Deuteronomy 5 3

Deuteronomy 5:3 kjv

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

Deuteronomy 5:3 nkjv

The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.

Deuteronomy 5:3 niv

It was not with our ancestors that the LORD made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today.

Deuteronomy 5:3 esv

Not with our fathers did the LORD make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today.

Deuteronomy 5:3 nlt

The LORD did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 3 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:3 declares that the covenant established by God at Mount Horeb (Sinai) was not made exclusively with the generation of their forefathers who died in the wilderness, but directly and personally with the generation standing before Moses, all of them who were alive at that moment. This verse underscores the immediate, binding, and personal nature of God's covenant relationship with each individual, emphasizing present responsibility and the continuity of the divine-human pact beyond a single historical moment or inherited obligation.

Deuteronomy 5 3 Context

Deuteronomy 5 presents Moses' recapitulation of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. This generation was largely born in the wilderness and did not directly experience the covenant cutting at Mount Horeb (Sinai), which occurred nearly 40 years prior. The surrounding verses in Chapter 5 detail the awesome display of God's presence at Sinai (Deut 5:4-5), framing the re-stated commandments. Verse 3 serves as a pivotal bridge, addressing any potential misconception that the covenant was merely an ancient relic belonging only to their deceased ancestors. Moses forcefully impresses upon them that they are the active participants in this divine relationship, bearing the immediate responsibility and privilege of it. It’s a call to fresh commitment for a new chapter in their history.

Deuteronomy 5 3 Word analysis

• Not: (lo, Hebrew: לֹא) – A strong negative particle, explicitly negating the idea that the covenant was only for the previous generation. It emphasizes that this covenant's primary recipients in Moses' discourse are them, the present audience.
• with our fathers: (‘im avotenu, Hebrew: עִם אֲבֹתֵינוּ) – Refers to the generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt but died in the wilderness (e.g., Num 14:26-35). While God did make a covenant with that generation at Sinai, the point here is not to deny that initial event but to assert that its vitality and applicability were not confined to them. The word fathers indicates their ancestors in a broad sense, but contextually, it targets those who fell short due to disobedience and faithlessness in the wilderness.
• did the Lord: (Yahweh, Hebrew: יְהוָה) – The covenant name of God, highlighting His personal, relational character and faithful commitment as the sovereign covenant maker. It’s not just any god, but the specific God of Israel who revealed Himself.
• make: (karat, Hebrew: כָּרַת) – Often translated as "cut," deriving from the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and walking between the halves to seal a covenant (Gen 15:17-18; Jer 34:18-19). This signifies a solemn, binding, and irrevocable agreement, emphasizing the gravity of the covenant.
• this covenant: (haz’brit, Hebrew: הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת) – Refers specifically to the Mosaic Covenant, embodying the Decalogue and the broader set of laws given at Sinai/Horeb. It underscores the specific terms and obligations foundational to Israel’s identity and relationship with God.
• but with us: (ki ‘immanu, Hebrew: כִּי עִמָּנוּ) – The particle ki here introduces an emphatic contrast, meaning "surely," "rather," or "indeed." This directs the focus squarely onto the current generation. It’s a direct address, asserting their personal inclusion and direct participation.
• all of us: (kulanu, Hebrew: כֻּלָּנוּ) – This collective term stresses the inclusivity of the covenant. No one present is exempt; it is for every single individual standing there. This challenges any notion of passive inheritance or vicarious responsibility, demanding personal engagement.
• who are alive: (hayyim, Hebrew: חַיִּים) – Emphasizes the present existence of this generation. They are not merely heirs to a dead tradition but living, breathing, sentient individuals called to an active relationship with a living God. It sets apart the vibrant "us" from the "fathers" who are no longer physically present.
• here today: (po hayom, Hebrew: פֹּה הַיּוֹם) – Po (here) specifies the geographical location (plains of Moab), reminding them that this covenant declaration is happening now, in their immediate presence. Hayom (today) reinforces the urgency and contemporaneity of the covenant. It is not an abstract historical event but a living reality to which they must respond now.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Not with our fathers did the Lord make this covenant": This phrase strategically refutes a common human tendency to relegate religious responsibility to previous generations. It prevents them from saying, "This covenant was for our ancestors; it doesn't directly apply to us." Moses asserts that while the event happened then, its binding power and direct application extend to the current generation. This is not an annulment of the past covenant but a re-affirmation of its present relevance and immediacy.
• "but with us, all of us who are alive here today": This is the emphatic re-direction. It's intensely personal and communal. "Us" is distinguished from "fathers." "All of us" ensures no one feels left out or uninvolved. "Alive" stresses present vitality and accountability. "Here today" anchors the divine summons in their immediate reality, preventing abstract theological discussions and demanding a concrete, contemporary response. It highlights a living, active relationship, requiring participation in the present moment, not merely inheriting an obligation from the past.

Deuteronomy 5 3 Bonus section

• The phrasing "alive here today" implicitly distinguishes this generation from those who perished in the wilderness due to their unfaithfulness and rebellion, serving as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, yet offering them a fresh opportunity for covenant faithfulness.
• This verse counters the idea of a purely tribal or familial religion, emphasizing the individual's direct standing before God, alongside the corporate identity. Each member of the community is called to respond.
• The re-establishment of the covenant at Moab with the new generation ensures legal continuity for their entry into the Promised Land, legitimizing their claim to the land based on a reaffirmed divine promise and a new commitment to its conditions. It signals a fresh start.

Deuteronomy 5 3 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:3 is a crucial verse in understanding the perpetual relevance of God's covenant. It directly confronts the potential spiritual complacency of generations who might view divine ordinances as mere inherited traditions or historical relics, devoid of personal accountability. Moses’ forceful declaration emphasizes that while God's initial covenant revelation occurred with a previous generation, its life-altering power and moral demands were neither confined nor extinguished with their demise. Rather, the covenant remains vibrant, actively binding the living generation. This assertion fosters personal responsibility, preventing the deferral of obedience. It is not enough to be descended from Abraham; one must personally affirm the covenant "today." This principle reverberates through scripture, underscoring that faith must be actively embraced and lived in each generation, necessitating a personal response to God’s enduring word. The verse compels active, present-day engagement with divine law and relationship, a continuous walk of faith.