Deuteronomy 5:4
Deuteronomy 5:4 in Multiple Translations
The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.
The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
Jehovah spake with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire
The word of the Lord came to you face to face on the mountain, out of the heart of the fire,
The Lord talked with you person to person from the fire on the mountain.
The Lord talked with you face to face in the Mount, out of the middes of the fire.
Face to face hath Jehovah spoken with you, in the mount, out of the midst of the fire;
The LORD spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire,
The LORD talked with you face to face on the mount, from the midst of the fire,
He spoke to us face to face in the mount out of the midst of fire.
Yahweh spoke with us face-to-face on that mountain, from the middle of the fire.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 5:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
פָּנִ֣ים
בְּ/פָנִ֗ים
דִּבֶּ֨ר
יְהוָ֧ה
עִמָּ/כֶ֛ם
בָּ/הָ֖ר
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
הָ/אֵֽשׁ
פָּנִ֣ים
pânîym
H6440
face
N-cp
בְּ/פָנִ֗ים
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
דִּבֶּ֨ר
dâbar
H1696
to speak
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֧ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
עִמָּ/כֶ֛ם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
בָּ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
mountain
Prep | N-ms
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms
הָ/אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
fire
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 5:4
פָּנִ֣ים
pânîym
H6440
"face"
N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בְּ/פָנִ֗ים
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
דִּבֶּ֨ר
dâbar
H1696
"to speak"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To speak or communicate, like God speaking to Moses in Exodus or a king commanding his people. It can also mean to promise or warn someone.
Definition: : speak/tell/command 1) to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing 1a) (Qal) to speak 1b) (Niphal) to speak with one another, talk 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to speak 1c2) to promise 1d) (Pual) to be spoken 1e) (Hithpael) to speak 1f) (Hiphil) to lead away, put to flight
Usage: Occurs in 1049 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. See also: Genesis 8:15; Exodus 12:25; Leviticus 23:9.
יְהוָ֧ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
עִמָּ/כֶ֛ם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
בָּ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Prep | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
מִ/תּ֥וֹךְ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
הָ/אֵֽשׁ
ʼêsh
H784
"fire"
Art | N-cs
Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 5:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 5:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:4
Context — The Covenant at Horeb
2The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.
3He did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today.
4The LORD spoke with you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.
5At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said: 6“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 19:18–19 | Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. And as the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 34:10 | Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face— |
| 3 | Exodus 19:9 | The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 4:36 | He let you hear His voice from heaven to discipline you, and on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words out of the fire. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 4:33 | Has a people ever heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and lived? |
| 6 | Exodus 33:11 | Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent. |
| 7 | Numbers 12:8 | I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?” |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 5:24–26 | and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived? |
| 9 | Exodus 20:18–22 | When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven. |
| 10 | Numbers 14:14 | And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. |
Deuteronomy 5:4 Summary
In Deuteronomy 5:4, we see that God spoke directly to His people, face to face, out of the fire on the mountain. This means that God desires a personal relationship with us, where we can hear His voice and respond to His love. Just as the people in Deuteronomy 5:4 were in awe of God's presence, we can experience His presence in our lives today through prayer and reading His Word, as seen in Psalm 119:105. By listening to God's voice and responding to His love, we can deepen our relationship with Him and live a life that honors Him, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to speak 'face to face' with God?
In Deuteronomy 5:4, speaking 'face to face' with God means a direct and personal encounter with Him, as seen in Exodus 33:11 where Moses spoke with God face to face, and in Numbers 12:8 where God spoke to Moses clearly and not in riddles.
How could the people hear God's voice out of the fire on the mountain?
The Bible doesn't give a detailed explanation of how the people heard God's voice, but it's clear that God can communicate with us in various ways, such as through His Word, as seen in Psalm 119:105, and through His Spirit, as seen in John 16:13.
Why was it significant that God spoke to the people directly?
God speaking directly to the people emphasized the importance of the covenant He was making with them, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:2-3, and it highlighted His personal involvement in their lives, as seen in Jeremiah 31:33 where God writes His law on their hearts.
How does this verse relate to our relationship with God today?
Just as God spoke directly to the people in Deuteronomy 5:4, He desires a personal relationship with us today, as seen in John 10:27 where Jesus says His sheep hear His voice, and in Revelation 3:20 where Jesus stands at the door and knocks, waiting for us to open the door to our hearts.
Reflection Questions
- What would it be like to hear God's voice speaking directly to me, and how can I cultivate a deeper sense of His presence in my life?
- How can I apply the principle of God's direct communication with His people to my own prayer life and quiet time with Him?
- What are some ways that God has spoken to me in the past, and how can I be more attentive to His voice in the present?
- In what ways can I respond to God's personal involvement in my life, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:4, and how can I show my gratitude for His love and care?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:4
The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount,.... Meaning, not in that free, friendly, and familiar manner, in which he sometimes talked with Moses, of whom this phrase is used, Exodus 33:11,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:4
The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, The Lord talked with you face to face - not in a visible and corporeal form, of which there was no trace (Deuteronomy
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
Not in a visible shape, which was utterly denied, ,15; but personally and immediately, not by the mouth or ministry of Moses; plainly and certainly, as when two men talk face to face; freely and familiarly, so as not to overwhelm and confound you. Compare .
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
Deuteronomy 5:4 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,Ver. 4. Face to face,] i.e., Openly, and immediately, by himself, and not by a messenger or mediator. Prosper’ s conceit was, that the Israelites were called Iudaei, because they received ius Dei.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
(4) The Lord talked with you face to face.—Yet they saw no manner of similitude (Deuteronomy 4:12), i.e., no visible form: but the very words of God reached their ears. So in Exodus 20:22, “Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.”
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:4
4. face to face] i.e. person with person, without the intervention of another. The metaphor is hardly an instance of the tendency of D’s style to hyperbole2[120]. For although all that the people perceived was a voice, or sound, of words (Deuteronomy 4:12), this came at first directly to the whole people, and it was because they feared the effect of its directness that they begged Moses to mediate (Deuteronomy 5:22-27). But if not a hyperbole the phrase face to face needs qualification—it was only with Moses that God talked (morally speaking) face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10, Exodus 33:11); and so a qualification is given immediately in parenthesis in the next verse. [120] It is, however, an interesting illustration of how an O.T. writer (like so many of the prophets), while forbidding strenuously the representation of the Deity in any material form, does not hesitate to use anthropomorphisms in describing His appearances to men. Ch. Deuteronomy 4:12; Deuteronomy 4:15 emphasise that Israel saw no manner of form in the Mount; while Deuteronomy 5:4 now asserts that God spake face to face with the people. What is denied in fact, so as to exclude every excuse for plastic representations of the Deity, is allowed in metaphor.out of the midst of the fire] So in Deuteronomy 4:12 (but without the phrase preceding in the mount), 15, 33, 36; and Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 5:24, Deuteronomy 9:10, Deuteronomy 10:4.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:4
4. The Lord talked — Jehovah, in person, addressed the “ten words,” or commandments, to the people. Other precepts were given through Moses.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Si Interview of Ray Comfort by Ray Comfort | In this video, the speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share and discuss their ministry. They then share their personal journey of being led by God into p |
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The Preaching of George Whitefield by E.A. Johnston | The video is a sermon transcript about the preaching of George Whitefield, a renowned preacher in the 18th century. Whitefield had a powerful and captivating preaching style that k |
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The Leading of the Lord by George Warnock | In this sermon, the preacher discusses God's dealings with the saints and the importance of being a holy and cleansed people. He references the book of Job and the sayings of Elihu |
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God's Invincible Protection by Danny Bond | In this sermon, the speaker begins by praising God for his goodness and grace towards humanity. The focus then shifts to the significance of God's work with Israel, particularly si |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 2 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the Great Commission and its connection to Pentecost. He urges pastors, evangelists, and church leaders to call the church |
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(Gaining God's Approval) 6. the Testing of Moses by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen preaches on the life of Moses, emphasizing the importance of dethroning human wisdom to obtain Divine wisdom. He highlights how Moses, after years of humbling experience |
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Commentary Notes - Deuteronomy by Walter Beuttler | Walter Beuttler preaches on the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing its significance as 'The Second Law' given by Moses to the new generation of Israel before entering the promised la |