Deuteronomy 5 31

Deuteronomy 5:31 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 5:31 nkjv

But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess.'

Deuteronomy 5:31 niv

But you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess."

Deuteronomy 5:31 esv

But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.'

Deuteronomy 5:31 nlt

But you stand here with me so I can give you all my commands, decrees, and regulations. You must teach them to the people so they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.'"

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 31 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:31 outlines God's direct instruction to Moses, commanding him to draw near so God could communicate the entirety of His Law – comprising commandments, statutes, and judgments. This communication was specifically intended for Moses to teach to the Israelites, so they would meticulously observe these divine directives in the land God was granting them as an inheritance. This verse underscores Moses' unique mediatorial role in receiving and transmitting the Law, essential for the people's life in the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 5 31 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 5 recounts Moses' restatement of the Ten Commandments to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This retelling reminds them of the covenant established at Mount Sinai (Horeb). Following the declaration of the Decalogue (Deut 5:6-21), the people expressed overwhelming fear at the direct voice of God (Deut 5:23-27). They then requested Moses to act as their intermediary, saying, "You speak to us and we will hear, but let not God speak with us, lest we die!" (Deut 5:27). God acknowledged the wisdom in their request, recognizing their fear of His holy presence (Deut 5:28-29). Deuteronomy 5:31 immediately follows this divine affirmation, as God commands Moses to fulfill the mediatorial role the people requested. This verse sets the stage for Moses to transmit the broader Mosaic Law (Deut 6 onwards), which would guide Israel's life as God's covenant people in their new land. Historically, this discourse marks a critical transition, preparing Israel not only spiritually but also legally and socially for their new identity and responsibilities in Canaan.

Deuteronomy 5 31 Word analysis

• "But as for you" (וְאַתָּה - v'attah): The conjunction 'and' or 'but' here introduces a clear contrast. While the people recoiled from direct divine speech due to fear, this emphasizes Moses' distinct position and readiness. It sets him apart as the designated recipient and mediator.

• "stand here by Me" (עֲמֹד פֹּה עִמָּדִי - ‘amod poh ‘immadi):

  • עֲמֹד (‘amod, stand): Implies a position of readiness and attentiveness to receive instruction. It denotes a stable, authoritative stance.
  • פֹּה (poh, here): Indicates the specific location of the divine revelation.
  • עִמָּדִי (‘immadi, by Me/with Me): Signifies proximity and intimate communion with God. This close proximity highlights Moses' unparalleled access to the Divine Presence and direct revelation, a privilege not granted to the common Israelite.

• "and I will speak to you" (וַאֲדַבְּרָה אֵלֶיךָ - va'adabberah ‘eleykha): This reaffirms God's direct, personal communication with Moses, reinforcing his unique mediatorial function.

• "all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments" (אֵת כָּל הַמִּצְוָה וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים - ‘et kol ha'mitzvah v'ha'chuqqim v'ha'mishpatim): These three terms together encapsulate the totality of God's Law given through Moses.

  • מִצְוָה (mitzvah, commandment): General precepts or moral commands, often singular, pointing to the overarching command to obey.
  • חֻקִּים (chuqqim, statutes/decrees): Typically refers to ritual or cultic laws, decrees whose reasons are not always self-evident or universally applicable (e.g., dietary laws, sacrificial regulations). They are fixed enactments.
  • מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim, judgments/ordinances): Relate to civil and social laws, judicial decisions, or legal precedents, often outlining proper conduct and justice within the community.
  • Together, they represent the comprehensive scope of God's will for Israel, encompassing moral, religious, and societal aspects.

• "which you shall teach them" (אֲשֶׁר תְּלַמְּדֵם - ‘asher t'lammedem): תְּלַמְּדֵם (t'lammedem, you shall teach them) highlights Moses' core responsibility. He is not merely a recipient but a divinely appointed educator and disseminator of God's revealed will.

• "that they may observe them" (וְעָשׂוּ - v'asu, and they shall do/observe): The ultimate purpose of transmitting the Law is its practical implementation and obedience by the people. Understanding and knowledge lead to righteous action.

• "in the land which I am giving them to possess" (בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן לָהֶם לְרִשְׁתָּהּ - ba'aretz ‘asher ‘anokhi noten lahem l'rishtah):

  • אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן (‘anokhi noten, I am giving): Emphasizes God's sovereign act of bestowing the land as a gift, not something earned.
  • לְרִשְׁתָּהּ (l'rishtah, to possess/inherit it): This connects the reception of the Law to Israel's future life in the Promised Land. Obedience to God's covenant is directly linked to their secure tenure and flourishing in the land He graciously provides. It ties the theological (God's revelation) to the practical (living justly in their inheritance).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "stand here by Me...I will speak to you": This emphasizes the profound, personal, and unparalleled divine-human interaction with Moses, establishing him as God's singular prophet and Law-giver for that era. This stands in stark contrast to any form of polytheistic interaction or self-derived legal codes of other nations.
  • "all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments": This phrase signifies the absolute completeness and divine authority of the Mosaic Law, covering all spheres of life – morality, worship, and social justice. No aspect of life in the land was outside God's purview.
  • "which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess": This section elucidates the entire divine pedagogy: revelation for communication, communication for education, education for obedience, and obedience for blessed existence in the divinely-promised inheritance. The spiritual health of the nation was tied directly to their adherence to this comprehensive Law in the promised land.

Deuteronomy 5 31 Bonus section

This verse highlights several crucial theological themes: the necessity of divine mediation (which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the one Mediator), the inherent goodness and comprehensiveness of God's Law (designed for human flourishing), the critical role of instruction and discipleship in living out God's will, and the direct link between obedience and experiencing God's promised blessings within His covenant. It emphasizes that Israel's possession of the Land was not solely based on a sovereign grant but maintained through a dynamic, obedient relationship with God, guided by His revealed Word. The structure of revelation here—God to Moses, Moses to Israel, Israel's observance in the Land—establishes a prototype for how God interacts with His people through appointed means to enable them to walk in His ways and receive His blessings.

Deuteronomy 5 31 Commentary

Deuteronomy 5:31 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating God's gracious accommodation to Israel's fear at Sinai and reaffirming Moses' essential role as the covenant mediator. God, acknowledging the people's plea for a human intermediary after being overwhelmed by His direct presence, instructs Moses to step forward to receive the full corpus of His divine Law. This Law, described as "commandments, statutes, and judgments," signifies its comprehensive nature, addressing all facets of individual and communal life—moral, ceremonial, and civil. Moses' primary duty is established not just as a hearer but as an authoritative teacher (t'lammedem), whose instruction is vital for the people's understanding and, critically, their observance (v'asu). The ultimate purpose of this elaborate revelation and transmission is not abstract knowledge, but tangible obedience, which is intrinsically linked to their prosperous existence in the Promised Land. This passage reinforces the principle that blessings in God's covenant relationship are contingent upon faithful adherence to His revealed will. It sets the foundation for God's pattern of providing a way to interact with Him, both then through Moses and ultimately through Christ.