Deuteronomy 5

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 5

1¶ And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.

2The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

3The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.

4The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,

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,

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

7Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image, [or] any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters beneath the earth:

9Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me,

10And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

11Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold [him] guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

12Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.

13Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

15And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and [that] the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

16Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

17Thou shalt not kill.

18Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

19Neither shalt thou steal.

20Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

21Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.

22These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

23¶ And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, [even] all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;

24And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

25Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.

26For who [is there of] all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we [have], and lived?

27Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear [it], and do [it].

28And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

30Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.

31But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do [them] in the land which I give them to possess it.

32Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

33Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and [that it may be] well with you, and [that] ye may prolong [your] days in the land which ye shall possess.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Moses gathers all Israel to reiterate the covenant made at Horeb, emphasizing that the LORD spoke the Ten Commandments directly to the current generation from the midst of the fire. Due to the people's fear of direct divine communication, they requested Moses to mediate further. Moses then recites the Decalogue, urging strict obedience to these foundational laws for their prosperity in the promised land.

Medium Summary

Moses convenes the entire assembly of Israel, reminding them of the covenant established at Mount Horeb, asserting that it was made directly with the generation present. He recounts how the LORD spoke the Ten Commandments to them from the fire, with Moses serving as an intermediary due to the people's terror. Moses then recites the Decalogue, beginning with the command to have no other gods and forbidding idolatry, followed by injunctions against taking God's name in vain and the strict observance of the Sabbath, emphasizing its connection to their deliverance from Egypt. The commandments continue with honoring parents, prohibitions against killing, adultery, stealing, false witness, and coveting. After God delivered these words and inscribed them on stone, the people, overwhelmed by the divine presence, requested Moses to receive further instructions on their behalf, promising to obey. The LORD approved their request, expressing a desire for their continued reverence and obedience for their lasting prosperity. Moses is then instructed to convey all future statutes and judgments to the people, urging them to diligently follow God's commands for a prosperous life in the land they are to possess.

Long Summary

Moses addresses all Israel, calling them to hear and diligently observe the statutes and judgments he is about to declare. He establishes the context by reminding them of the covenant the LORD their God made with them at Horeb, emphasizing that this covenant was directly with the generation standing before him, not solely their ancestors. Moses recounts how the LORD spoke to them face-to-face from the fire on the mount, with Moses himself mediating due to the people's fear of the overwhelming divine presence. He then proceeds to reiterate the Ten Commandments, beginning with the foundational declaration of the LORD as their God who delivered them from Egyptian bondage. The first commandments prohibit having other gods and the creation or worship of graven images, highlighting God's jealousy and His mercy for those who love Him. This is followed by the command not to take the LORD's name in vain, with a warning against guilt. The Sabbath day observance is detailed, requiring rest for all, including servants and animals, and is explicitly linked to their remembrance of being servants in Egypt and God's powerful deliverance. The Decalogue continues with the command to honour parents, promising prolonged days in the land. Subsequent prohibitions include killing, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness against one's neighbour, and coveting anything belonging to one's neighbour, including their spouse, property, or servants. Moses states that these words were spoken by the LORD from the fire, cloud, and darkness, and were inscribed on two tables of stone delivered to him. Following this direct encounter, the people, witnessing the burning mountain and hearing God's voice, expressed profound fear of death if God were to speak directly to them again. They entreated Moses to approach God on their behalf, promising to diligently listen and obey whatever Moses conveyed. The LORD heard their words and affirmed that they had spoken well, expressing a heartfelt wish that they would always maintain such a fearful and obedient heart, ensuring their perpetual well-being and that of their children. Moses is then commanded to send the people back to their tents, while he is to remain to receive all further commandments, statutes, and judgments to teach them for their life in the land they are to possess. Finally, Moses exhorts Israel to carefully observe and do all that the LORD their God has commanded, without deviation, so that they may live long and prosper in the land.

Core Concepts

  • The Horeb CovenantMoses emphasizes that the covenant and its laws were made directly with the present generation of Israelites at Mount Horeb, not just their ancestors, making them personally accountable.
  • Divine RevelationThe LORD spoke the Ten Commandments directly to the Israelites from the midst of fire, cloud, and thick darkness, demonstrating His glory and power.
  • Moses' MediationDue to the people's fear of God's direct voice, Moses served as an intermediary, conveying God's words to them and receiving further instructions on their behalf.
  • The Decalogue (Ten Commandments)The chapter reiterates the ten fundamental laws given by God, covering duties to God and duties to one's neighbor, forming the core of the covenant.
  • Sabbath ObservanceThe command to keep the Sabbath day holy is detailed, emphasizing rest for all within the household and linking it to Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
  • Obedience and ProsperityA recurring theme is that diligent obedience to God's commandments is directly tied to the Israelites' well-being, prolonged life, and prosperity in the land they are to possess.
  • Fear of the LORDThe people's terror at God's direct voice leads them to request mediation, and God expresses a desire for a lasting 'fear' (reverence) that translates into perpetual obedience for their good.