Deuteronomy 5:2

The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

The LORD {H3068} our God {H430} made {H3772} a covenant {H1285} with us in Horeb {H2722}.

ADONAI our God made a covenant with us at Horev.

The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:2 serves as a foundational statement in Moses' grand discourse, setting the stage for the reiteration of God's law to the new generation of Israelites. This verse highlights the direct and personal nature of God's interaction with His people.

Context

This verse opens Moses' second major address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The generation that experienced the Exodus from Egypt and received the Law at Mount Sinai (also called Horeb) has largely passed away. Moses, now an old man, is reminding the new generation of their history, God's faithfulness, and the stipulations of the covenant made at Horeb. It is a powerful call to remember and obey, ensuring they do not forget the foundational relationship established with the LORD their God.

Key Themes

  • The Covenant Relationship: The core message is that God actively "made a covenant" with Israel. This wasn't merely a set of rules, but a solemn, binding agreement establishing a unique relationship between the Creator and His chosen people. It signifies God's initiative and commitment.
  • Divine Initiative: The phrase "The LORD our God made a covenant" emphasizes that this relationship originated with God. He chose them, rescued them from Egyptian bondage, and graciously entered into this bond.
  • Historical Foundation: The specific mention of "Horeb" (Mount Sinai) grounds the covenant in a historical event of immense significance, where God's presence was dramatically revealed and the Ten Commandments were first given (see Exodus 20).
  • Corporate Identity: The use of "us" underscores that this covenant was made with the entire nation of Israel, collectively binding them to God and to one another.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berith (Χ‘Φ°ΦΌΧ¨Φ΄Χ™Χͺ). It denotes a solemn, binding agreement between two parties, often initiated by the more powerful party. A berith typically involves promises, obligations, and consequences for obedience or disobedience. It's more than a contract; it implies a deep, often relational, bond that shapes the identity and destiny of the parties involved. In this context, it highlights God's enduring commitment to His people, even as He calls them to faithfulness.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 5:2 reminds us that God is a covenant-making God. Just as He established a covenant with ancient Israel, He has also established a new covenant through Jesus Christ for all who believe. This verse encourages believers today to:

  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Reflect on how God has acted in history and in our own lives, initiating and sustaining His relationship with us.
  • Appreciate Divine Grace: Recognize that our relationship with God is founded on His gracious initiative, not on our merit.
  • Live in Response: Understand that being in covenant with God involves responsibilities and a call to obedience, reflecting our love and trust in Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:23

    Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

  • Exodus 19:5

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:8

    And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

  • Exodus 24:8

    And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled [it] on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

  • Hebrews 9:19

    For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

  • Hebrews 9:23

    ΒΆ [It was] therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

  • Hebrews 8:6

    ΒΆ But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
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