Deuteronomy 5:24

KJV

And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed 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 doth talk with man, and he liveth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye said {H559}, Behold, the LORD {H3068} our God {H430} hath shewed {H7200} us his glory {H3519} and his greatness {H1433}, and we have heard {H8085} his voice {H6963} out of the midst {H8432} of the fire {H784}: we have seen {H7200} this day {H3117} that God {H430} doth talk {H1696} with man {H120}, and he liveth {H2425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.

American Standard Version

and ye said, Behold, Jehovah our God hath showed 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 doth speak with man, and he liveth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:24 captures the profound awe and astonishment of the Israelites as they recounted their direct encounter with God at Mount Horeb. Having witnessed the visible manifestation of His "glory and greatness" and heard His audible "voice out of the midst of the fire," the people were overwhelmed by the unprecedented reality that the transcendent God had spoken directly to humanity, and they had survived. This verse encapsulates their realization of God's unique power, His desire for relationship, and the miraculous grace extended to them in the covenant moment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 5 opens Moses' second major address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter serves as a solemn restatement and re-emphasis of the Ten Commandments, originally given at Mount Horeb (Sinai) forty years prior. Moses recounts the awe-inspiring theophany at the mountain, reminding the people of the direct, terrifying, and foundational encounter they or their parents had with Yahweh. Verse 24 specifically records the people's fearful and astonished response to hearing God's voice directly, immediately preceding their request for Moses to act as an intermediary, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 5:25-27](/deuteronomy/5-25 "Deuteronomy 5:25-27 - The People's Request for an Intermediary"). This sets the stage for Moses' role as prophet and law-giver, bridging the gap between a holy God and His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law at Mount Horeb was a singular event in ancient Near Eastern history. Unlike the gods of surrounding nations, who were often depicted as capricious or distant, the God of Israel actively revealed Himself, establishing a covenant with a specific people. In many ancient cultures, a direct encounter with the divine was believed to be fatal, a concept not entirely absent from Israelite thought (e.g., [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live")). The Israelites' survival after hearing God's voice from the fire was therefore a profound miracle, underscoring the unique nature of their God and His gracious intent. The wilderness setting, the fiery mountain, and the audible voice were all elements of a dramatic, sensory experience designed to impress upon the nascent nation the holiness and power of their covenant Lord.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 5:24 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing God's active choice to make Himself known not just through signs and wonders, but through direct, audible speech. The verse also underscores the paradox of God's **Immanence and Transcendence**; though infinitely holy and dwelling in unapproachable light, He drew near to His people in a tangible way. The people's astonishment at their survival ("God doth talk with man, and he liveth") foregrounds the theme of **God's Grace and Preservation**, demonstrating His desire for relationship over destruction. Finally, the awe and fear expressed by the people contribute to the overarching theme of **Reverence and Obedience** to the Lord, which is central to Moses' exhortations throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Addresses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** The Hebrew word כָּבוֹד (_kavod_) literally means "weight," "heaviness," or "substance." In a theological context, it refers to the manifest presence, honor, and substantial reality of God. When the Israelites declared that the LORD "hath shewed us his glory," they were testifying to a tangible, overwhelming display of God's inherent majesty and divine presence, which was both visible (fire, cloud) and audible (voice). It signifies the weighty, impactful nature of God's self-revelation.
* **Greatness (Hebrew, _godel'_):** The term גֹּדֶל (_godel_) denotes magnitude, immensity, and majesty. When paired with "glory," it emphasizes the vastness, power, and incomparable superiority of God. The Israelites were not merely observing a powerful phenomenon but recognizing the infinite scale of the One behind it – His dominion, His might, and His unsearchable nature. This word highlights the qualitative difference between God and all creation, inspiring profound awe.
* **Voice (Hebrew, _qol'_):** The Hebrew word קוֹל (_qol_) refers to an audible sound or voice. In this context, it signifies direct, articulate communication from God. The emphasis is not merely on a sound, but on a distinct, intelligible voice that conveyed commandments. This direct auditory experience was central to the people's terror and conviction, as it meant God Himself was speaking, not through an intermediary, but "out of the midst of the fire," making His presence undeniably real and immediate.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness":** This opening clause captures the collective declaration of the Israelite people, expressing their profound astonishment and direct witness. "Behold" (הֵן, _hen_) functions as an exclamation, drawing attention to something remarkable and undeniable. They affirm that Yahweh, their covenant God, had visibly and tangibly displayed His inherent majesty and immense power to them, a revelation of His very being.
* **"and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire":** This clause emphasizes the auditory component of the theophany. The "fire" was the visible manifestation of God's presence, and from within it, His voice emanated directly. This was not a mediated message but a direct, terrifying, and undeniable communication from the divine presence itself, confirming the reality of His active engagement with them.
* **"we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.":** This final clause articulates the core theological insight and miracle of the experience. In a world where divine encounters were often associated with death (e.g., [Judges 13:22](/judges/13-22 "Judges 13:22 - We Shall Surely Die, Because We Have Seen God")), the Israelites' survival after such a direct and overwhelming encounter with God was nothing short of miraculous. It underscored God's unique grace and His desire for a living relationship with His people, rather than their destruction.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:24 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the profound impact of the Sinai experience. The most prominent is **Theophany**, the visible and audible manifestation of God. The descriptions of "glory," "greatness," and "voice out of the midst of the fire" vividly portray this divine appearance, emphasizing its overwhelming sensory nature. The phrase "God doth talk with man, and he liveth" functions as an expression of **Astonishment and Awe**, bordering on **Hyperbole**, given the prevailing ancient Near Eastern belief that direct divine encounter would result in death. This statement highlights the miraculous grace extended to Israel. The use of **Repetition** in the verbs "shewed us," "heard," and "seen" underscores the direct, multi-sensory, and undeniable nature of the people's experience, solidifying the reality of God's revelation in their collective memory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:24 stands as a monumental declaration of God's active and personal revelation to humanity. It underscores the unique nature of the God of Israel, who, unlike the silent or distant deities of other nations, chose to speak directly to His people, establishing an intimate covenant relationship. This verse highlights the paradox of God's transcendence and immanence: He is so holy and powerful that His unmediated presence is terrifying, yet He is so gracious that He draws near to humanity without consuming them. The people's survival after hearing His voice is a testament to His preserving grace and His desire for a living, obedient relationship, setting the stage for the entire covenant relationship based on revealed law. This foundational experience shaped Israel's identity as a people who had uniquely heard God's voice and lived.

* [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No One Can See God and Live")
* [Hebrews 12:18-24](/hebrews/12-18 "Hebrews 12:18-24 - Sinai vs. Zion")
* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:24 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us of the awesome reality of God's desire to communicate with humanity. Just as the Israelites were overwhelmed by God's manifest presence and direct voice, we too are called to approach Him with deep reverence and awe, recognizing His infinite "glory and greatness." This verse affirms that our God is not silent or distant but actively seeks to be known. While we no longer hear His voice from a fiery mountain, He speaks powerfully and clearly through His inspired Word, the Bible, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The miracle of the Israelites' survival after hearing God's voice should fill us with gratitude for His preserving grace, which culminates in Christ, allowing us to draw near to Him not in terror, but in humble confidence. This ancient encounter invites us to cultivate a posture of listening, obedience, and profound worship in our daily walk with the living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Israelites' reaction to God's voice at Sinai inform your understanding of God's holiness and power?**
* **In what ways do you experience God's "glory and greatness" in your life today, and how does that shape your worship?**
* **What does it mean for you that "God doth talk with man, and he liveth," especially in light of God's continued communication through His Word and Spirit?**
* **How can reflecting on this awe-inspiring encounter deepen your reverence and obedience to God?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so significant that the Israelites lived after hearing God's voice directly?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern thought, and even within some biblical passages like [Exodus 33:20](/exodus/33-20 "Exodus 33:20 - No Man Can See God and Live"), a direct, unmediated encounter with the full glory of God was believed to be fatal for sinful humanity. The Israelites' astonishment, "we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth," highlights the miraculous nature of their survival. It underscored God's unique grace and His deliberate choice to preserve His people, not to destroy them, in order to establish a covenant relationship. Their survival was a profound demonstration of His mercy and His desire for communion, setting Him apart from other deities and emphasizing the special, gracious nature of His covenant with Israel.

**How does this ancient event relate to how God speaks to humanity today?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 5:24 establishes a foundational truth: God is a communicative God who desires to reveal Himself. While the direct, audible voice from a fiery mountain was a unique, unrepeatable historical event, God continues to speak to humanity today. Primarily, He speaks through His inspired written Word, the Bible, which is His complete and authoritative revelation (e.g., [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")). He also speaks through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who illuminates the Scriptures, guides believers, and convicts hearts (e.g., [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You")). Furthermore, God reveals His "glory and greatness" through creation (e.g., [Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare the Glory of God")) and, supremely, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:24, with its terrifying yet miraculous account of God speaking directly to humanity, finds its ultimate and most gracious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. At Sinai, God's glory was revealed in fire and thunder, inspiring fear and a plea for mediation, for "God doth talk with man, and he liveth" was a shocking paradox. Yet, in Christ, the very "glory of God" is fully embodied and perfectly revealed not in consuming fire, but in human flesh (e.g., [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus is the Word made flesh, the ultimate and perfect mediator through whom God speaks to us (e.g., [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ removes the barrier of sin that once made direct divine encounter fatal, allowing humanity to not only hear God's voice but to draw near to Him with confidence (e.g., [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Draw Near to the Throne of Grace")). The awe of Sinai is transformed into the worship of Calvary, where we behold God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ (e.g., [2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ")), enabling us to truly "live" in His presence through the new covenant.

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

Exodus 19:19

And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

Deuteronomy 4:33

Did [ever] people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

Exodus 33:20

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Deuteronomy 5:4

The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,

Deuteronomy 5:5

(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

Judges 13:22

And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.