Deuteronomy 5:3

The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

The LORD {H3068} made {H3772} not this covenant {H1285} with our fathers {H1}, but with us {H587}, even us, who are all of us {H428} here alive {H2416} this day {H3117}.

ADONAI did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us -with us, who are all of us here alive today.

He did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today.

Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:3 is a pivotal statement within Moses' recounting of the Law to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. This verse clarifies the direct and personal nature of the covenant God made with them, distinguishing it from prior generations.

Context of the Covenant

The book of Deuteronomy serves as Moses' final address to the second generation of Israelites, those who had grown up during the forty years of wilderness wandering. They stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, poised to inherit what their parents had forfeited due to disobedience. Moses is not merely recounting history; he is re-presenting and re-interpreting the Law given at Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb in Deuteronomy) to a people who were either too young or not yet born when the original covenant was ratified. The "fathers" mentioned here refer to the generation that died in the wilderness, whose rebellion led to their exclusion from Canaan (see Numbers 14:29-35).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Direct Covenant Relationship: This verse powerfully emphasizes that the Mosaic covenant was not merely a historical event for a past generation, but a living, binding agreement with the Israelites standing before Moses "this day." It highlights God's personal and immediate engagement with His people.
  • Personal and Generational Responsibility: By stating, "not this covenant with our fathers, but with us," Moses underscores that each generation has a direct responsibility to uphold God's law. Faith and obedience are not inherited but must be personally embraced and lived out.
  • Covenant Renewal: Deuteronomy itself is a profound act of covenant renewal. Moses is calling the new generation to reaffirm their commitment to the LORD and His commandments before they enter the land, ensuring the continuity of their special relationship with God.
  • The Uniqueness of the Mosaic Law: While God had made earlier promises and covenants, such as the Abrahamic covenant, the specific legal and moral stipulations of the Ten Commandments (recounted in Deuteronomy 5:6-21) and the broader Law were unique to this community at this time, forming the basis of their national identity and worship.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is bแต‰rรฎyth (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช), which implies a solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by God and involving mutual obligations. The emphatic phrase "but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day" (ื•ึฐืึดืชึผึธื ื•ึผ ืึฒื ึทื—ึฐื ื•ึผ ืึตืœึผึถื” ืคึนื” ื”ึทื™ึผื•ึนื ื›ึปึผืœึผึธื ื•ึผ ื—ึทื™ึผึดื™ื) strongly underscores the direct and present application of this covenant. It's not a historical relic but a vibrant, immediate pact with the very individuals listening to Moses' words.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 5:3 carries timeless significance. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not based solely on the faith of our ancestors, but requires a personal commitment. While we benefit from the heritage of faith, each individual is called to a direct, living relationship with God and His word. This verse encourages active engagement with biblical truth, emphasizing that God's commands are given for our benefit and require our present-day obedience and faithfulness. It teaches us that God's covenant love is dynamic, inviting every generation to enter into and uphold its terms.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 29:10

    ยถ 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 29:15

    But with [him] that standeth here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with [him] that [is] not here with us this day:

  • Psalms 105:8

    ยถ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations.

  • Psalms 105:10

    And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, [and] to Israel [for] an everlasting covenant:

  • Matthew 13:17

    For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

  • Galatians 3:17

    And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

  • Galatians 3:21

    [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
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