Moses called. Here begins his second address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:1 . statutes and judgments. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 . this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 . keep, and do = observe to do. read more
This entire chapter is devoted to a rehearsal of the Decalogue by Moses himself on the eve of Israel's entry into Canaan. The longest chapter in my Commentary on Exodus (Vol. II in the Pentateuch Series) is devoted to a detailed discussion of the famed "Ten Words," and we shall not recapitulate that material here.There are a few very minor differences in the two reports, of which Alexander said, "These differences are of little moment."[1] Scott listed the so-called "differences" between the... read more
1. Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments—Whether this rehearsal of the law was made in a solemn assembly, or as some think at a general meeting of the elders as representatives of the people, is of little moment; it was addressed either directly or indirectly to the Hebrew people as principles of their peculiar constitution as a nation; and hence, as has been well observed, "the Jewish law has no obligation upon Christians, unless so much of it as given or commanded by Jesus Christ; for... read more
Introduction 5:1-6The covenant to which Moses referred (Deuteronomy 5:2) is not the Abrahamic but the Mosaic Covenant. What follows is an upgrade of the Mosaic Covenant for the new generation about to enter the Promised Land. The "fathers" (Deuteronomy 5:3) were the previous generation. "Face to face" (Deuteronomy 5:4) is a figure of speech indicating direct communication, without a mediator. God uttered the Ten Commandments in the hearing of all the Israelites (Deuteronomy 5:22). This... read more
IV. MOSES’ SECOND MAJOR ADDRESS: AN EXPOSITION OF THE LAW CHS. 5-26". . . Deuteronomy contains the most comprehensive body of laws in the Pentateuch. It is clearly intended to be consulted for guidance on many aspects of daily life, in sharp contrast with the laws of Leviticus, which are very restricted in scope and mainly concern the functions of the priesthood." [Note: R. Norman Whybray, Introduction to the Pentateuch, pp. 103-4.] "Two of the major elements [in ancient Near Eastern covenant... read more
The Repetition of the DecalogueThis chapter repeats the Law of the Ten Commandments given on Mt. Sinai with the circumstances of its delivery: see Exodus 20, and the notes there.3. Their fathers who had heard the Law given at Sinai were actually dead. But as the covenant had been made not with individuals, but with the nation of Israel, Moses could say that it was made not with our fathers, but with us. The expression is really equivalent to ’not only with our fathers but also with... read more
(1) And Moses called all Israel, and said.—What follows is thus presented to us as an actual exhortation, not merely a portion of a book.The statutes and judgments.—The religious ordinances and institutions, and the general requirements. The mention of these is prefixed to the Decalogue, of which they are only the application—to a special people under special circumstances. More precisely, the words apply rather to what follows the Decalogue than to the Ten Commandments themselves. (See... read more
Deuteronomy 5:0 Luther wrote from Coburg on 30 June, 1530, to Justus Jonas: 'I have gone to school again here to the Decalogue. As if I were a boy once more, I learn it word for word, and I see how true it is that "His understanding is infinite" (Psalms 147:5 ). [et video verum esse, quod sapientiae ejus non est numerus.]' Enders, Luther's Briefwechsel, vol. VIII. p. 48. The People of the Covenant Deuteronomy 5:2 The idea of covenant runs through the Bible. It was a very natural figure to use... read more
THE DECALOGUE-ITS FORMDeuteronomy 5:1-21AS the fourth chapter belongs to the speech which concludes the legislative portion of Deuteronomy both in contents and language (see chapter 23), we shall pass on now to the fifth chapter, which begins with a recital of the Decalogue. As has already been pointed out, the main trunk of the Book of Deuteronomy is a repetition and expansion of the Law of the Covenant contained in Exodus 20:1-26; Exodus 21:1-36; Exodus 22:1-31; Exodus 23:1-33. Now, both in... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:1-33
4:44-11:32 BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE COVENANTIn the address just concluded, Moses outlined God’s dealings with Israel in the past, and on the basis of this urged Israel to be obedient in the future. He now called a second meeting, this time to ‘renew’ the covenant, not in the ceremonial sense but in the practical sense. That is, he reawakened the people to their responsibilities under the covenant. He recalled the events when the covenant was made at Sinai (4:44-5:5), he repeated the basic... read more