King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:25 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:25 in the King James Version says “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,...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 5:25 · KJV

Context

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?

27

Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

Read Deuteronomy 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people's fear—'Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us'—reveals appropriate terror before holy God. The Hebrew 'akal' (consume/devour) acknowledges that God's holiness destroys sin. The warning 'if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die' demonstrates human inability to endure prolonged divine presence. This validates the need for mediatorial priesthood and ultimately Christ's mediating work. Sinners require a go-between who can approach God safely and represent them. This Old Testament pattern prefigures the gospel's central truth: access to God requires a Mediator.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's terror at Sinai (Exodus 20:18-21) led them to request Moses serve as mediator for all further divine communication. This established the pattern of prophetic mediation continuing throughout Old Testament history. The people's fear was justified—approaching God's holiness improperly resulted in death (Nadab and Abihu, Leviticus 10:1-2; Uzzah, 2 Samuel 6:6-7). Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once yearly with blood sacrifice (Leviticus 16).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Israel's fear of God's consuming holiness validate the necessity of mediation for sinners to approach God?
  2. In what ways does this passage prefigure Christ as the superior Mediator who enables believers to approach God's throne with confidence (Hebrews 4:16)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְעַתָּה֙1 of 18
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

לָ֣מָּה2 of 18
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃3 of 18

“Now therefore why should we die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

כִּ֣י4 of 18
H3588

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

תֹֽאכְלֵ֔נוּ5 of 18

“will consume”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הָאֵ֥שׁ6 of 18

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה7 of 18

“for this great”

H1419

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

הַזֹּ֑את8 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אִם9 of 18
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יֹֽסְפִ֣ים׀10 of 18

“any more”

H3254

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

אֲנַ֗חְנוּ11 of 18
H587

we

לִ֠שְׁמֹעַ12 of 18

“us if we hear”

H8085

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

אֶת13 of 18
H853

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

ק֨וֹל14 of 18

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֧ה15 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ16 of 18

“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

ע֖וֹד17 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

וָמָֽתְנוּ׃18 of 18

“Now therefore why should we die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

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 5:25 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 5:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 18:16Galatians 3:21-22Galatians 3:10Deuteronomy 33:2Hebrews 12:292 Corinthians 3:7-9

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