covenant people—and their unique relationship with God. It sets a tone of urgency and profound significance for the words that follow.
* **"the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day,"**: This phrase specifies the content of Moses' address: God's comprehensive law. The emphasis on "this day" signifies a fresh, immediate, and personal encounter with God's word for this new generation, making the covenant relevant and binding for them just as it was for their parents at Sinai. The phrase "in your ears" emphasizes the direct, auditory reception of the divine commands.
* **"that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them."**: This final clause articulates the threefold purpose of hearing God's word. "Learn them" (לְמַדְתֶּם) implies deep comprehension and internalization, moving beyond superficial acquaintance. "Keep" (וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם) suggests guarding, preserving, and remembering the laws, holding them sacred. "Do them" (וְלַעֲשׂוֹתָם) is the ultimate practical outcome, demanding active, consistent obedience to the commands in daily life. This sequence underscores that true hearing leads to understanding, which leads to careful preservation, and ultimately to faithful action.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, specifically the imperative "Hear, O Israel," which immediately captures the audience's attention and establishes the solemnity and urgency of Moses' words. This command functions as a rhetorical device, drawing the listener into the covenant relationship. The phrase "statutes and judgments" is a **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting or complementary terms are used to express a totality, signifying the comprehensive nature of God's law, encompassing all aspects of life. Furthermore, the verse uses **Anaphora** (though subtle in just one verse, it sets up a pattern for the book) and **Repetition with Variation** through the sequence "learn them, and keep, and do them." This triadic structure emphasizes the progressive and comprehensive nature of obedience, moving from intellectual apprehension to active practice. The entire verse also functions as a **Rhetorical Framing** device, serving as an emphatic introduction to the recapitulation of the Decalogue, preparing the audience for the weighty divine pronouncements that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:1 lays a foundational theological principle: the absolute necessity of hearing and obeying God's Word for a people in covenant with Him. It establishes that divine revelation is not merely for intellectual assent but for transformative action, shaping the identity and destiny of God's people. This verse underscores the enduring truth that a right relationship with God is characterized by a responsive heart that not only listens to His commands but diligently strives to live by them. It sets the stage for the entire Deuteronomic theology, where blessing is directly tied to obedience and curses to disobedience, framing the covenant as a dynamic, living relationship requiring constant engagement and faithfulness. This principle resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true faith is always active and demonstrated through loving obedience.

* [Deuteronomy 6:3](/deuteronomy/6-3 "Deuteronomy 6:3 - Hear and Observe to Do")
* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-8 - Be Strong and Courageous, Meditate on the Law")
* [James 1:22](/james/1-22 "James 1:22 - Be Doers of the Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:1 powerfully reminds us that God's Word is given not merely for our information, but for our transformation. The command "Hear, O Israel" is a timeless call to every believer to engage with Scripture not as a passive recipient, but as an active participant. We are invited to listen attentively, to delve deeply into its truths ("learn them"), to guard its principles in our hearts ("keep"), and, most importantly, to live out its commands in our daily lives ("do them"). In a world filled with competing voices and distractions, this verse challenges us to prioritize God's voice above all others and to allow His statutes and judgments to shape our character, guide our decisions, and define our actions. Our spiritual vitality and effectiveness in the world are directly proportional to our commitment to hearing, learning, keeping, and doing God's Word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to "hear" God's Word passively, rather than actively engaging with it for understanding and obedience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to better "learn" God's statutes and judgments, moving beyond superficial knowledge to deep comprehension?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate that I am truly seeking to "keep, and do" God's commands, rather than just knowing them?**
* **Considering the communal call to "all Israel," how can I contribute to a culture of hearing and obedience within my own faith community?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Moses addressing "all Israel" in this verse?**

Answer: The address to "all Israel" is highly significant because it underscores the corporate nature of the covenant. While individual obedience is crucial, the covenant was made with the entire nation, and its blessings and curses applied to the community as a whole. By calling all Israel, Moses emphasizes that every person, regardless of their status or role, is accountable to God's law. It also highlights the collective responsibility of the community to uphold the covenant, teach it to future generations, and live as a distinct people set apart by God. This communal aspect reinforces the idea that their identity and destiny as a nation were inextricably linked to their shared commitment to God's statutes and judgments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:1, with its emphatic call to hear and obey God's statutes and judgments, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While Israel struggled to perfectly "learn, keep, and do" the law, Jesus perfectly embodied this call, living a life of complete and unwavering obedience to the Father's will (e.g., [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (e.g., [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), demonstrating its righteous demands and revealing its ultimate purpose. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for sinful humanity to be reconciled to God, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, He empowers believers to live lives of new obedience, writing God's law on our hearts (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - God's Law Written on Hearts")). Thus, the "hear and do" imperative of Deuteronomy 5:1 is not merely a legalistic demand but a gracious invitation to participate in the life of Christ, who enables us to truly fulfill the Spirit of the Law through faith and love (e.g., [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law and the Spirit")). He is the true "Moses" who delivers a new covenant, not of external law, but of internal transformation, leading us into our ultimate inheritance in Him (e.g., [Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1 "Hebrews 3:1-6 - Christ Greater Than Moses")).

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 4:1

¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

Matthew 23:3

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Deuteronomy 29:10

¶ Ye stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, [with] all the men of Israel,

Deuteronomy 1:1

¶ These [be] the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red [sea], between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Deuteronomy 29:2

And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;