King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:22 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:22 in the King James Version says “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 th... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 5:22 · KJV


Context

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly...out of the midst of the fire' emphasizes direct divine revelation. God spoke audibly to the entire congregation, not merely to Moses privately. The triad 'fire, cloud, and thick darkness' recalls the awesome Sinai theophany. The declaration 'he added no more' indicates the Ten Commandments' completeness as covenant summary—comprehensive moral law needing no addition. The inscription on 'two tables of stone' signifies permanence and divine authorship. This verse establishes Scripture's divine authority and sufficiency.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

At Sinai (Exodus 19-20), God descended in fire, cloud, and earthquake, speaking the Ten Commandments audibly to all Israel. The terrified people begged Moses to mediate further revelation (Exodus 20:18-21). God inscribed the commandments on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18), which Moses placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:16). These tablets remained Israel's foundational covenant document throughout their history, discovered during Josiah's temple renovation centuries later (2 Kings 22:8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's direct, audible proclamation to all Israel establish the Ten Commandments' unique authority as foundational covenant law?
  2. What does the phrase 'he added no more' teach about the completeness and sufficiency of God's moral law summarized in the Decalogue?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אֶֽת1 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים2 of 24

These words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֡לֶּה3 of 24
H428

these or those

דִּבֶּר֩4 of 24

spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֨ה5 of 24

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל6 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל7 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קְהַלְכֶ֜ם8 of 24

unto all your assembly

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

בָּהָ֗ר9 of 24

in the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

מִתּ֤וֹךְ10 of 24

out of the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הָאֵשׁ֙11 of 24

of the fire

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

הֶֽעָנָ֣ן12 of 24

of the cloud

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל13 of 24

and of the thick darkness

H6205

gloom (as of a lowering sky)

ק֥וֹל14 of 24

voice

H6963

a voice or sound

גָּד֖וֹל15 of 24

with a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְלֹ֣א16 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָסָ֑ף17 of 24

and he added no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗ם18 of 24

And he wrote

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַל19 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׁנֵי֙20 of 24

them in two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לֻחֹ֣ת21 of 24

tables

H3871

probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal

אֲבָנִ֔ים22 of 24

of stone

H68

a stone

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם23 of 24

and delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֵלָֽי׃24 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 5:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 5:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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