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.
2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, [even] us, who [are] all of us here alive this day.
4 The 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.
7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
8 Thou 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:
9 Thou 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,
10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
11 Thou 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.
12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
14 But 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.
15 And 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.
16 Honour 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.
17 Thou shalt not kill.
18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
19 Neither shalt thou steal.
20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
21 Neither 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.
22 These 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;
24 And 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.
25 Now 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.
26 For 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?
27 Go 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].
28 And 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.
29 O 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!
30 Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.
31 But 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.
32 Ye 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.
33 Ye 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.
Overview of Deuteronomy Chapter 5
Deuteronomy Chapter 5 is a pivotal text in the Hebrew Bible, where Moses reiterates the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. This chapter serves as a reminder of the covenant between God and His people, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s laws.
Structure of the Chapter
The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
- Introduction to the Covenant (Verses 1-3)
- The Ten Commandments (Verses 4-21)
- Call to Obedience (Verses 22-33)
Introduction to the Covenant (Verses 1-3)
Moses gathers the Israelites and reminds them of the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai). He emphasizes that this covenant is not just for their ancestors but for all generations, highlighting the ongoing relationship between God and His people.
- Moses calls the people to listen to the statutes and judgments.
- He reminds them of God’s voice speaking directly to them.
- The covenant is a living agreement that requires active participation.
The Ten Commandments (Verses 4-21)
The core of this chapter consists of the Ten Commandments, which serve as foundational ethical and moral guidelines for the Israelite community. Each commandment is presented with a focus on its significance and implications for daily life.
- First Commandment: No other gods before Me (Verse 7)
- Second Commandment: No graven images (Verse 8)
- Third Commandment: Do not take the Lord’s name in vain (Verse 11)
- Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day (Verse 12)
- Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and mother (Verse 16)
- Sixth Commandment: Do not murder (Verse 17)
- Seventh Commandment: Do not commit adultery (Verse 18)
- Eighth Commandment: Do not steal (Verse 19)
- Ninth Commandment: Do not bear false witness (Verse 20)
- Tenth Commandment: Do not covet (Verse 21)
Call to Obedience (Verses 22-33)
After delivering the commandments, Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience to these laws. He recounts the fear and awe experienced by the Israelites when they heard God’s voice, which serves as a reminder of the seriousness of their covenant obligations.
- The people express their fear of God’s voice and request Moses to speak on their behalf.
- Moses reassures them, emphasizing that God desires their obedience for their own good.
- He encourages them to keep the commandments and to teach them to their children.
Theological Themes
This chapter encapsulates several key theological themes:
- Covenant Relationship: The emphasis on the covenant highlights the special relationship between God and Israel.
- Obedience and Blessing: The blessings associated with obedience to God’s laws are underscored.
- Community Ethics: The commandments serve as a foundation for ethical behavior within the community.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy Chapter 5 serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of God’s laws in the life of the Israelites. It reinforces the idea that obedience to God’s commandments is essential for maintaining a right relationship with Him and for ensuring the well-being of the community as a whole.
