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Commentary on Deuteronomy 5 verses 6–22
Here is the repetition of the ten commandments, in which observe, 1. Though they had been spoken before, and written, yet they are again rehearsed; for precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, and all little enough to keep the word of God in our minds and to preserve and renew the impressions of it. We have need to have the same things often inculcated upon us. See Phi 3:1. 2. There is some variation here from that record (Ex. 20), as there is between the Lord's prayer as it is in Mt. 6 and as it is Lu. 11. In both it is more necessary that we tie ourselves to the things than to the words unalterably. 3. The most considerable variation is in the fourth commandment. In Ex. 20 the reason annexed is taken from the creation of the world; here it is taken from their deliverance out of Egypt, because that was typical of our redemption by Jesus Christ, in remembrance of which the Christian sabbath was to be observed: Remember that thou wast a servant, and God brought thee out, Deu 5:15. And Therefore, (1.) "It is fit that thy servants should be favoured by the sabbath-rest; for thou knowest the heart of a servant, and how welcome one day's ease will be after six days' labour." (2.) "It is fit that thy God should be honoured by the sabbath-work, and the religious services of the day, in consideration of the great things he has done for thee." In the resurrection of Christ we were brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore, by the gospel-edition of the law, we are directed to observe the first day of the week, in remembrance of that glorious work of power and grace. 4. It is added in the fifth commandment, That it may go well with thee, which addition the apostle quotes, and puts first (Eph 6:3), that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long. If there be instances of some that have been very dutiful to their parents, and yet have not lived long upon earth, we may reconcile it to the promise by this explication of it, Whether they live long or no, it shall go well with them, either in this world or in a better. See Ecc 8:12. 5. The last five commandments are connected or coupled together, which they are not in Exodus: Neither shalt thou commit adultery, neither shalt thou steal, etc., which intimate that God's commands are all of a piece: the same authority that obliges us to one obliges us to another; and we must not be partial in the law, but have respect to all God's commandments, for he that offends in one point is guilty of all, Jam 2:10, Jam 2:11. 6. That these commandments were given with a great deal of awful solemnity, Deu 5:22. (1.) They were spoken with a great voice out of the fire, and thick darkness. That was a dispensation of terror, designed to make the gospel of grace the more welcome, and to be a specimen of the terrors of the judgment-day, Psa 50:3, Psa 50:4. (2.) He added no more. What other laws he gave them were sent by Moses, but no more were spoken in the same manner that the ten commandments were. He added no more, therefore we must not add: the law of the Lord is perfect. (3.) He wrote them in two tables of stone, that they might be preserved from corruption, and might be transmitted pure and entire to posterity, for whose use they were intended, as well as for the present generation. These being the heads of the covenant, the chest in which the written tables were deposited was called the ark of the covenant. See Rev 11:19.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:6 serves as the profound preamble to the Ten Commandments, a divine self-declaration establishing the identity of Israel's covenant God and recalling His pivotal redemptive act. It succinctly encapsulates Yahweh's sovereign authority and His gracious deliverance of His people from the brutal slavery of Egypt, thereby setting the indispensable context for the covenant stipulations that follow and grounding all subsequent commands in a history of divine grace and power.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. It begins with a direct Proclamation or Divine Self-Revelation ("I am the LORD thy God"), immediately establishing the speaker's identity and supreme authority. This direct address creates an intimate, personal tone, emphasizing God's unique relationship with Israel. The verse then utilizes Historical Reference by recalling the seminal event of the Exodus ("which brought thee out of the land of Egypt"), grounding the divine commands in a verifiable, shared experience of redemption. This historical anchor makes God's authority concrete and His love undeniable. Furthermore, the phrase "house of bondage" functions as a potent Metaphor, vividly portraying the depth of Israel's servitude and the magnitude of their liberation, making the concept of slavery more tangible and emotionally resonant. Finally, the entire verse serves as a Covenant Formula Prologue, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern treaties where the suzerain identifies himself and recounts his benevolent deeds before outlining the treaty stipulations, thereby establishing the foundation and justification for the covenant laws that follow.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This foundational verse establishes God's sovereignty and redemptive character as the absolute basis for all ethical and moral demands. It teaches that true obedience flows not from fear or an attempt to earn favor, but from a grateful response to a God who has already acted decisively to save. The declaration "I am the LORD thy God" underscores the uniqueness and exclusivity of Yahweh as Israel's only legitimate object of worship and allegiance, setting the stage for the first commandment against idolatry and polytheism. The Exodus event, as the ultimate demonstration of God's power over oppressive forces, becomes the paradigm for all subsequent acts of salvation, both national and individual. It profoundly reveals God as a God of justice who liberates the oppressed and a God of grace who initiates a covenant relationship with an undeserving people, calling them to a life of responsive holiness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:6 calls believers today to a profound remembrance and reorientation of their faith. Just as the Israelites were to recall their physical liberation from Egypt, we are called to remember our spiritual "Exodus" from the "house of bondage" to sin, death, and the dominion of darkness. This verse reminds us that our relationship with God is fundamentally rooted in His initiative and His powerful act of redemption, not in our own merit, effort, or legalistic performance. Our obedience to God's commands, therefore, is not a means to earn salvation or favor, but a joyful, grateful, and loving response to the One who has already set us free. This understanding fosters a deep sense of gratitude, humility, and trust, transforming what might otherwise be perceived as burdensome duty into delightful devotion. It challenges us to continually recognize God as our ultimate Deliverer in every area of life, allowing His past faithfulness to inspire present and future trust, and to live as people truly liberated for His purposes and glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this verse placed before the Ten Commandments?
Answer: This verse serves as a crucial preamble to the Ten Commandments, establishing the identity and absolute authority of the Lawgiver before the laws themselves are given. It grounds the commands in God's prior redemptive act, reminding Israel that the laws are not arbitrary but come from the One who graciously delivered them from slavery. It emphasizes that their obedience is a response of profound gratitude and loyalty to their Redeemer, not a means to earn His favor. This structure mirrors ancient Near Eastern covenant treaties, where the suzerain's identity and benevolent deeds were listed first to justify the subsequent stipulations and secure the vassal's allegiance.
What is the significance of God's name "LORD" (YHWH) in this verse?
Answer: The name "LORD" (Hebrew: YHWH, often pronounced Yahweh) is God's personal, covenantal name, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal." Its use here signifies that the God who is giving these commandments is the same faithful God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) and who personally entered into a covenant relationship with Israel. It emphasizes His unchanging nature, His commitment to His promises, and His intimate relationship with His people. This personal revelation underscores that the relationship with Israel is intimate and exclusive, forming the basis for the unique demands of the covenant.
How does the Exodus event relate to God's commands?
Answer: The Exodus is the pivotal historical event that defines God's relationship with Israel and provides the foundational motivation for their obedience to His commands. God's act of bringing them "out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" demonstrates His sovereign power, His justice in liberating the oppressed, and His faithful love. The commands that follow are therefore not burdensome rules but the expected response of a people who have been graciously set free. Their freedom is not for lawlessness, but for living in covenant with the God who redeemed them, transforming them from slaves of Pharaoh to servants of the living God, as seen in passages like Romans 6:1-2 and Romans 6:17-18.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:6 finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Just as God delivered Israel from physical slavery in Egypt, Jesus Christ accomplishes a far greater "Exodus" for humanity, liberating us from the spiritual "house of bondage" to sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. The declaration "I am the LORD thy God" foreshadows the divine identity of Jesus, who is God incarnate, the very Word of God through whom all things were created and sustained (Colossians 1:16-17). His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection constitute the ultimate act of bringing us out of spiritual slavery, paying the ransom for our sins and setting us truly free (1 Peter 1:18-19). This new deliverance is not merely a historical event but a personal transformation, as believers are "delivered... from the power of darkness and conveyed... into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13). Therefore, our obedience to Christ's commands and our pursuit of holiness are not legalistic efforts to earn salvation, but a grateful and loving response to the One who has already redeemed us and called us to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21). He is our ultimate Deliverer, and His completed work is the foundation for our new life in Him, enabling us to walk in righteousness and true freedom.