Deuteronomy 4 45

Deuteronomy 4:45 kjv

These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 4:45 nkjv

These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spoke to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt,

Deuteronomy 4:45 niv

These are the stipulations, decrees and laws Moses gave them when they came out of Egypt

Deuteronomy 4:45 esv

These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the rules, which Moses spoke to the people of Israel when they came out of Egypt,

Deuteronomy 4:45 nlt

These are the laws, decrees, and regulations that Moses gave to the people of Israel when they left Egypt,

Deuteronomy 4 verses

Deuteronomy 4 45 Meaning

This verse serves as a preamble, specifically identifying the content that Moses presented to the people of Israel after their exodus from Egypt. It acts as an authoritative introduction to the detailed laws, instructions, and ordinances that follow, underscoring their divine origin and Moses' role as mediator. The "testimonies, statutes, and rules" collectively refer to the comprehensive body of God's covenant law, emphasizing its holistic nature in governing all aspects of Israelite life, both spiritual and societal. It reiterates the fundamental truth that God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt provided the foundation and rationale for His commands.

Deuteronomy 4 45 Context

Deuteronomy 4:45 stands as a pivotal introductory statement. Its immediate context is found in verses 44-49, which serve as a geographical and legal setting for the rest of Deuteronomy, establishing that Moses "set before" the people of Israel a specific collection of laws at a specific place. This distinct preface highlights that the following laws are a reiteration and elaboration of the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai).

The broader context of the book of Deuteronomy is Moses' final address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, before they enter the Promised Land. The preceding chapters (1-4) include a review of Israel's journey from Horeb to Moab, reminding them of God's faithfulness and their failures. This verse therefore transitions from a historical retrospective and a powerful exhortation to covenant faithfulness to the core stipulations of the renewed covenant. Culturally, Deuteronomy reflects the structure of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where the Great King (God) reaffirms His benevolence and sets forth the obligations for His vassal (Israel) to maintain the relationship. This renewed presentation of the law underscores that Israel's continued national and spiritual prosperity in the land would be directly tied to their faithful obedience to these divine decrees.

Deuteronomy 4 45 Word analysis

• These (`eleh` אֵלֶּה): A demonstrative pronoun that points forward, indicating that what follows immediately is the substance being introduced. It gives an emphatic sense of "Here are..." or "The following are..." what Moses spoke.
• are the testimonies (`ha-ʿedot` הָעֵדֹת): From the Hebrew `'edah` (עֵדָה), referring to principles or precepts that bear witness or testify. These are not merely laws, but truths that testify to God's character, His covenant faithfulness, and the historical reality of His dealings with Israel. Often specifically associated with the Decalogue (Ex 25:16), which "testifies" to God's moral nature and requirements. They are enduring and serve as a constant witness.
• the statutes (`wə-ha-chuqqim` וְהַחֻקִּים): From `choq` (חֹק), implying fixed enactments, decrees, or ordinances. These are foundational laws that set the boundaries for Israelite life, covering various aspects like worship, civil conduct, and social structures. They are established by divine authority, unchangeable, and prescribed specific ways of life that distinguish Israel from other nations. Their unalterable nature highlights God's sovereignty.
• and the rules (`wə-ha-mishpatim` וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים): From `mishpat` (מִשְׁפָּט), which refers to judgments, justice, and legal decisions. These concern specific applications of righteousness in judicial, ethical, and social matters. They are about maintaining justice in community, reflecting the practical outworking of God's character in everyday interactions. This category ensures that abstract principles find concrete expression in righteous conduct and fair resolution of disputes.
• which Moses spoke (`asher dibber Mosheh` אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה): `Dabar` (דָּבַר) indicates authoritative, intentional, and direct verbal communication. Moses' role is emphasized as the divine spokesman, ensuring the people understood these commands came directly from God through His chosen mediator, not as human invention. This confirms the divine origin of the law while highlighting the channel through which it was delivered.
• to the people of Israel (`el benei Yisra'el` אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל): Specifies the exclusive covenant community for whom these laws were given. "Benei Yisra'el" (children of Israel) reinforces their identity as descendants of Jacob, chosen by God. The laws were tailored for their specific national and covenantal context.
• when they came out (`bə-tzetām` בְּצֵאתָם): From `yatsa` (יָצָא), denoting the act of coming forth. This phrase powerfully anchors the giving of the law to the seminal event of the Exodus. It highlights that their redemption from slavery provided the foundational context and moral obligation for obedience to the Lord who saved them. Salvation precedes obligation.
• of Egypt (`mi-Mitzrayim` מִמִּצְרָיִם): Refers to the land of their bondage, emphasizing God's mighty deliverance from a life of slavery and oppression. It serves as a constant historical reminder of God's faithfulness and power, and underscores the stark contrast between their former bondage and their new identity as God's redeemed people living under His benevolent law.

• "These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the rules": This powerful triad represents the multifaceted and comprehensive nature of God's law. The terms are not always rigidly distinct in usage but together encompass the entire moral, civil, and cultic law. They denote God's complete and authoritative revelation of His will for His people. The inclusion of all three emphasizes that God's law covers enduring truths (testimonies), established principles (statutes), and practical applications (rules), leaving no aspect of life untouched. This collective expression also serves as an implicit polemic against the arbitrary and often oppressive laws of surrounding pagan nations, demonstrating the superior, just, and holistic nature of Yahweh's divine jurisprudence.
• "when they came out of Egypt": This phrase links the Law intrinsically to Israel's foundational redemptive act. It asserts that their liberation from bondage was not merely a physical deliverance but also a spiritual and legal transition to being God's covenant people. The commands are thus not arbitrary burdens, but the gracious stipulations for maintaining a relationship with the God who redeemed them, setting them apart from the idolatrous practices of Egypt and other nations. Their freedom under God necessitates obedience to His law, differentiating true liberty from license.

Deuteronomy 4 45 Bonus section

The phrasing in Deuteronomy 4:45-49 effectively demarcates the renewed covenant exposition from Moses' earlier historical narrative and theological discourse. By precisely detailing the location ("beyond the Jordan in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon"), the text emphasizes that this legal re-presentation is a distinct event for a new generation. This specific geography sets it apart from the original Sinaitic revelation, highlighting the immediate context as Israel prepares to enter Canaan. This emphasis on a distinct, reiterative giving of the law underscores a key Deuteronomic theological point: God's covenant is dynamic, needing to be constantly heard, remembered, and reaffirmed by each successive generation. It suggests that while God's word is eternal, its engagement and reception must be continuous and fresh for His people.

Deuteronomy 4 45 Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:45 functions as an authoritative superscription to the great exposition of the covenant law that dominates the remainder of the book. It declares that the forthcoming principles, instructions, and ordinances originate from God Himself, transmitted faithfully by Moses, to the covenant people of Israel. The detailed enumeration of "testimonies, statutes, and rules" emphasizes the completeness and breadth of divine instruction, encompassing every aspect of their life—moral, social, and spiritual. By linking this Law explicitly to the Exodus ("when they came out of Egypt"), the verse firmly roots obedience in the profound reality of God's redeeming grace. The salvation experience serves as the perpetual and compelling reason for covenant faithfulness. The Law is not a means to salvation, but the proper response to it, a gracious gift guiding Israel to live a blessed and distinct life in their Promised Land. This historical anchor powerfully reminds them that their very existence and identity as a free nation derive solely from Yahweh's delivering power and ongoing presence. This sets the stage for Moses to remind the Israelites of the divine requirements necessary for their well-being and blessing in the land they are about to inherit.