Deuteronomy Chapter 5 · Verse 23
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤ם
And it came to pass when ye heard
H8085
כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤ם
And it came to pass when ye heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
5 of 15
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
of the darkness
H2822
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
of the darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
6 of 15
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וְהָהָ֖ר
for the mountain
H2022
וְהָהָ֖ר
for the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
7 of 15
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן
that ye came near
H7126
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן
that ye came near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
10 of 15
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָאשֵׁ֥י
unto me even all the heads
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֥י
unto me even all the heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
13 of 15
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
Historical Context
The Sinai theophany (Exodus 19:16-19) included thunder, lightning, trumpet blast, smoke, fire, and earthquake. The mountain trembled violently; the people stood at a distance, terrified. This awesome display authenticated God's presence and Moses' prophetic authority. The people's fear was so intense they begged Moses to mediate all further revelation (Exodus 20:18-21, Deuteronomy 5:24-27). This event shaped Israel's understanding of God's holiness and unapproachability apart from proper mediation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's terror at Sinai demonstrate that sinful humanity cannot approach the holy God without mediation?
- What does the contrast between Sinai's terror and Mount Zion's grace (Hebrews 12:18-24) teach about approaching God through Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
Israel's response to God's voice—'when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness'—reveals appropriate fear before divine holiness. The people's terror demonstrates natural human awareness that sinners cannot stand before the holy God (Exodus 20:18-19). This reaction validates the need for mediation—Moses as type, ultimately Christ as superior Mediator. The phrase 'the mountain did burn with fire' emphasizes God's consuming holiness (Hebrews 12:29). Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), producing reverence and obedience. This theophany contrasts with New Covenant believers' approach through Christ to Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24).