Deuteronomy 5:27 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 5:27 mean?

Deuteronomy 5:27 records the people of Israel asking Moses to approach God on their behalf, listen to everything God says, and then relay God’s words back to them so they can obey. The people express a willingness to hear and do whatever God commands, but they want Moses to be the one who communicates directly with God.

In this scene, the Israelites are speaking to Moses after hearing God’s voice from the mountain, which frightened them. They ask Moses to act as a mediator because they are afraid to hear directly from God. The verse highlights the people’s respect for God’s authority and their trust in Moses to faithfully deliver God’s instructions.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 5:27

• "near" (קָרַב, qārav): This word means to draw near or approach. The people are asking Moses to go close to God, something they feel unworthy or afraid to do themselves.
• "hear" (שָׁמַע, shāmaʿ): This word means to listen or pay attention, but it often carries the sense of listening with the intent to obey. The people want Moses to listen carefully to God’s words.
• "speak" (דָּבַר, dāvar): This word means to speak or declare. The people ask Moses to relay God’s message to them, showing their reliance on him as their spokesperson.
• "do" (עָשָׂה, ʿāsāh): This word means to do, make, or carry out. The people promise not just to listen, but to act on whatever Moses tells them from God.

Why Deuteronomy 5:27 matters

• This verse clarifies the Israelites’ fear of direct contact with God and their desire for a mediator, which shapes much of Israel’s later relationship with God through prophets and priests.
• The verse emphasizes the seriousness with which the people view God’s words—they do not take God’s commands lightly and commit to obedience.
• Deuteronomy 5:27 connects to the wider context of the giving of the Ten Commandments and the covenant at Sinai, showing the unique role Moses plays as a go-between for God and the people.