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,

(I stood {H5975} between the LORD {H3068} and you at that time {H6256}, to shew {H5046} you the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}: for ye were afraid {H3372} by reason {H6440} of the fire {H784}, and went not up {H5927} into the mount {H2022};) saying {H559},

At that time I stood between ADONAI and you in order to tell you what ADONAI was saying; because, on account of the fire, you were afraid and wouldn't go up onto the mountain. He said, t

At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount), saying,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:5 describes Moses' pivotal role as an intermediary between the holy God and the fearful Israelites at Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). This verse serves as a crucial preface to Moses' recounting of the Ten Commandments to the new generation on the plains of Moab.

Context

This passage is part of Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered approximately 40 years after the original event at Mount Sinai. He is reminding the new generation, who did not witness the original giving of the Law, of the profound and terrifying experience their parents had. The people's extreme fear of God's direct presence, manifested as a "fire," smoke, and thunder, prevented them from approaching the mountain directly. This necessitated Moses stepping forward to receive and convey God's "word of the LORD" to them. The original event is detailed in Exodus 19 and Exodus 20.

Key Themes

  • Moses' Mediatorial Role: Moses acted as the essential bridge between God and Israel. The phrase "I stood between the LORD and you" highlights his unique position as the one chosen to communicate God's decrees to a people unable to bear the direct manifestation of divine holiness. This foreshadows the greater mediator to come.
  • God's Awesome Holiness and Power: The "fire" on Mount Horeb symbolizes God's consuming holiness and immense power (Deuteronomy 4:24). It instilled a profound and necessary fear in the people, emphasizing the vast chasm between sinful humanity and a perfectly righteous God.
  • The Giving of the Law: This verse sets the stage for the reiteration of the Ten Commandments, which were the foundational laws of the covenant God made with Israel. Moses' role was to "shew you the word of the LORD," making God's will accessible and understandable to the people.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "I stood between" (עָמַדְתִּי בֵּין, ʿāmadtî bên) clearly emphasizes Moses' position as an intercessor. It signifies his function as a go-between, a necessary conduit for divine communication due to the people's incapacity to face God directly. The "fire" (אֵשׁ, ʾēš) is a recurring biblical symbol of God's presence, glory, and sometimes judgment, underscoring His unapproachable nature without a mediator.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 5:5 reminds us of the profound distance between a holy God and sinful humanity, and the inherent need for a mediator. While Moses served as a mediator for the Old Covenant, the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the ultimate and perfect mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), through whom believers can now approach God with confidence, not fear, because of His atoning sacrifice. The verse highlights God's justice and righteousness, yet also His gracious provision for humanity to understand and follow His will.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Galatians 3:19

    ¶ Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

  • Exodus 20:18

    ¶ And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw [it], they removed, and stood afar off.

  • Exodus 20:21

    And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was].

  • Exodus 19:16

    ¶ And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that [was] in the camp trembled.

  • Hebrews 12:18

    ¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

  • Hebrews 12:24

    And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.

  • Hebrews 9:24

    For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
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