King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:27 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:27 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 5:27 · KJV


Context

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.

28

And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

29

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The people's request 'Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say' establishes Moses as covenant mediator. The promise 'we will hear it, and do it' expresses covenant commitment to obedience. This mediatorial pattern—Moses receiving God's Word and delivering it to the people—prefigures Christ's superior mediation. The phrase 'all that the LORD our God shall say' indicates comprehensive submission to divine revelation. However, Israel's commitment proved hollow (v. 29), revealing that fallen humanity requires heart transformation, not merely external covenant subscription. Only new covenant grace produces genuine obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses served as Israel's mediator throughout the wilderness period, receiving law on Sinai (Exodus 19-24, 34), delivering divine judgments, and interceding for the people (Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 14:13-19). This established the prophetic office continuing through Joshua, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:22-23). Moses' mediation demonstrated that sinners require a go-between to approach the holy God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' mediatorial role prefigure Christ's work as the superior Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6)?
  2. What does Israel's promise to obey followed by failure reveal about human inability to keep covenant apart from divine grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
קְרַ֤ב1 of 21

Go thou near

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אַתָּה֙2 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ3 of 21

and hear

H8085

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

אֵ֛ת4 of 21
H853

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

כָּל5 of 21
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר6 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֹאמַ֖ר7 of 21

shall say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֧ה8 of 21

all that the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ9 of 21

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

וְאַ֣תְּ׀10 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יְדַבֵּ֜ר11 of 21

and speak

H1696

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

אֵלֵ֗ינוּ12 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֵת֩13 of 21
H853

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

כָּל14 of 21
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר15 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְדַבֵּ֜ר16 of 21

and speak

H1696

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

יְהוָ֧ה17 of 21

all that the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ18 of 21

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

אֵלֶ֖יךָ19 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ20 of 21

and hear

H8085

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

וְעָשִֽׂינוּ׃21 of 21

it and do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 5:27 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 5:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study