King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:24 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:24 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 5:24 · KJV

Context

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. hear: Heb. add to hear

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?

Read Deuteronomy 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people's confession 'the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness' acknowledges theophany as divine self-revelation. The Hebrew 'kavod' (glory) signifies God's weighty, majestic presence. The phrase 'we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire' validates that God speaks, establishing verbal revelation as primary means of knowing Him. The observation 'we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth' demonstrates that divine encounter doesn't automatically destroy—God can communicate without consuming. This prefigures the Incarnation where God speaks definitively through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Sinai revelation circa 1446 BC was unprecedented—God speaking audibly to an entire nation. This distinguished Israel from all nations whose deities communicated through omens, dreams, or oracles. Israel heard God's actual voice proclaiming the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Moses later reminded Israel that no other nation experienced such direct divine communication (Deuteronomy 4:32-34). This unique revelation established Israel as covenant people possessing God's authoritative Word.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse establish verbal, propositional revelation as the primary means by which God makes Himself known?
  2. What does the possibility of hearing God's voice 'and living' teach about His gracious condescension in communicating with sinful humanity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַתֹּֽאמְר֗וּ1 of 23

“And ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֵ֣ן2 of 23
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

רָאִ֔ינוּ3 of 23

“hath shewed”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 23

“Behold the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהִ֛ים5 of 23

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת6 of 23
H853

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

כְּבֹד֣וֹ7 of 23

“us his glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וְאֶת8 of 23
H853

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

גָּדְל֔וֹ9 of 23

“and his greatness”

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

וְאֶת10 of 23
H853

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

קֹל֥וֹ11 of 23

“his voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ12 of 23

“and we have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

מִתּ֣וֹךְ13 of 23

“out of the midst”

H8432

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

הָאֵ֑שׁ14 of 23

“of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

הַיּ֤וֹם15 of 23

“this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּה֙16 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

רָאִ֔ינוּ17 of 23

“hath shewed”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּֽי18 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְדַבֵּ֧ר19 of 23

“doth talk”

H1696

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

אֱלֹהִ֛ים20 of 23

“our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת21 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

הָֽאָדָ֖ם22 of 23

“with man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וָחָֽי׃23 of 23

“and he liveth”

H2425

to live; causatively to revive

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 5:24 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 5:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 4:33Exodus 19:19Exodus 33:20Genesis 32:30Judges 13:22Deuteronomy 5:4-5

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Deuteronomy 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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