Deuteronomy 18:16

Authorized King James Version

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According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

Original Language Analysis

כְּכֹ֨ל H3605
כְּכֹ֨ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ According to all that thou desiredst H7592
שָׁאַ֜לְתָּ According to all that thou desiredst
Strong's: H7592
Word #: 3 of 26
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מֵעִ֨ם H5973
מֵעִ֨ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֔י my God H430
אֱלֹהָ֔י my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 26
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
בְּחֹרֵ֔ב in Horeb H2722
בְּחֹרֵ֔ב in Horeb
Strong's: H2722
Word #: 7 of 26
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
בְּי֥וֹם in the day H3117
בְּי֥וֹם in the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 26
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
הַקָּהָ֖ל of the assembly H6951
הַקָּהָ֖ל of the assembly
Strong's: H6951
Word #: 9 of 26
assemblage (usually concretely)
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֹסֵ֗ף again H3254
אֹסֵ֗ף again
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 12 of 26
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ Let me not hear H8085
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ Let me not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 13 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קוֹל֙ the voice H6963
קוֹל֙ the voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 15 of 26
a voice or sound
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 16 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֔י my God H430
אֱלֹהָ֔י my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 17 of 26
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
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאֵ֨שׁ fire H784
הָאֵ֨שׁ fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 19 of 26
fire (literally or figuratively)
הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה this great H1419
הַגְּדֹלָ֥ה this great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 20 of 26
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַזֹּ֛את H2063
הַזֹּ֛את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 21 of 26
this (often used adverb)
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 22 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶרְאֶ֥ה neither let me see H7200
אֶרְאֶ֥ה neither let me see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 23 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
ע֖וֹד H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 24 of 26
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 25 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָמֽוּת׃ any more that I die H4191
אָמֽוּת׃ any more that I die
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 26 of 26
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

Analysis & Commentary

According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb—This recalls the theophany at Sinai (Exodus 19-20; Deuteronomy 5:23-27) when Israel, terrified by the direct divine presence, begged Moses to serve as mediator. Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not—The people's fear was appropriate reverence (Hebrews 12:18-21), recognizing that sinful humanity cannot directly encounter God's holiness and survive.

This verse establishes the theological rationale for prophetic mediation. God accommodates human weakness by speaking through prophets rather than overwhelming direct revelation. This foreshadows the ultimate Prophet-Mediator, Jesus Christ, through whom God speaks His final word (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:18). The incarnation is God's supreme accommodation—the Word made flesh, God's presence mediated through humanity, making the unapproachable approachable.

Historical Context

The Horeb/Sinai theophany (circa 1446 BC, traditional dating) was Israel's defining covenant moment—thunder, lightning, thick darkness, earthquake, trumpet blast, and the audible voice of God (Exodus 19:16-19; 20:18-21). The terror was so overwhelming that even Moses trembled (Hebrews 12:21). This experience shaped Israel's understanding that encountering the holy God required mediation. Moses functioned as the archetypal mediator, prefiguring the greater mediation of Christ who brings believers into God's presence without terror (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Questions for Reflection

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