Deuteronomy 5:6

KJV

¶ I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, which brought thee out {H3318} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, from the house {H1004} of bondage {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, where you lived as slaves. c

Berean Standard Bible

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

American Standard Version

I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** The book of Deuteronomy, meaning "second law," presents Moses' final addresses to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This book functions as a covenant renewal document, reiterating and expounding upon the laws and principles given at Mount Sinai. [Deuteronomy 5](/deuteronomy/5 "Deuteronomy 5 - The Ten Commandments Restated") specifically recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments, a restatement of the original covenant given at Mount Sinai, as found in [Exodus 20](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). This verse, [Deuteronomy 5:6](/deuteronomy/5-6 "Deuteronomy 5:6 - The Preamble to the Decalogue"), functions as the authoritative prologue to the entire Decalogue, establishing the identity of the Lawgiver and the basis of His authority before any command is uttered. It reminds the people that the laws are not arbitrary burdens but flow from a relationship initiated by divine grace and power, making obedience a response to redemption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, the Israelites stand on the precipice of entering Canaan, forty years after their miraculous liberation from Egypt. The generation that witnessed the Exodus firsthand had largely passed away, making Moses' reiteration of their history and God's faithfulness crucial for this new generation. This context emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past acts of deliverance as the foundation for future obedience. Culturally, the phrase "house of bondage" vividly recalls the brutal reality of Egyptian slavery, where Israel was subjected to forced labor and oppression under Pharaoh's tyrannical rule. This historical experience of profound suffering and subsequent divine rescue was central to their national identity and understanding of God. Furthermore, the structure of this preamble mirrors ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where a great king (suzerain) would introduce himself and recount his benevolent acts towards his vassal before listing the treaty stipulations. This format underscores God's supreme authority and His gracious initiative in establishing the covenant with Israel, framing the commandments not as arbitrary rules but as the just requirements of a benevolent king.
* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 5:6](/deuteronomy/5-6 "Deuteronomy 5:6 - The Preamble to the Decalogue") introduces several foundational themes that permeate the book of Deuteronomy and the entire Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Identity and Sovereignty**, declaring God as "the LORD thy God," emphasizing His unique, covenantal name (Yahweh) and His singular authority over Israel. This immediately establishes Him as distinct from the pagan deities of surrounding nations and demands exclusive allegiance, a theme echoed throughout the call to "love the LORD your God with all your heart" in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - The Great Commandment"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Redemption and Deliverance**, pointing back to the seminal event of the Exodus, which is repeatedly referenced throughout Deuteronomy as the cornerstone of Israel's relationship with God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:21](/deuteronomy/6-21 "Deuteronomy 6:21 - Remembering the Exodus")). This act of liberation from the "house of bondage" serves as the primary demonstration of God's power, love, and faithfulness. Finally, this redemptive history forms the **Basis for Obedience and Covenant Loyalty**. The commands that follow are not arbitrary burdens but are presented as the appropriate response of a people who have been graciously rescued and brought into a special covenant relationship with their Deliverer, as seen in the call to "walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you" ([Deuteronomy 5:33](/deuteronomy/5-33 "Deuteronomy 5:33 - Walking in God's Way")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal, covenantal name, often rendered "Yahweh." It signifies God's self-existence ("the self-Existent or Eternal") and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, as revealed in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "God's Name, I AM"). In this context, it emphasizes that the Lawgiver is not an impersonal force but the personal God who actively entered into a relationship with Israel and keeps His word, establishing the intimate and reliable nature of the covenant.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** From H430, this term is a plural noun used singularly to refer to the supreme God. While a general term for deity, when used with "the LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) and applied to Israel's God, it signifies His absolute power, sovereignty, and uniqueness as the Creator and Ruler of all. Here, it underscores His supreme authority over Israel and all creation, distinguishing Him from any other so-called gods and demanding exclusive worship.
* **house of bondage (Hebrew, _bêt 'ăbādîm'_):** This evocative phrase, combining H1004 (_bayith_, "house") and H5650 (_ʻebed_, "servant" or "bondage"), literally means "house of slaves" or "house of servitude." It powerfully portrays the oppressive and dehumanizing nature of Israel's slavery in Egypt. Far from being a mere political subjugation, it describes a state of total enslavement, physical and spiritual, making God's act of bringing them out a profound liberation from utter despair and systemic oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] the LORD thy God":** This opening declaration is a profound self-revelation of the divine Lawgiver. "I am" asserts God's eternal existence, self-sufficiency, and unchanging nature. "The LORD" (Yᵉhôvâh) emphasizes His personal, covenantal relationship with Israel, while "thy God" (ʼĕlôhîym) highlights His unique claim and absolute authority over them. This establishes the personal and relational basis for the commandments that follow, asserting that the laws come from the One who has chosen and bound Himself to Israel in an exclusive covenant.
* **"which brought thee out of the land of Egypt":** This clause immediately grounds God's authority in His mighty redemptive act. The Exodus from Egypt, involving the verb H3318 (_yâtsâʼ_, "to go out" or "bring out"), was the defining historical event for Israel, demonstrating God's power, faithfulness, and love. It serves as the tangible proof of His identity and His commitment to His people, making His subsequent commands not arbitrary but the just and loving requirements of a Deliverer who has already acted decisively on their behalf.
* **"from the house of bondage":** This final phrase vividly describes the severity of the oppression from which God delivered Israel. "House of bondage" is a potent metaphor for a place of absolute servitude, suffering, and dehumanization. By rescuing them from such a state, God not only demonstrated His omnipotence but also His profound compassion and justice, reinforcing the profound gratitude, loyalty, and exclusive devotion expected from His liberated people. Their freedom was not for lawlessness, but for covenant relationship.

#### 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.

* [Exodus 20:2](/exodus/20-2 "The Parallel Decalogue Preamble")
* [Leviticus 26:13](/leviticus/26-13 "God as Deliverer and Liberator")
* [Psalm 81:10](/psalms/81-10 "God's Deliverance and Demand for Exclusivity")

### 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
* **In what ways do I still experience "bondage" in my life, and how does remembering God as my Deliverer offer hope and a path to freedom?**
* **How does understanding God's redemptive act as the foundational basis for His commands change my motivation for obedience and my perception of His law?**
* **How can I more consistently recall, celebrate, and testify to God's past acts of deliverance in my own life and in the grand narrative of salvation history?**

### 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](/exodus/3-14 "God's Name, I AM")) 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](/romans/6-1 "Freedom from Sin, Not for Sin") and [Romans 6:17-18](/romans/6-17 "Romans 6:17-18 - Slaves of Righteousness").

### 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](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). 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](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")). 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](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). 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](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Glorious Liberty")). 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.

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 20:2

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:17

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

Psalms 81:5

This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] I understood not.

Psalms 81:10

I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Deuteronomy 4:4

But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God [are] alive every one of you this day.

Leviticus 26:1

¶ Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up [any] image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I [am] the LORD your God.

Leviticus 26:2

Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I [am] the LORD.