On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,

DEUTERONOMY 1:5KJV
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Deuteronomy 1:5 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 1:5 mean?

Deuteronomy 1:5 describes how, while the Israelites were in the land of Moab on the east side of the Jordan River, Moses began to explain the law to them. This verse sets the stage for Moses’ detailed teaching and restatement of God’s instructions before the people enter the Promised Land.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they camp in Moab, just before they cross into Canaan. The verse marks a turning point: Moses is about to review and clarify the law (the teachings God gave at Sinai), making sure the new generation understands what God expects as they prepare to settle in a new land.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 1:5

  • "declare" (בֵּאֵר, be’er): This word means to explain clearly or make something plain. Here, it highlights that Moses is not just repeating the law, but making it understandable and accessible to the people.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means instruction or teaching, not just legal rules. In this context, it refers to the guidance God gave Israel, which Moses is about to review in detail.
  • "began" (יָאֵל, ya’el): This word signals a deliberate starting point. Moses is intentionally beginning a new phase of teaching, emphasizing the importance of what follows.

Why Deuteronomy 1:5 matters

  • This verse shows that Moses is taking care to explain, not just repeat, God’s instructions—suggesting the people need understanding, not just information.
  • The setting in Moab, east of the Jordan, reminds readers that this teaching happens on the threshold of a major transition, just before entering the Promised Land.
  • The verse introduces the main purpose of Deuteronomy: a careful restatement and explanation of God’s law for a new generation who did not experience the events at Sinai firsthand.

Where else these words appear

“declare” Hebrew H874 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 27:8 And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.
  • Habakkuk 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

“began” Hebrew H2974 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Judges 1:35 But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
  • 2 Kings 5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

“side” Hebrew H5676 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Joshua 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
  • 2 Samuel 10:16 And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.