Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

DEUTERONOMY 4:5KJV
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Deuteronomy 4:5 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 4:5 mean?

Deuteronomy 4:5 describes Moses telling the Israelites that he has taught them the laws and rules God gave him, so they will know how to live when they enter the land God is giving them. Moses emphasizes that these instructions come directly from God and are meant to guide their life in their new home.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. He reminds them that the "statutes and judgments"—meaning specific laws and decisions—were not his own ideas, but were commanded by the LORD (God). The verse sets the stage for the importance of following God's instructions as the Israelites transition from wandering in the wilderness to settling in a new land.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 4:5

  • "Statutes" (חֻקִּים, ḥuqqim, H2706) refers to specific, set laws or decrees. These are often understood as rules that must be followed even if the reason is not always explained.
  • "Judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim, H4941) means legal decisions or ordinances, often related to justice and fair treatment. These are laws that usually have clear reasons and deal with how people treat one another.
  • "Commanded" (צִוָּה, tzivvah, H6680) highlights that Moses is not the source of these laws; he is passing on what God directly instructed him to teach.
  • "Possess" (יָרַשׁ, yarash, H3423) means more than just living in the land—it carries the sense of taking ownership or inheriting it, showing that the land is a gift with responsibilities.

Why Deuteronomy 4:5 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that the laws given to Israel were not Moses' personal opinions, but direct commands from God, stressing their authority and importance.
  • Deuteronomy 4:5 helps the reader see that the laws were meant for life in the land, not just for the wilderness, showing that God's guidance was to shape their entire society.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Deuteronomy of remembering and obeying God's instructions as the foundation for Israel's success and identity in the promised land.

Where else these words appear

“taught” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
  • Proverbs 30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

“as” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

“statutes” Hebrew H2706 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 47:22 Only the land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them: wherefore they sold not their lands.
  • Deuteronomy 26:17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:
  • Psalms 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.