Deuteronomy 5:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:3 stands as a foundational declaration within Moses' recapitulation of the Law, powerfully asserting that the covenant established at Horeb was not a mere historical artifact for a past generation, but a direct, living, and binding agreement with the Israelites standing before him on the plains of Moab. This verse underscores the immediate and personal nature of God's engagement with His people, calling each individual to active participation in their covenant relationship with the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 5 opens with Moses summoning all Israel to hear the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commands them to learn and observe. This chapter specifically recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Horeb (Sinai), a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Verse 3 serves as a crucial interpretive lens for the entire Decalogue that follows ([Deuteronomy 5:6-21](/deuteronomy/5-6 "Deuteronomy 5:6-21 - The Ten Commandments")). It clarifies that the re-presentation of the Law is not a historical anecdote but a present summons. Moses is addressing the generation poised to enter the Promised Land, reminding them of the foundational principles of their national and spiritual identity before they embark on their new life. The preceding verses ([Deuteronomy 4:44-49](/deuteronomy/4-44 "Deuteronomy 4:44-49 - Introduction to the Law")) set the stage for this discourse, establishing Moses' role as the mediator of God's law.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is set on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, as the Israelites conclude their forty years of wilderness wandering. This generation, largely born in the wilderness, stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, the land promised to their ancestors. The "fathers" mentioned in [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") specifically refers to the generation that had come out of Egypt but, due to their rebellion and unbelief at Kadesh-Barnea, had been condemned to die in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - Consequences of Rebellion")). Moses' address, therefore, is not merely a historical review but a profound act of covenant renewal, preparing a new generation for the responsibilities of nationhood under God's law in the Promised Land. Culturally, covenants were well-understood in the ancient Near East, often involving suzerain-vassal treaties, but the Mosaic covenant was unique in its divine initiation and moral demands.

* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") underscores several key themes pervasive in Deuteronomy. Firstly, it highlights the **direct covenant relationship** between God and His people, emphasizing that faith and obedience are not inherited but must be personally embraced by each generation. Secondly, it stresses **generational responsibility**, asserting that the covenant's obligations fall squarely on the shoulders of those alive "this day," preventing complacency or reliance on ancestral piety. Thirdly, the verse introduces the theme of **covenant renewal**, which is the overarching purpose of Deuteronomy itself—to re-present and re-affirm the stipulations of the Sinai covenant to a new generation. Finally, it reinforces the **uniqueness of the Mosaic Law**, distinguishing it from prior covenants (like the Abrahamic covenant in [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Abrahamic Covenant")) by emphasizing its specific, immediate, and binding nature for the community gathered before Moses.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** This term (בְּרִית) signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often established by an oath and involving mutual obligations, though in the biblical context, God typically initiates and defines the terms. In [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation"), it refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant, given at Horeb, which laid out the legal and moral framework for Israel's relationship with Yahweh, distinguishing it from general promises or earlier pacts.
* **Fathers (Hebrew, _ʾāḇôṯ'_):** The plural form (אָבוֹת) refers to the preceding generation of Israelites, specifically those who participated in the Exodus from Egypt but subsequently perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief, as detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and Punishment"). Moses' distinction here is crucial: while the covenant was *made* with the collective nation at Horeb, its *present binding force* and *lived reality* were with the generation standing before him.
* **Alive this day (Hebrew, _ḥayyîm hayyôm'_):** The phrase (חַיִּים הַיּוֹם) is highly emphatic, literally "living today." It underscores the immediate, personal, and existential relevance of the covenant to the specific individuals listening to Moses. This is not a historical lesson but a call to present-day commitment and obedience, highlighting that the covenant's obligations are not inherited passively but must be actively embraced by each living member of the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers":** This clause clarifies that while the previous generation was indeed present at Horeb and received the covenant, their subsequent rebellion and failure to enter the Promised Land effectively nullified their active participation in its ongoing fulfillment. It's a rhetorical move by Moses to emphasize that the *current* generation cannot simply rest on the laurels or failures of their predecessors; they have a distinct and immediate responsibility. The "fathers" here are primarily those who died in the wilderness, not the patriarchs like Abraham.
* **"but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day":** This is the emphatic core of the verse, powerfully asserting the direct and personal nature of the covenant for the audience. The repetition of "us" (first as the objective pronoun, then as the emphatic subject pronoun, אֲנַחְנוּ) combined with "all of us here alive this day" creates an undeniable sense of present engagement and accountability. It means the covenant is not a distant historical event but a living, binding agreement with the very individuals listening to Moses' words, demanding their personal commitment and obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Moses employs several powerful literary devices in [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") to drive home his message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting "our fathers" against "us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day." This stark juxtaposition highlights the generational shift and the immediate, personal responsibility of the current audience. Closely related is **Emphasis**, achieved through the repetition of "us" and the comprehensive phrase "all of us here alive this day." This rhetorical piling up of pronouns and descriptors ensures that no one in the audience can feel excluded from the covenant's demands. There is also an element of **Direct Address**, as Moses speaks directly to the assembled Israelites, drawing them into the urgency and immediacy of his message. These devices work in concert to make the covenant not a historical relic, but a vibrant, present pact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:3 serves as a foundational theological statement, underscoring the dynamic and personal nature of God's covenant relationship with humanity. It refutes the notion of inherited piety, asserting that while a covenant may be established with a collective, its obligations and blessings require active, personal engagement from each successive generation. This verse highlights the principle of individual and corporate accountability before God, emphasizing that God's commands are not merely historical records but living words that demand a present-day response of faith and obedience. It sets the stage for understanding that the covenant is not static but requires ongoing renewal and commitment from those who are "alive this day."

* [Deuteronomy 29:14-15](/deuteronomy/29-14 "Deuteronomy 29:14-15 - Covenant with Future Generations")
* [Joshua 24:15](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve")
* [Ezekiel 18:20](/ezekiel/18-20 "Ezekiel 18:20 - Individual Responsibility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:3 profoundly challenges us to consider the nature of our own relationship with God. It reminds us that faith is not a passive inheritance from our parents or a historical curiosity from past generations, but a vibrant, personal commitment required of each individual "alive this day." We cannot rely solely on the spiritual heritage of our ancestors or the collective faith of our community; instead, we are called to a direct, active, and personal covenant with the LORD. This means engaging with God's Word not as an ancient text, but as a living guide for our present lives, demanding our obedience, trust, and devotion. It compels us to ask if we are truly living in covenant with God today, or merely benefiting from the faith of others. Our spiritual vitality depends on our personal response to God's ongoing invitation to relationship and obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like the Israelites, be tempted to treat our faith as an inherited tradition rather than a personal, living covenant?**
* **What does it mean for you personally to be "alive this day" in covenant with God? How does this translate into your daily choices and commitments?**
* **How can we ensure that our faith is not merely intellectual assent to historical truths, but a dynamic, active relationship with the living God?**

### FAQ

**Does Deuteronomy 5:3 imply that the covenant with the fathers was completely nullified?**

Answer: No, [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") does not imply a complete nullification of the covenant with the previous generation. Rather, it emphasizes the *present and binding nature* of the covenant for the generation standing before Moses. The covenant at Horeb was indeed made with the entire nation that came out of Egypt. However, due to their disobedience and unbelief, particularly at Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - Consequences of Rebellion")), that generation forfeited their right to enter the Promised Land. Moses' statement highlights that the covenant's obligations and blessings now fall directly upon *this* new generation, who are poised to inherit the land. It's a call to personal accountability and renewal, ensuring that the covenant remains a living reality for those "alive this day," not merely a historical event. The covenant itself, as God's commitment, remained, but its active fulfillment and the enjoyment of its blessings required the obedience of each generation.

**How does this verse relate to the Abrahamic Covenant?**

Answer: [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") refers specifically to the Mosaic (or Sinaitic) Covenant, which is distinct from the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant ([Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18 - The Abrahamic Covenant")) was an unconditional promise of land, descendants, and blessing, initiated by God with Abraham. The Mosaic Covenant, while building upon the Abrahamic promises, introduced specific legal and moral stipulations (the Law) that governed Israel's life as a nation in the Promised Land. It was conditional upon Israel's obedience. Moses' point in [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") is to emphasize that the *Mosaic* Law, with its detailed requirements, was given directly to the generation present at Horeb and now, crucially, to the generation "alive this day." It clarifies the immediate and personal relevance of the Law for their national identity and worship, distinct from the broader, unconditional promises made to their distant ancestors.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:3, with its powerful emphasis on a direct, personal, and present covenant relationship, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. While the Mosaic covenant was made with a specific nation at a specific time, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus, is made with individuals from every nation who are "alive this day" in Him. Just as Moses declared that the Sinai covenant was not merely for the "fathers" but for those present, so too the New Covenant demands a personal, active response of faith from each believer. We are not saved by the faith of our ancestors or by inherited religious tradition, but by a direct encounter with the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, we enter into a "better covenant" ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")) mediated by a superior High Priest ([Hebrews 7:22](/hebrews/7-22 "Hebrews 7:22 - Jesus, the Guarantor of a Better Covenant")). The law, written on tablets of stone in the Old Covenant, is now, by the power of the Spirit, written on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")). Thus, [Deuteronomy 5:3](/deuteronomy/5-3 "Deuteronomy 5:3 - The Covenant with the Present Generation") foreshadows the intensely personal and transformative nature of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, calling every generation to a living, present faith.

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 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 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

¶ 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.