But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.

DEUTERONOMY 5:31KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 5:31 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 5:31 mean?

Deuteronomy 5:31 shows God telling Moses to stay near Him so that God can give Moses all the instructions, rules, and decisions that Moses must then teach the Israelites, so they can follow them in the land God is giving them. This verse highlights Moses’ special role as the one who receives God’s commands and passes them on to the people.

In this scene, God is speaking directly to Moses after the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. The people had been afraid to hear God's voice themselves, so Moses is called to remain close to God while the rest of the Israelites keep their distance. God promises to explain all the commandments, statutes, and judgments, making Moses the mediator who will teach the people how to live in the new land they are about to enter.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 5:31

  • "Stand" (עָמַד, 'amad, H5975) means to remain or take a position. Here, God tells Moses to stay by Him, emphasizing Moses’ unique access to God’s presence.
  • "Commandments" (מִצְוָה, mitzvah, H4687), "statutes" (חֹק, choq, H2706), and "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat, H4941) each refer to different types of instructions: general commands, specific ordinances, and legal decisions. This grouping shows the thoroughness of what Moses is to receive and teach.
  • "Teach" (לָמַד, lamad, H3925) means to instruct or train. God’s instructions are not just for Moses to know, but for him to actively pass on to the people so they can live by them.

Why Deuteronomy 5:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Moses acts as a mediator between God and the Israelites, receiving God’s words directly when the people are too afraid to approach.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of teaching and learning God’s instructions, not just hearing them once but understanding them well enough to live by them.
  • Deuteronomy 5:31 sets up the rest of the book, where Moses will explain these laws in detail, showing the seriousness of preparing the people to live rightly in the promised land.

Where else these words appear

“me” Hebrew H5978 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
  • 1 Samuel 10:2 When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
  • Job 23:6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

“teach” 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.

“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.