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 5:31KJVWhat 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.