Deuteronomy 5:24
And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Original Language Analysis
רָאִ֔ינוּ
hath shewed
H7200
רָאִ֔ינוּ
hath shewed
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
יְהוָ֤ה
Behold the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
Behold the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
our God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 23
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
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּבֹד֣וֹ
us his glory
H3519
כְּבֹד֣וֹ
us his glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ
and we have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ
and we have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
12 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֣וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
13 of 23
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הַיּ֤וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֤וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 23
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
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
רָאִ֔ינוּ
hath shewed
H7200
רָאִ֔ינוּ
hath shewed
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
17 of 23
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְדַבֵּ֧ר
doth talk
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֧ר
doth talk
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
19 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
our God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 of 23
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
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
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.Deuteronomy 4:33Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?Exodus 33:20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Historical Context
The Sinai revelation circa 1446 BC was unprecedented—God speaking audibly to an entire nation. This distinguished Israel from all nations whose deities communicated through omens, dreams, or oracles. Israel heard God's actual voice proclaiming the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). Moses later reminded Israel that no other nation experienced such direct divine communication (Deuteronomy 4:32-34). This unique revelation established Israel as covenant people possessing God's authoritative Word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse establish verbal, propositional revelation as the primary means by which God makes Himself known?
- What does the possibility of hearing God's voice 'and living' teach about His gracious condescension in communicating with sinful humanity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The people's confession 'the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness' acknowledges theophany as divine self-revelation. The Hebrew 'kavod' (glory) signifies God's weighty, majestic presence. The phrase 'we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire' validates that God speaks, establishing verbal revelation as primary means of knowing Him. The observation 'we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth' demonstrates that divine encounter doesn't automatically destroy—God can communicate without consuming. This prefigures the Incarnation where God speaks definitively through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).