Deuteronomy 4:10
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
Original Language Analysis
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the day
H3117
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 31
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָמַ֜דְתָּ
that thou stoodest
H5975
עָמַ֜דְתָּ
that thou stoodest
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
3 of 31
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֨י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 31
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 31
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 31
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
בְּחֹרֵב֒
in Horeb
H2722
בְּחֹרֵב֒
in Horeb
Strong's:
H2722
Word #:
7 of 31
choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 31
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֔ם
me the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
me the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 31
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאַשְׁמִעֵ֖ם
and I will make them hear
H8085
וְאַשְׁמִעֵ֖ם
and I will make them hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
15 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרָ֑י
my words
H1697
דְּבָרָ֑י
my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
17 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְלַמֵּדֽוּן׃
and that they may teach
H3925
יְלַמֵּדֽוּן׃
and that they may teach
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
19 of 31
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לְיִרְאָ֣ה
to fear
H3372
לְיִרְאָ֣ה
to fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
20 of 31
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֹתִ֗י
H853
אֹתִ֗י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the day
H3117
הַיָּמִים֙
Specially the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
23 of 31
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חַיִּים֙
that they shall live
H2416
חַיִּים֙
that they shall live
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
26 of 31
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
27 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
29 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Exodus 19:9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.Deuteronomy 17:19And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:Exodus 20:18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.Exodus 20:20And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.Exodus 19:16And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.Deuteronomy 5:2The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Historical Context
This verse references the events of Exodus 19-20, when Israel camped at Mount Sinai/Horeb approximately three months after the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 19:1). Moses recounts this pivotal moment in Deuteronomy 4 as Israel prepares to enter Canaan around 1406 BC—about 40 years after the original Horeb encounter.
At Horeb, God descended in fire, cloud, and thick darkness, with thunder, lightning, and trumpet blast (Exodus 19:16-19; Deuteronomy 4:11-12). The people witnessed unprecedented theophany—direct divine self-revelation. God spoke the Ten Commandments audibly to the entire assembly (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:4-22), an event so terrifying that the people begged Moses to mediate further revelation rather than hear God directly (Exodus 20:18-21; Deuteronomy 5:23-27).
Moses' rehearsal of this history in Deuteronomy served crucial purposes:
- to remind the new generation (most adults at Horeb had died in wilderness wandering) of their covenant obligations
- to emphasize that covenant relationship requires active faithfulness, not passive inheritance
- to establish precedent for intergenerational teaching as central to Israel's identity.
Archaeological evidence confirms ancient Near Eastern treaty patterns similar to Deuteronomy's structure, grounding covenant in historical events requiring ongoing loyalty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does grounding faith in historical events (like Horeb) differ from abstract religious philosophy?
- What does God's emphasis on intergenerational teaching reveal about His design for preserving truth?
- How can modern believers cultivate the "fear of the Lord" that shapes daily conduct?
- What responsibilities do Christians have to pass faith to the next generation, and how can this be done effectively?
- How does remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen present obedience and future hope?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. This verse recalls the pivotal moment at Mount Horeb (Sinai) when Israel assembled to receive God's Law. The Hebrew word yom (יוֹם, "day") emphasizes this specific, unrepeatable historical event around 1446 BC—not myth or metaphor, but concrete encounter with the living God.
"Stood before the LORD" (nitsavta lifnei YHWH, נִצַּבְתָּ לִפְנֵי יְהוָה) indicates formal assembly in God's presence, similar to standing before a king. The purpose was to "hear my words" (shamea et-devarai, שָׁמְעָ אֶת־דְּבָרָי)—not merely auditory reception but attentive obedience. The goal: "learn to fear me" (yir'ati, יִרְאָתִי), meaning reverent awe that shapes conduct. This fear isn't terror but proper recognition of God's holiness, authority, and covenant love.
The intergenerational command—"that they may teach their children"—establishes the pattern of covenant transmission (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Faith must not remain with one generation but be actively passed to the next through teaching and modeling. This verse grounds Israel's identity in revelation history: they are the people who met God at Horeb, received His words, and carry responsibility to maintain covenant faithfulness across generations. The comprehensive scope—"all the days that they shall live"—means this isn't occasional religious observance but lifelong devotion.