Deuteronomy Chapter 5 · Verse 27
Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
Original Language Analysis
קְרַ֤ב
Go thou near
H7126
קְרַ֤ב
Go thou near
Strong's:
H7126
Word #:
1 of 21
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ
and hear
H8085
וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ
and hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 21
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 #:
5 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֧ה
all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 21
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
יְדַבֵּ֜ר
and speak
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֜ר
and speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
11 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
אֵת֩
H853
אֵת֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 21
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 #:
14 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֜ר
and speak
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֜ר
and speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
16 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֧ה
all that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
all that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 21
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
Historical Context
Moses served as Israel's mediator throughout the wilderness period, receiving law on Sinai (Exodus 19-24, 34), delivering divine judgments, and interceding for the people (Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 14:13-19). This established the prophetic office continuing through Joshua, Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:22-23). Moses' mediation demonstrated that sinners require a go-between to approach the holy God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' mediatorial role prefigure Christ's work as the superior Mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6)?
- What does Israel's promise to obey followed by failure reveal about human inability to keep covenant apart from divine grace?
Analysis & Commentary
The people's request 'Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say' establishes Moses as covenant mediator. The promise 'we will hear it, and do it' expresses covenant commitment to obedience. This mediatorial pattern—Moses receiving God's Word and delivering it to the people—prefigures Christ's superior mediation. The phrase 'all that the LORD our God shall say' indicates comprehensive submission to divine revelation. However, Israel's commitment proved hollow (v. 29), revealing that fallen humanity requires heart transformation, not merely external covenant subscription. Only new covenant grace produces genuine obedience (Ezekiel 36:26-27).