Deuteronomy 5:4
The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
Original Language Analysis
בְּפָנִ֗ים
to face
H6440
בְּפָנִ֗ים
to face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּפָנִ֗ים
to face
H6440
בְּפָנִ֗ים
to face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
2 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
דִּבֶּ֨ר
talked
H1696
דִּבֶּ֨ר
talked
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
3 of 8
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶ֛ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
5 of 8
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בָּהָ֖ר
in the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֖ר
in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
6 of 8
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
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.Deuteronomy 4:36Out 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.Deuteronomy 34:10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,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 33:11And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.Numbers 12:8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?Numbers 14:14And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
Historical Context
Exodus 19-20 describes the theophany at Sinai: thunder, lightning, thick cloud, trumpet blast, and fire on the mountain. The people trembled and asked Moses to mediate (Exodus 20:18-19), unable to bear direct encounter with God's holiness. This established the pattern of priestly mediation fulfilled ultimately in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance awareness of God's holiness with confidence in His gracious accessibility through Christ?
- What does 'face to face' relationship with God look like in your daily experience?
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Analysis & Commentary
The dramatic description 'The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire' emphasizes the direct, personal nature of God's revelation at Sinai. 'Face to face' indicates intimate, unmistakable communication, while 'midst of the fire' shows God's holy transcendence. This paradox—intimate yet awesome, near yet holy—characterizes true encounter with God. Hebrews 12:18-29 contrasts this terrifying revelation with the grace believers receive through Christ.