Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
Original Language Analysis
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם
Out of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם
Out of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
and thou heardest
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
and thou heardest
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ
that he might instruct
H3256
לְיַסְּרֶ֑ךָּ
that he might instruct
Strong's:
H3256
Word #:
6 of 16
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֗רֶץ
thee and upon earth
H776
הָאָ֗רֶץ
thee and upon earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
8 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
הֶרְאֲךָ֙
he shewed
H7200
הֶרְאֲךָ֙
he shewed
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
9 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה
thee his great
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֔ה
thee his great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
12 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּדְבָרָ֥יו
his words
H1697
וּדְבָרָ֥יו
his words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
and thou heardest
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ
and thou heardest
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
14 of 16
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
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.Exodus 19:19And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.Nehemiah 9:13Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:Deuteronomy 4:33Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?Hebrews 12:25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Historical Context
Moses recalls how God used both auditory revelation (voice from heaven) and visual signs (fire on earth) at Mount Horeb to teach Israel. This dual manifestation emphasized God's transcendence (heavenly voice) and immanence (earthly fire). The pedagogical purpose was to train Israel in covenant obedience before entering Canaan.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the combination of heavenly voice and earthly fire at Sinai anticipate the incarnation, where the Word became flesh?
- What does it mean that God's revelation is designed to 'instruct' or 'discipline' us, not merely inform us?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire...
Moses describes divine revelation through complementary modes: min hashamayim (מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם, 'from heaven') Israel heard God's voice; al ha'arets (עַל הָאָרֶץ, 'upon earth') they saw His fire. Heaven and earth unite in theophany—the transcendent God condescends to earthly encounter. The verb leyassrekha (לְיַסְּרֶךָּ, 'to instruct/discipline you') uses yasar, which includes correction and training, not mere information transfer. God's revelation shapes character through discipline.
The voice from heaven establishes divine authority; the fire on earth demonstrates divine presence. Neither alone suffices: voice without fire might seem abstract; fire without voice would lack content. Together they communicate both who God is and what He requires. This dual revelation anticipates the incarnation, where the Word became flesh—heavenly truth in earthly form (John 1:14).
Israel heard devarav (דְּבָרָיו, 'his words') from the fire's midst. The fire did not consume the words but conveyed them. This paradox—presence that should destroy instead communicates—reveals grace structuring revelation. God accommodates Himself to human capacity while maintaining His holiness. The unconsumed burning bush (Exodus 3) and the fire at Sinai share this revelatory pattern.