Deuteronomy 5:3
The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
with our fathers
H1
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
with our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כָּרַ֥ת
made
H3772
כָּרַ֥ת
made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
4 of 16
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבְּרִ֣ית
not this covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֣ית
not this covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
7 of 16
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִתָּ֔נוּ
H854
אִתָּ֔נוּ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 16
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
Historical Context
At Horeb/Sinai, the exodus generation (except Caleb and Joshua) received the law but later died in the wilderness due to unbelief (Numbers 14). Moses now addresses their children and grandchildren, emphasizing that covenant responsibility passes to each generation. This pattern continues in Scripture—Josiah's reformation (2 Kings 23), Ezra's renewal (Nehemiah 8-10), and the New Covenant in Christ (Hebrews 8:6-13) all involve present generations embracing historical covenants.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your relationship with God connect to the covenant faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) of previous generations?
- What responsibilities do you bear for maintaining covenant commitments in your generation?
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses declares that the Horeb covenant was made 'not with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.' This seems paradoxical since most of the Horeb generation had died in the wilderness. The meaning is that covenant obligations transcend individual generations—each generation stands in covenant relationship with God, responsible for the commitments made by their forebears. The covenant is both historical (made at Sinai) and present (binding on current hearers). This establishes the principle that God's covenant is perpetual, not limited to those physically present at its inauguration.