Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 5דברים 5

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Moses re-proclaims the Decalogue to the generation entering the land, insisting the covenant was cut not with the fathers but with 'us, here, today, all of us, alive.' The Ten Words are restated with deuteronomic accents — Sabbath grounded in the exodus, filial and social duties expanded — while the people's fire-dread installs Moses as covenant mediator, that Israel may live by walking in YHWH's whole way.

Translation & textual notes

This chapter transmits the Decalogue's second recitation with deliberate divergences from Exodus 20 that later exegesis treated as substantive. Verse 12 reads שָׁמוֹר ('observe,' infinitive absolute) for the Sabbath where Exodus 20:8 has זָכוֹר ('remember'), and vv. 12, 16 add 'as YHWH your God commanded you,' pointing back to a prior command rather than presenting the law as newly minted. The Sabbath rationale in v. 15 grounds rest in the exodus from slavery rather than creation's seventh day (Exod 20:11), and v. 14 adds that the slave and maidservant may rest 'as you do' (כָּמוֹךָ), plus the ox and donkey alongside general livestock. The coveting command (v. 21) fronts the wife ahead of the house, splits the verb into תַחְמֹד for the wife and תִתְאַוֶּה for house and goods, and adds 'his field' (שָׂדֵהוּ), absent from Exodus 20:17. Verse 10 preserves a classic Kethiv-Qere crux: the consonantal מצותו ('his commandments') is read as מִצְוֹתָי ('my commandments,' Qere), matching Exodus 20:6 and resolving an apparent shift into third-person divine speech. Verse 5's report that Moses stood 'between YHWH and you' sits in tension with v. 4's claim that YHWH spoke 'face to face,' a juxtaposition commentators have long wrestled to reconcile without emending the text. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיִּקְרָ֣א מֹשֶׁה֮ אֶל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם שְׁמַ֤ע יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת הַחֻקִּ֣ים וְאֶת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י דֹּבֵ֥ר בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם וּלְמַדְתֶּ֣ם אֹתָ֔ם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַעֲשֹׂתָֽם

And Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances that I am speaking in your hearing today, and you shall learn them and observe them, to do them.

Narrative frame introducing the second proclamation of the Decalogueasyndeton
The wayyiqtol chain (וַיִּקְרָא...וַיֹּאמֶר) opens Moses' address as a fresh summons of 'all Israel,' priming the chapter's actualizing rhetoric (v. 3) and the שָׁמַע/לָמַד/שָׁמַר/עָשָׂה chain structuring Israel's covenant response.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיִּקְרָ֣אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon, proclaim'; Moses convening the whole nation for the covenant restatement.
מֹשֶׁה֮MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the covenant mediator throughout Deuteronomy; traditionally linked to מָשָׁה 'draw out' (Exod 2:10).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward', governing כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל as object of the summons.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head governing יִשְׂרָאֵלכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; construct form totalizing the audience.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name (Gen 32:29); the whole nation gathered as one covenant body.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Moses' direct speech, which runs to the chapter's end.
אֲלֵהֶ֗םto themprep אֶל + 3mp sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (addressees)אֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix, resuming כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל.
שְׁמַ֤עhearQal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (imperative, opening command)→ Volitional: imperative summons to attentionשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the programmatic verb of Deuteronomy — hearing that issues in obedience (cf. 6:4).
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative (direct address)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); vocative matching שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל of 6:4, casting the restatement in the same urgent register.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks הַחֻקִּים as definite direct object of דֹּבֵר.
הַחֻקִּ֣יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Direct object (first of pair)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, prescribed limit', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree'; paired with מִשְׁפָּטִים as the two broad categories of law.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים as definite.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔יםthe ordinancesart + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object (second of pair)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance, case-law', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; the case-law counterpart to the apodictic חֻקִּים.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose Hebrew relative, introducing the clause describing the statutes just named.
אָנֹכִ֛יIindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumed by the participle)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun; explicit subject alongside דֹּבֵר underscores Moses' present, personal mediation.
דֹּבֵ֥רspeakingQal ptc ms abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate participle (present/progressive, relative clause)→ Participle: durative — an act in progress at the moment of speakingדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; frames Moses' proclamation as happening now, in the hearers' presence.
בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֖םin your earsprep בְּ + N f dual constr/2mp sfx · אֹזֶן (H241)Locative prepositional phrase (manner: audibly)אֹזֶן (H241) 'ear', dual form; 'in your ears' is idiomatic for direct, unmediated oral address.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article, idiomatic 'today' — the first note of this chapter's insistence on the present moment (cf. v. 3).
וּלְמַדְתֶּ֣םand you shall learnQal weqatal 2mp · לָמַד (H3925)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing the imperative sequence)→ Weqatal: consequential/volitional — a charge following from the command to hearלָמַד (H3925) 'to learn'; opens the hearing-learning-keeping-doing chain structuring Israel's covenant response.
אֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְמַדְתֶּםאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, resuming הַחֻקִּים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖םand you shall keepQal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing sequence)→ Weqatal: consequential/volitional — obligation following from hearing and learningשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; anticipates שָׁמוֹר in the Sabbath command (v. 12).
לַעֲשֹׂתָֽםto do themprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3mp sfx · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal toward which hearing, learning, and keeping tendעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; the chain's terminus — law exists to be enacted, not merely known.
2

יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת עִמָּ֛נוּ בְּרִ֖ית בְּחֹרֵֽב

YHWH our God cut a covenant with us at Horeb.

Elaboration of v. 1's summons — grounds the statutes and ordinances in a specific covenant eventasyndeton
Asyndetic identification of the covenant's origin at Horeb sets up the emphatic contrast of v. 3, which denies the covenant was cut with 'the fathers' and insists it is with the present generation.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, traditionally read אֲדֹנָי; grounds every subsequent command in this covenant-making God.
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּour GodN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (title)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix 'our God'; plural of majesty construed as singular, in apposition to the personal name.
כָּרַ֥תcutQal perf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiomatic כָּרַת בְּרִית 'to cut a covenant', reflecting the ritual cutting of animals in covenant ceremony (cf. Gen 15).
עִמָּ֛נוּwith usprep עִם + 1cp sfx · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (covenant partner)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks Israel as covenant partner, set up for v. 3's emphatic denial that this covenant was with the fathers.
בְּרִ֖יתa covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct objectבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant, pact'; the sworn, binding relationship YHWH established at Horeb.
בְּחֹרֵֽבat Horebprep בְּ + N proper · חֹרֵב (H2722)Locative prepositional phraseחֹרֵב (H2722), Deuteronomy's regular name for Sinai, 'the mountain of God' — the site of covenant-cutting.
3

לֹ֣א אֶת אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה אֶת הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את כִּ֣י אִתָּ֗נוּ אֲנַ֨חְנוּ אֵ֥לֶּה פֹ֛ה הַיּ֖וֹם כֻּלָּ֥נוּ חַיִּֽים

It was not with our fathers that YHWH cut this covenant, but with us — we ourselves, here, today, all of us, alive.

Central actualizing thesis: the covenant addressee redefined from 'the fathers' to the present, living assemblyכִּי (adversative)
The rapid apposition אֲנַחְנוּ אֵלֶּה פֹה הַיּוֹם כֻּלָּנוּ חַיִּים ('we, these, here, today, all of us, alive') is the chapter's rhetorical center: it collapses the distance between the Horeb generation and every later hearer, making the covenant proclamation perpetually contemporary (cf. 29:14-15).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following prepositional phrase (fronted for emphasis)לֹא (H3808), the standard negative; fronted before אֶת אֲבֹתֵינוּ to throw emphatic denial onto 'our fathers' rather than the verb.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת/עִם (H854)Prepositional phrase, fronted for emphatic contrast (denied covenant partner)אֵת (H854) 'with' (companionship — distinct from the object-marker אֵת H853); governs אֲבֹתֵינוּ as the denied covenant partner.
אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּour fathersN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אָב (H1)Object of אֶת ('with'), fronted for emphasisאָב (H1) 'father'; with 1cp suffix, the wilderness/patriarchal generation explicitly excluded as the covenant's addressee — the rhetorical crux of the verse.
כָּרַ֥תdid...cutQal perf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act, here denied of the fathersכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; repeats v. 2's verb, now denying its pairing with the fathers as covenant partner.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the same subject as v. 2 — the ACTOR is unchanged even as the covenant PARTNER is redefined.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַבְּרִית הַזֹּאת as definite direct object — a homograph of the preceding preposition אֶת (H854) 'with' that the MT consonants do not distinguish.
הַבְּרִ֣יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct objectבְּרִית (H1285); the article points anaphorically back to v. 2's covenant just named.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstr pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַבְּרִיתזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fem.); intensifies the immediacy of the covenant — THIS one, not merely a past one.
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction introducing the counter-assertionכִּי (H3588), here adversative 'but rather' after the negation, pivoting from denial to emphatic affirmation.
אִתָּ֗נוּwith usprep אֵת + 1cp sfx · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (true covenant partner, emphatic)אֵת (H854) 'with', with 1cp suffix; reverses v. 3a's אֶת אֲבֹתֵינוּ — the covenant partner relocated from the fathers to 'us'.
אֲנַ֨חְנוּweindep pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Appositional resumptive pronoun (emphatic, first of the chain)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; first of the rapid-fire chain (we, these, here, today, all of us, alive) that hammers home the actualizing rhetoric.
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Appositional resumptive pronounאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; second appositive, pointing at the physically present assembly.
פֹ֛הhereadverb · פֹּה (H6311)Adverbial appositive (place)פֹּה (H6311) 'here'; locates the covenant renewal in THIS place — anticipates v. 31's פֹּה of Moses standing with YHWH.
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial appositive (time)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; idiomatic 'today', echoing v. 1's הַיּוֹם and grounding the covenant in the present moment, not mere memory.
כֻּלָּ֥נוּall of usN m sg constr/1cp sfx · כֹּל (H3605)Appositional resumptive (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with 1cp suffix, insists no member of the present assembly stands outside this covenant.
חַיִּֽיםaliveadj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjective, climactic final appositiveחַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; the chain's climax — the covenant is with the LIVING, not the dead fathers (cf. Luke 20:38).
4

פָּנִ֣ים בְּפָנִ֗ים דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה עִמָּכֶ֛ם בָּהָ֖ר מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ

YHWH spoke with you face to face on the mountain, out of the midst of the fire.

Describes the manner and medium of the Horeb theophany, immediately qualified by v. 5's mediating roleasyndeton
'Face to face' (פָּנִים בְּפָנִים) claims maximal directness of address, yet v. 5 immediately reports that Moses stood between YHWH and the people because they feared the fire — the chapter juxtaposes rather than resolves this tension, matching Exodus 20:19's account of the people asking Moses to mediate.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
פָּנִ֣יםfaceN c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial accusative (manner), first half of the idiom פָּנִים בְּפָנִיםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plural form, singular sense); paired with בְּפָנִים for 'face to face' — intimate, direct address, in tension with v. 5's mediating role for Moses.
בְּפָנִ֗יםto faceprep בְּ + N c pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Completes the adverbial idiom 'face to face'פָּנִים (H6440) repeated with בְּ; the doubled idiom stresses directness of address even though Moses stood between (v. 5) — a tension juxtaposed, not resolved.
דִּבֶּ֨רspokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the intensive stem regularly used for authoritative divine speech.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the direct theophanic address.
עִמָּכֶ֛םwith youprep עִם + 2mp sfx · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (addressee)עִם (H5973) 'with', 2mp; the whole assembly, not merely Moses, is named as addressee of the direct speech.
בָּהָ֖רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; refers to Horeb (v. 2), the site of theophany.
מִתּ֥וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; construct with הָאֵשׁ describes the fire as the medium of the theophany.
הָאֵֽשׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the recurring visible medium of the Horeb theophany (cf. 4:12,15,33,36), which the people fear will consume them (v. 25).
5

אָ֠נֹכִי עֹמֵ֨ד בֵּין יְהוָ֤ה וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְהַגִּ֥יד לָכֶ֖ם אֶת דְּבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֤י יְרֵאתֶם֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הָאֵ֔שׁ וְלֹֽא עֲלִיתֶ֥ם בָּהָ֖ר לֵאמֹֽר

I was standing between YHWH and you at that time, to tell you the word of YHWH, for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain — saying:

Moses recounts his mediating role, explaining the people's fear as its causeכִּי (causal, embedded)
The participle עֹמֵד ('was standing') portrays Moses' stance as sustained and positional, formally reconciling v. 4's 'face to face' with the mediating role that follows: direct address occurred, but relayed through a human intermediary because the people, afraid of the fire, refused to ascend.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
אָ֠נֹכִיIindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic pronoun opening Moses' account of his own mediating role.
עֹמֵ֨דwas standingQal ptc ms abs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate participle (past durative)→ Participle: durative — a sustained stance, not a single completed actעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; the participle depicts Moses' ongoing, positional mediation, in tension with v. 4's 'face to face'.
בֵּיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (spatial/relational mediation)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; marks Moses' position as intermediary, correlative with the following וּבֵין.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of בֵּין (first term)יְהוָה (H3068); first term of the בֵּין...וּבֵין construction.
וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙and between youconj + prep בֵּין + 2mp sfx · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (second term of the pair)בֵּין (H996) repeated with 2mp suffix; completes the correlative 'between YHWH and between you', positioning Moses as go-between.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Adverbial prepositional phrase (time)עֵת (H6256) 'time'; with the following demonstrative, 'at that time' — anchoring the mediation to the Horeb moment.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + indep pron 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעֵתהִיא (H1931) used demonstratively with the article, 'that (time)' — the pronoun doing duty as a far demonstrative.
לְהַגִּ֥ידto tellprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָגַד (H5046)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal of Moses' mediating stanceנָגַד (H5046) Hiphil 'to tell, declare, report'; Moses' mediating function specified as relaying YHWH's word.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + 2mp sfx · לְIndirect object of לְהַגִּידלְ, dative preposition marking the recipients of Moses' report — the whole assembly.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking דְּבַר יְהוָה as definite direct object of לְהַגִּיד.
דְּבַ֣רthe word ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object, construct headדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct with יְהוָה, 'the word of YHWH' — what Moses is commissioned to relay.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of דְּבַר (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068); genitive of source, 'YHWH's word'.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for Moses' mediationכִּי (H3588), causal 'for, because'; explains WHY Moses stood as go-between — the people's fear.
יְרֵאתֶם֙you were afraidQal perf 2mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed state — fear as an accomplished fact prompting the request for mediationיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the people's dread of the theophany, resolved in v. 27's request that Moses alone approach.
מִפְּנֵ֣יbecause ofprep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) in the idiom מִפְּנֵי 'because of, from before'; here the cause of the people's fear.
הָאֵ֔שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִפְּנֵיאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; object of the people's fear, echoing v. 4.
וְלֹֽאand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinates a second negated verb with יְרֵאתֶםלֹא (H3808) negating עֲלִיתֶם — fear resulted in refusal to ascend.
עֲלִיתֶ֥םyou went upQal perf 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (coordinate, negated)→ Perfective: a completed act, here negated — the people's refusal to ascendעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the people's fear-driven refusal to approach the mountain themselves.
בָּהָ֖רthe mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb, the site the people declined to ascend.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct discourse (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: quotative — formally opens the direct speech that followsאָמַר (H559) Qal infinitive construct in the frozen quotative formula לֵאמֹר 'saying', introducing the divine speech of v. 6ff.
6

אָֽנֹכִי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר הוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים

I am YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves.

Self-identification formula (preamble) grounding the Decalogue's commands in YHWH's prior redemptive actasyndeton
This preamble supplies the rationale, not merely the authority, for the commands that follow: allegiance is owed because of what YHWH has already done, not as a precondition for future blessing. The formula recurs, expanded, in v. 15's Sabbath rationale.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אָֽנֹכִי֙Iindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (copula implied)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; opens the self-identification formula grounding the entire Decalogue in YHWH's prior redemptive act.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (in apposition to אָנֹכִי)יְהוָה (H3068); the covenant name, identifying the speaker.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix 'your God'; personalizes the covenant relationship to each hearer (singular 'you' runs through the Decalogue).
אֲשֶׁ֧רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the redemption clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the historical basis (the exodus) for YHWH's claim on Israel's exclusive allegiance.
הוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָbrought you outHiphil perf 1cs/2ms sfx · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the exodus as accomplished redemptionיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus event, ground and rationale for the commandments' claim on Israel.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, the place of bondage.
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, dual/plural form (perhaps reflecting Upper and Lower Egypt); the site of Israel's slavery and the exodus.
מִבֵּ֥יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative prepositional phrase, in parallel to מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִםבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct with עֲבָדִים, the recurring formula 'house of slaves' characterizing Egypt.
עֲבָדִֽיםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement of מִבֵּיתעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; Israel's former status, remembered here and again in v. 15's Sabbath rationale.
7

לֹא יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים עַל פָּנָֽיַ

You shall have no other gods before my face.

First Word: exclusive allegiance to YHWH aloneasyndeton
The apodictic negative (לֹא + yiqtol) format begins here and structures the rest of the Decalogue; עַל פָּנַי ('before my face') claims exclusive rights in YHWH's very presence, not merely priority in worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808) with yiqtol expresses an enduring prohibition — the standard form of apodictic law.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential 'there shall be (to you)' = 'you shall have'.
לְךָ֛to youprep לְ + 2ms sfx · לְDative of possessionלְ, dative of possession with הָיָה — the idiom 'to have'.
אֱלֹהִ֥יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of יִהְיֶהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods' (indefinite here, unlike its use for Israel's God); any rival deity.
אֲחֵרִ֖יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; the standard deuteronomic term for rival deities (אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים).
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (rank/presence: 'in defiance of, ahead of')עַל (H5921) 'upon, over, before'; עַל פָּנַי idiomatically 'in my presence' — no rival tolerated in YHWH's presence.
פָּנָֽיַmy faceN c pl constr/1cs sfx · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitive complement of עַלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with עַל, the idiom for exclusive divine presence — the first and foundational Word of the Decalogue.
8

לֹֽ֣א תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה לְךָ֥ פֶ֨סֶל֙ כָּל תְּמוּנָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ מִמַּ֔עַל וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּ֑חַת וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּמַּ֖יִם מִתַּ֥חַת לָאָֽרֶץ

You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of what is in the heavens above, or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth.

Second Word: the ban on images, extended to any likeness across the three cosmic zonesasyndeton
The threefold אֲשֶׁר clause (heaven, earth, water) systematically closes off any possible source for a cult image, matching the totalizing merism of Genesis 1's created order; the concern is developed narratively in 4:15-19's warning that Israel saw no form at Horeb.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לֹֽ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808) with yiqtol, the same enduring-prohibition pattern as v. 7.
תַעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; the second Word forbids fabricating any cultic image.
לְךָ֥for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms sfx · לְDative of interest/benefitלְ, marking the image as made for one's own cultic use.
פֶ֨סֶל֙a carved imageN m sg constr · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct objectפֶּסֶל (H6459) 'idol, carved image', from פָּסַל 'to hew, carve'; the physical cult object explicitly forbidden.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing תְּמוּנָה (appositional to פֶסֶל)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; extends the ban to every representational likeness, not only carved idols.
תְּמוּנָ֔הlikenessN f sg abs · תְּמוּנָה (H8544)Genitive complement of כָּלתְּמוּנָה (H8544) 'form, likeness, representation'; broadens פֶסֶל to prohibit any visual representation of deity (cf. 4:15-16).
אֲשֶׁ֤רthat (is)relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, first of three parallel clausesאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the first of three cosmic-zone clauses (heaven, earth, water) covering all possible referents.
בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙in the heavensprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Locative complement (predicate of the relative clause)שָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; first of the three cosmic zones.
מִמַּ֔עַלaboveprep מִן + adverb · מַעַל (H4605)Adverbial modifier reinforcing בַּשָּׁמַיִםמַעַל (H4605) 'above, upward'; reinforces the heavenly zone as the topmost.
וַאֲשֶׁ֥רor that (is)conj + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, second parallel clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), second of the three clauses — the earth.
בָּאָ֖רֶץin the earthprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative complementאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; second of the three cosmic zones.
מִתָּ֑חַתbeneathprep מִן + prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial modifier reinforcing בָּאָרֶץתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; reinforces the terrestrial zone as beneath the heavens.
וַאֲשֶׁ֥רor that (is)conj + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, third parallel clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), third of the three clauses — the waters.
בַּמַּ֖יִםin the watersprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Locative complementמַיִם (H4325) 'water(s)'; third of the three cosmic zones, completing heaven-earth-sea.
מִתַּ֥חַתunderprep מִן + prep · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial modifier reinforcing בַּמַּיִםתַּחַת (H8478) 'under'; specifies the waters as beneath the earth's surface.
לָאָֽרֶץthe earthprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Complement of מִתַּחַתאֶרֶץ (H776); completes 'under the earth' — the subterranean waters, matching Exod 20:4's cosmology.
9

לֹא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א תָעָבְדֵ֑ם כִּ֣י אָנֹכִ֞י יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ אֵ֣ל קַנָּ֔א פֹּ֠קֵד עֲוֺ֨ן אָב֧וֹת עַל בָּנִ֛ים וְעַל שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים וְעַל רִבֵּעִ֖ים לְשֹׂנְאָֽי

You shall not bow down to them, and you shall not serve them, for I, YHWH your God, am a jealous God, visiting the guilt of the fathers on the children, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.

Grounds the ban on images and worship (vv. 8-9a) in YHWH's jealous character, paired with v. 10's covenant loyaltyכִּי (causal)
The 'third and fourth generation' formula is explicitly bounded by לְשֹׂנְאָי ('of those who hate me') — the consequence tracks perpetuated rejection of YHWH within a household, not mere biological descent, and stands in deliberate contrast with the 'thousand generations' of loyal love in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), continuing the apodictic negative pattern.
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥הyou shall bow downHishtaphel impf 2ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandשָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; the reflexive stem denotes an act of worship forbidden toward images.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְIndirect object (the forbidden images/gods)לְ, marking the images of v. 8 as the forbidden object of homage.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinates a second prohibitionלֹא (H3808), coordinating a second, related prohibition — service alongside worship.
תָעָבְדֵ֑םyou shall serve themHophal impf 2ms/3mp sfx · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (prohibition, coordinate clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work, worship'; pairs cultic bowing with cultic service — the full range of image-worship forbidden.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing YHWH's self-descriptionכִּי (H3588), causal; grounds the prohibition in YHWH's own jealous character.
אָנֹכִ֞יIindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumed in apposition)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic, resuming v. 6's self-identification.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Apposition to אָנֹכִייְהוָה (H3068); the covenant name repeated for emphasis.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, as in v. 6.
אֵ֣לa GodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate noun (apposition, head of noun phrase)אֵל (H410), the generic Semitic term for 'god', here in apposition with the adjective קַנָּא.
קַנָּ֔אjealousadj m sg abs · קַנָּא (H7067)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלקַנָּא (H7067) 'jealous, zealous'; YHWH's exclusive claim on Israel's loyalty tolerates no rival, likened to the exclusivity of a marriage bond.
פֹּ֠קֵדvisitingQal ptc ms abs · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate participle (characterizing YHWH's ongoing dealing with sin)→ Participle: characteristic — an ongoing pattern of YHWH's justice, not a one-time actפָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, attend to, reckon'; here 'visiting/reckoning guilt' — judicial accounting, not indiscriminate punishment (cf. Ezek 18).
עֲוֺ֨ןthe guilt ofN c sg constr · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object, construct headעָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; construct with אָבוֹת, the accumulated guilt of a sinning household.
אָב֧וֹתfathersN m pl abs · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of עֲוֺןאָב (H1) 'father'; the guilty parent generation, contrasted with the children of the next clause.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (recipient of the visitation)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; marks בָּנִים as those on whom guilt is 'visited' — understood by later tradition as continuing sin, not mere ancestry (cf. 24:16).
בָּנִ֛יםthe childrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Object of עַלבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; the following generations affected by a persistent pattern of covenant infidelity.
וְעַלand onconj + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinated prepositional phraseעַל (H5921), repeated for the next generation in the escalating series.
שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥יםthe third generationN m pl abs (ordinal-derived) · שִׁלֵּשׁ (H8029)Object of וְעַלשִׁלֵּשׁ (H8029) 'third (generation)'; part of the standard 'third and fourth generation' formula bounding the extent of consequence.
וְעַלand onconj + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinated prepositional phraseעַל (H5921), repeated again for the fourth generation.
רִבֵּעִ֖יםthe fourth generationN m pl abs (ordinal-derived) · רִבֵּעַ (H7256)Object of וְעַלרִבֵּעַ (H7256) 'fourth (generation)'; completes the formula — roughly the span of a household under one roof, bounding rather than extending judgment indefinitely.
לְשֹׂנְאָֽיof those who hate meprep לְ + Qal ptc mp constr/1cs sfx · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Genitive complement qualifying the whole 'third/fourth generation' formula→ Participle: characteristic — an ongoing disposition of hatred, not mere descentשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; limits the transgenerational consequence to those who PERPETUATE the fathers' rejection of YHWH, not innocent descendants (contrast v. 10's 'those who love me').
10

וְעֹ֥שֶׂה חֶ֖סֶד לַֽאֲלָפִ֑ים לְאֹהֲבַ֖י וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מצותו מִצְוֺתָֽי

But showing covenant loyalty to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments.

Positive counterpart to v. 9: YHWH's covenant loyalty vastly outweighs the consequence of rejectionasyndeton
The verse preserves a classic Kethiv-Qere crux: the written consonants (Kethiv) מצותו read 'his commandments' (third person), while tradition directs the reader to pronounce the Qere מִצְוֹתָי 'my commandments' (first person), restoring the first-person divine voice and matching Exodus 20:6. The asymmetry between v. 9's 'third and fourth generation' and this verse's 'thousands' is deliberate and programmatic (cf. Exod 34:6-7).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְעֹ֥שֶׂהbut showingconj + Qal ptc ms abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate participle, coordinate with פֹּקֵד of v. 9 (contrastive)→ Participle: characteristic — YHWH's ongoing disposition of covenant loyalty, contrasted with v. 9's visiting of guiltעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, show'; עֹשֶׂה חֶסֶד 'showing covenant loyalty' — the positive counterpart to v. 9's פֹּקֵד עָוֹן, vastly disproportionate in scope.
חֶ֖סֶדcovenant loyaltyN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct object of עֹשֶׂהחֶסֶד (H2617) 'steadfast love, covenant loyalty, kindness'; a central term for the loyal love proper to covenant relationship.
לַֽאֲלָפִ֑יםto thousandsprep לְ + numeral m pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Prepositional phrase specifying the scope of recipientsאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; likely elliptical for 'thousand generations' (cf. 7:9) — the vast asymmetry with v. 9's three-four generations underscores mercy as YHWH's dominant disposition.
לְאֹהֲבַ֖יto those who love meprep לְ + Qal ptc mp constr/1cs sfx · אָהַב (H157)Genitive complement specifying the recipients of חֶסֶד→ Participle: characteristic — an ongoing disposition of love toward YHWHאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; covenant love expressed in loyalty and obedience, not mere sentiment (cf. 6:5).
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥יand to those who keepconj + prep לְ + Qal ptc mp constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Coordinated genitive complement, parallel to לְאֹהֲבַי→ Participle: characteristic — an ongoing disposition of keeping YHWH's commandmentsשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; love of YHWH is defined in practice as keeping his commandments — the verb anticipated in v. 1's שְׁמַרְתֶּם.
מצותוhis commandments (Kethiv)Kethiv: N f pl constr/3ms sfx · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of שֹׁמְרֵי (as written, Kethiv)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the consonantal Kethiv מצותו reads 'his commandments' (3ms), an apparent shift to third-person reference to YHWH mid-quotation, resolved by the following Qere.
מִצְוֺתָֽיmy commandments (Qere)Qere: N f pl constr/1cs sfx · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of שֹׁמְרֵי (as read, Qere)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the Qere מִצְוֹתָי 'my commandments' (1cs) is read in place of the Kethiv, restoring first-person divine speech and matching Exodus 20:6 exactly.
11

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת שֵֽׁם יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא

You shall not lift up the name of YHWH your God for emptiness, for YHWH will not acquit whoever lifts up his name for emptiness.

Third Word: the ban on empty or false invocation of the divine name, reinforced by its own embedded sanctionכִּי (causal)
Alone among the Ten Words besides the Sabbath, this command carries its own explicit sanction clause (כִּי לֹא יְנַקֶּה...), repeating לַשָּׁוְא as an inclusio; שָׁוְא targets false, empty, or manipulative use of YHWH's name (false oaths, curses, incantations), not merely casual speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), continuing the apodictic pattern.
תִשָּׂ֛אyou shall lift upQal impf 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; idiom נָשָׂא שֵׁם 'to bear/invoke a name', extended to swearing or otherwise misusing YHWH's name.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שֵׁם as definite direct object.
שֵֽׁםthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object, construct headשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct with יְהוָה — invoking or bearing YHWH's own name.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of שֵׁםיְהוָה (H3068); the covenant name, object of the prohibition against misuse.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, as in vv. 6, 9.
לַשָּׁ֑וְאfor emptinessprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · שָׁוְא (H7723)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/purpose)שָׁוְא (H7723) 'emptiness, vanity, falsehood'; defines the prohibited misuse — the EMPTY, false, or vain invocation of the name, not the name itself.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the sanctionכִּי (H3588), causal, introducing the divine guarantee that backs the prohibition.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְנַקֶּהלֹא (H3808), negating the verb of acquittal.
יְנַקֶּה֙will acquitPiel impf 3ms · נָקָה (H5352)Predicate verb (sanction clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: future/durative — an enduring guarantee of non-acquittalנָקָה (H5352) Piel 'to acquit, hold innocent, leave unpunished'; YHWH himself guarantees the misuser will not go free.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the same divine name whose misuse is at issue is also the guarantor of judgment.
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the relative clause אֲשֶׁר יִשָּׂא... as the (personified) object of יְנַקֶּה.
אֲשֶׁרwhoeverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a headless relative clause (the guilty party)אֲשֶׁר (H834); functioning here as 'whoever', generalizing the sanction beyond any single case.
יִשָּׂ֥אlifts upQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb within the relative clause→ Yiqtol: iterative/generic — a recurring type of offenseנָשָׂא (H5375), repeating v. 11a's verb, now third person for the general case.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שְׁמוֹ as definite direct object of יִשָּׂא.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg constr/3ms sfx · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) with 3ms suffix, referring back to YHWH's name.
לַשָּֽׁוְאfor emptinessprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · שָׁוְא (H7723)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/purpose), repeating v. 11aשָׁוְא (H7723), repeated verbatim, forming an inclusio around the Third Word.
12

שָׁמ֛וֹר אֶת י֥וֹם הַשַׁבָּ֖ת לְקַדְּשׁ֑וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as YHWH your God commanded you.

Fourth Word: Sabbath observance, introduced with the deuteronomic שָׁמוֹר and an appeal to a prior commandasyndeton
שָׁמוֹר ('observe') replaces Exodus 20:8's זָכוֹר ('remember'), and 'as YHWH your God commanded you' — absent from Exodus 20 — points back to an earlier instruction, part of this chapter's pattern of framing the Decalogue as reiteration rather than fresh legislation; the full deuteronomic rationale (exodus, not creation) follows in v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
שָׁמ֛וֹרobserveQal inf abs (imperatival use) · שָׁמוֹר (H8104)Predicate verb (infinitive absolute functioning as imperative, opening command)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic imperatival force — an urgent, categorical commandשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the infinitive absolute שָׁמוֹר replaces Exodus 20:8's זָכוֹר ('remember') — Deuteronomy's shift from cognitive recollection to active observance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יוֹם הַשַׁבָּת as definite direct object.
י֥וֹםthe day ofN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object, construct headיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with הַשַׁבָּת.
הַשַׁבָּ֖תthe Sabbathart + N c sg abs · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Genitive complement of יוֹםשַׁבָּת (H7676) 'sabbath, rest', from שָׁבַת 'to cease, rest'; the seventh-day rest this command commands.
לְקַדְּשׁ֑וֹto sanctify itprep לְ + Piel inf constr/3ms sfx · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal of Sabbath observanceקָדַשׁ (H6942) Piel 'to sanctify, treat as holy'; the Sabbath is set apart from ordinary days by ceasing labor.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative/manner clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as'; introduces the deuteronomic addition absent from Exodus 20's Sabbath command, appealing to a prior command.
צִוְּךָ֖commanded youPiel perf 3ms/2ms sfx · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb within the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; 'as YHWH your God commanded you' recurs at v. 16, both additions unique to Deuteronomy's Decalogue, pointing back to earlier instruction.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוְּךָ.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition throughout the Decalogue.
13

שֵׁ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ תַּֽעֲבֹ֔ד וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ כָּל מְלַאכְתֶּֽךָ

Six days you shall labor and do all your work.

Sets the six-day workweek as the backdrop against which the seventh-day prohibition of v. 14 stands outasyndeton
The command to labor six days establishes the norm from which the seventh day's total cessation (v. 14) is a deliberate exception, not an ordinary rest day among others.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
שֵׁ֤שֶׁתsixnumeral m sg constr · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Construct governing יָמִים (adverbial accusative of time)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; construct with יָמִים, 'six days' — bounding the workweek before the seventh-day rest.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of שֵׁשֶׁת; together an adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, completing the numeral phrase.
תַּֽעֲבֹ֔דyou shall laborQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/customary — the regular pattern of the workweekעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, labor, serve'; the same root used of Egyptian slavery in vv. 6, 15, now describing ordinary, permitted labor.
וְעָשִׂ֖יתָand you shall doconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing sequence)→ Weqatal: consequential — completing the workweek's activityעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; parallels תַּעֲבֹד — the totality of one's ordinary work.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מְלַאכְתֶּךָכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totalizing the scope of permitted work across the six days.
מְלַאכְתֶּֽךָyour workN f sg constr/2ms sfx · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Genitive complement of כָּלמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, occupation, business'; the same term forbidden on the seventh day in v. 14 — total on ordinary days, nil on the Sabbath.
14

וְי֨וֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י שַׁבָּ֖ת לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹ֣א תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה כָל מְלָאכָ֡ה אַתָּ֣ה וּבִנְךָֽ וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ וְעַבְדְּךָֽ וַ֠אֲמָתֶךָ וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨ וַחֲמֹֽרְךָ֜ וְכָל בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָ וְגֵֽרְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ לְמַ֗עַן יָנ֛וּחַ עַבְדְּךָ֥ וַאֲמָתְךָ֖ כָּמֽוֹךָ

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your God: you shall not do any work — you, your son, your daughter, your male slave, your female slave, your ox, your donkey, any of your livestock, or the sojourner within your gates — so that your male slave and your female slave may rest as you do.

Elaborates the seventh-day prohibition with the full household list and its stated purposeasyndeton
The explicit purpose clause לְמַעַן יָנוּחַ ('so that ... may rest'), the naming of ox and donkey, and the climactic כָּמוֹךָ ('as you do') are all deuteronomic expansions beyond Exodus 20:10 — the Sabbath's social benefit for slaves and animals is made an explicit goal, not an incidental effect, anticipating v. 15's exodus-based rationale.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְי֨וֹם֙but the day ofconj + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Subject, construct headיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with הַשְּׁבִיעִי, resuming from v. 13's six days to the seventh.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יthe seventhart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Genitive complement of יוֹםשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; the ordinal completing 'the seventh day', the Sabbath proper.
שַׁבָּ֖תa SabbathN c sg abs · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Predicate nominativeשַׁבָּת (H7676); predicated of 'the seventh day' — it IS Sabbath, not merely observed as one.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement specifying to whom the Sabbath belongsיְהוָה (H3068) with לְ; the Sabbath is dedicated to YHWH, not a merely human institution.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), the standard prohibitive negative.
תַעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandעָשָׂה (H6213), the same verb as v. 13's 'do all your work', now negated for the seventh day.
כָלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מְלָאכָהכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the prohibition — no work whatsoever.
מְלָאכָ֡הworkN f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Direct objectמְלָאכָה (H4399), repeating v. 13's term, now forbidden entirely.
אַתָּ֣הyouindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Appositional subject, first of the household listאַתָּה (H859) 'you'; opens the list specifying who must rest — the male head of household addressed throughout the Decalogue.
וּבִנְךָֽor your sonconj + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinated appositional subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son', with 2ms suffix; second member of the household rest-list.
וּבִתֶּ֣ךָor your daughterconj + N f sg constr/2ms sfx · בַּת (H1323)Coordinated appositional subjectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; third member of the list.
וְעַבְדְּךָֽor your male slaveconj + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · עֶבֶד (H5650)Coordinated appositional subjectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave'; the household's own slave, whose rest is a deliberate deuteronomic emphasis (cf. v. 15).
וַ֠אֲמָתֶךָor your female slaveconj + N f sg constr/2ms sfx · אָמָה (H519)Coordinated appositional subjectאָמָה (H519) 'female slave, maidservant'; paired with עֶבֶד to include the whole household staff explicitly.
וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨or your oxconj + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · שׁוֹר (H7794)Coordinated appositional subjectשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox'; the first animal named — Deuteronomy extends Sabbath rest explicitly to draft animals, absent by name from Exodus 20:10's shorter list.
וַחֲמֹֽרְךָ֜or your donkeyconj + N c sg constr/2ms sfx · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Coordinated appositional subjectחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; paired with שׁוֹר, the two chief working animals — a deuteronomic addition to the Sabbath list.
וְכָלor all ofconj + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing בְּהֶמְתֶּךָכֹּל (H3605); totalizing beyond ox and donkey to every domestic animal.
בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָyour livestockN f sg constr/2ms sfx · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive complement of כָלבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast, livestock'; the general term covering any domestic animal not already named.
וְגֵֽרְךָ֙or your sojournerconj + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinated appositional subjectגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; the non-Israelite dependent living within Israelite households, included in the rest-benefit — recalling Israel's own sojourn in Egypt (cf. v. 15).
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle modifying גֵּרְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the qualifying location clause for the sojourner.
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָwithin your gatesprep בְּ + N m pl constr/2ms sfx · שַׁעַר (H8179)Locative prepositional phraseשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; idiomatic for 'within your towns/settlements' — the sojourner resident in Israelite territory.
לְמַ֗עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the deuteronomic purpose clause absent from Exodus 20 — the explicit goal of extending rest to dependents.
יָנ֛וּחַmay restQal impf 3ms · נוּחַ (H5117)Predicate verb within the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the intended outcome of Sabbath observanceנוּחַ (H5117) 'to rest'; the positive counterpart to the negated מְלָאכָה — cessation as REST, framed as a benefit extended TO the dependent members of the household.
עַבְדְּךָ֥your male slaveN m sg constr/2ms sfx · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of יָנוּחַעֶבֶד (H5650), repeated as subject of the purpose clause — the slave's own rest, not merely the master's convenience, is the stated goal.
וַאֲמָתְךָ֖and your female slaveconj + N f sg constr/2ms sfx · אָמָה (H519)Coordinated subject of יָנוּחַאָמָה (H519), repeated as coordinate subject.
כָּמֽוֹךָas you (do)prep כְּמוֹ + 2ms sfx · כְּמוֹ (H3644)Comparative prepositional phrase, climacticכְּמוֹ (H3644) 'like, as'; the climactic phrase — the slave's rest is explicitly equated WITH the master's own, absent from Exodus 20's version.
15

וְזָכַרְתָּ֗ כִּ֣י עֶ֤בֶד הָיִ֨יתָ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ מִשָּׁ֔ם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָ֖ה וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ נְטוּיָ֑ה עַל כֵּ֗ן צִוְּךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת י֥וֹם הַשַׁבָּֽת

And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm; therefore YHWH your God commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

Supplies the deuteronomic, exodus-based rationale for the Sabbath, replacing Exodus 20:11's creation rationaleasyndeton
וְזָכַרְתָּ ('you shall remember') pointedly redeploys the very verb Exodus 20:8 uses for the Sabbath itself, redirecting the act of remembering from divine rest at creation to Israel's own liberation from slavery — the social logic of extending rest to slaves and animals (v. 14) flows directly from this substitution.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְזָכַרְתָּ֗and you shall rememberconj + Qal weqatal 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (weqatal, introducing the rationale)→ Weqatal: consequential/imperatival — a continuing obligation to recallזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; strikingly, the verb Exodus 20:8 uses FOR the Sabbath command (זָכוֹר) is redeployed HERE for the exodus instead.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Introduces the content clause of rememberingכִּי (H3588), introducing indirect discourse — what is to be remembered.
עֶ֤בֶדa slaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate nominativeעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave'; predicated of the addressee — Israel's own former status.
הָיִ֨יתָ֙you wereQal perf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Perfective: a completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the fact of former bondage as the premise for the following clauses.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); construct with מִצְרַיִם, as in v. 6.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the place of bondage.
וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜and he brought you outconj + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms/2ms sfx · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence within the recalled content)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil, repeating v. 6's verb of the exodus, now made the explicit basis for Sabbath observance.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the exodus act.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition.
מִשָּׁ֔םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers back to Egypt, the place just named.
בְּיָ֥דwith a handprep בְּ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means/manner)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the standard idiom for divine power exercised in deliverance.
חֲזָקָ֖הstrongadj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; the fixed epithet 'mighty hand' recurring throughout Deuteronomy for the exodus deliverance.
וּבִזְרֹ֣עַand an armconj + prep בְּ + N c sg abs · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Coordinated adverbial prepositional phraseזְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'arm'; paired with יָד in the fixed formula 'mighty hand and outstretched arm', a hallmark deuteronomic phrase for the exodus.
נְטוּיָ֑הoutstretchedQal passive ptc fs abs · נָטָה (H5186)Attributive participle modifying זְרוֹעַ→ Participle: stative/passive — the arm's posture as extended in the act of deliveranceנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out, extend'; passive participle describing YHWH's arm as extended, an anthropomorphic image of decisive intervention.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Part of the idiom עַל כֵּןעַל (H5921); with כֵּן forms the causal idiom 'therefore'.
כֵּ֗ןthereforeadverb (with עַל) · כֵּן (H3651)Idiomatic causal connector introducing the conclusionכֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; עַל כֵּן 'therefore' draws the Sabbath command as the conclusion of the exodus-remembering — the deuteronomic rationale replacing Exodus 20:11's creation rationale.
צִוְּךָ֙commanded youPiel perf 3ms/2ms sfx · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause, conclusion)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680), the verb repeated from v. 12, now explicitly grounded in the exodus event just recalled.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוְּךָ.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition.
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹתto observeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complement infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: complementary — specifying the content of what YHWH commandedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here idiomatically 'to keep/observe' (the Sabbath day), completing צִוְּךָ.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יוֹם הַשַׁבָּת as definite direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹת.
י֥וֹםthe day ofN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object, construct headיוֹם (H3117), construct with הַשַׁבָּת, as in v. 12.
הַשַׁבָּֽתthe Sabbathart + N c sg abs · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Genitive complement of יוֹםשַׁבָּת (H7676); the command whose rationale this verse supplies, an inclusio with v. 12's opening שָׁמוֹר.
16

כַּבֵּ֤ד אֶת אָבִ֨יךָ֙ וְאֶת אִמֶּ֔ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן יַאֲרִיכֻ֣ן יָמֶ֗יךָ וּלְמַ֨עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ

Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God commanded you, so that your days may be long, and so that it may go well with you, on the land that YHWH your God is giving you.

Fifth Word: honoring parents, the hinge command bridging the divine-directed and neighbor-directed halves of the Decalogueasyndeton
As with the Sabbath (v. 12), Deuteronomy adds 'as YHWH your God commanded you,' absent from Exodus 20:12; the doubled purpose clause (long life; well-being in the land) ties filial honor directly to covenant blessing in the land Israel is about to enter.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
כַּבֵּ֤דhonorPiel impv 2ms · כִּבֵּד (H3513)Predicate verb (imperative, opening command)→ Volitional: imperative — a positive duty, the Decalogue's first affirmative commandכָּבֵד (H3513) Piel 'to honor, give weight to'; related to כָּבוֹד 'glory, weight' — treating parents with the 'weight' due their position.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking אָבִיךָ as definite direct object.
אָבִ֨יךָ֙your fatherN m sg constr/2ms sfx · אָב (H1)Direct object (first of pair)אָב (H1) 'father'; first object of honor, opening the transition from divine to human relationships.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853), marking אִמֶּךָ as the second, coordinate object.
אִמֶּ֔ךָyour motherN f sg constr/2ms sfx · אֵם (H517)Direct object (second of pair)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; named alongside father, both parents equally owed honor.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative/manner clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ; another deuteronomic addition, as in v. 12, appealing to a prior command.
צִוְּךָ֖commanded youPiel perf 3ms/2ms sfx · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb within the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680), the same appeal as v. 12, absent from Exodus 20:12's parallel command.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוְּךָ.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition.
לְמַ֣עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616) 'so that'; first of two paired purpose/result clauses attached to this command, as in Exod 20:12.
יַאֲרִיכֻ֣ןmay be longHiphil impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb within the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the promised outcome of honoring parentsאָרַךְ (H748) Hiphil 'to lengthen, prolong'; the promised long life for those who honor parents.
יָמֶ֗יךָyour daysN m pl constr/2ms sfx · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of יַאֲרִיכֻןיוֹם (H3117) 'day', plural with 2ms suffix; the subject whose length is promised.
וּלְמַ֨עַן֙and so thatconj + prep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Coordinated purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616), the second of the paired purpose clauses.
יִ֣יטַבit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb within the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the intended benefit of honoring parentsיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; the general well-being promised, complementing the specific promise of long life.
לָ֔ךְfor youprep לְ + 2fs sfx · לְDative complement of יִיטַבלְ, dative, marking the beneficiary — an anomalous 2fs suffix form in a passage otherwise addressed 2ms, a minor grammatical curiosity in the MT.
עַ֚לonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; introduces the land as the sphere of the promised well-being.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔הthe landart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land, soil'; the promised land, where honoring parents yields tangible blessing.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the land as YHWH's gift.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of נֹתֵן.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, the recurring apposition.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present/progressive, relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the gift of the land as an ongoing, present realityנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle frames the land-gift as continually in effect, characteristic of Deuteronomy's rhetoric of the land as YHWH's abiding gift.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs sfx · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ, dative, marking the recipient of the land — again the anomalous 2fs suffix, likely an orthographic archaism rather than a shift of addressee.
17

לֹ֖א תִּרְצָֽח

You shall not murder.

Sixth Word: the sanctity of human lifeasyndeton
The terse two-word form (לֹא + yiqtol) begins a run of minimal apodictic prohibitions (vv. 17-19) with no elaboration, in stark contrast to the expanded Sabbath, parent-honor, and coveting commands; רָצַח specifically targets unlawful killing, not war or judicial execution.
Word-by-word analysis· 2 words
לֹ֖אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), the terse apodictic negative opening the sixth Word.
תִּרְצָֽחyou shall murderQal impf 2ms · רָצַח (H7523)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandרָצַח (H7523) 'to murder, kill unlawfully'; distinct from הָרַג (kill generally) or הֵמִית (put to death judicially) — illegitimate, unauthorized killing, not warfare or capital justice.
18

וְלֹ֖א תִּנְאָֽף

And you shall not commit adultery.

Seventh Word: the sanctity of marriageוְ
Continues the terse apodictic series; נָאַף specifically denotes adultery (violation of another's marriage), distinct from other sexual prohibitions treated elsewhere in Israel's law.
Word-by-word analysis· 2 words
וְלֹ֖אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition), coordinated with v. 17לֹא (H3808), continuing the terse prohibitive series.
תִּנְאָֽףyou shall commit adulteryQal impf 2ms · נָאַף (H5003)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandנָאַף (H5003) 'to commit adultery'; sexual violation of another's marriage, protecting the marriage bond and family structure.
19

וְלֹ֖א תִּגְנֹֽב

And you shall not steal.

Eighth Word: the protection of property (and possibly person)וְ
Continues the terse apodictic series; some ancient interpreters, given its context among life- and person-protecting commands, read גָּנַב here as kidnapping specifically, though the plain sense covers theft generally.
Word-by-word analysis· 2 words
וְלֹ֖אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition), coordinated with vv. 17-18לֹא (H3808), continuing the terse prohibitive series.
תִּגְנֹֽבyou shall stealQal impf 2ms · גָּנַב (H1589)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandגָּנַב (H1589) 'to steal'; protects property broadly — later tradition debated whether this originally targeted kidnapping specifically, given its place beside life and marriage.
20

וְלֹֽא תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁוְא

And you shall not testify against your neighbor as a false witness.

Ninth Word: the protection of truthful testimony and the neighbor's standingוְ
Slightly more expanded than the strictly terse vv. 17-19, specifying the forum (עָנָה, testimony) and the quality forbidden (שָׁוְא, falsehood/emptiness) — protecting due process and the neighbor named again in v. 21.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), continuing the prohibitive series, though this Word is somewhat expanded beyond a bare two words.
תַעֲנֶ֥הyou shall testifyQal impf 2ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond, testify'; the forensic sense of giving testimony, as in a legal proceeding.
בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖against your neighborprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Prepositional phrase (adversative: against whom testimony is given)רֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion, fellow'; the community member protected from false testimony — the same term anticipating v. 21's coveting command.
עֵ֥דa witness ofN m sg constr · עֵד (H5707)Adverbial accusative (manner/predicate), construct headעֵד (H5707) 'witness'; construct with שָׁוְא, describing the kind of testimony forbidden.
שָֽׁוְאfalsehoodN m sg abs · שָׁוְא (H7723)Genitive complement of עֵדשָׁוְא (H7723) 'emptiness, falsehood'; the same term as v. 11's misuse of the name — testimony that is empty, false, or worthless, likely including malicious accusation as well as perjury.
21

וְלֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְלֹ֨א תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה בֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֗ךָ שָׂדֵ֜הוּ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ שׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְרֵעֶֽךָ

And you shall not desire your neighbor's wife. And you shall not covet your neighbor's house, his field, his male slave, his female slave, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Tenth Word: the prohibition of covetous desire, fronting the wife and splitting the verbasyndeton
Deuteronomy restructures Exodus 20:17 in three ways: the wife is fronted ahead of the house and given her own verb and clause (חָמַד, 'desire'), the household goods are governed by a second, different verb (הִתְאַוָּה, 'crave'), and 'his field' (שָׂדֵהוּ) is added — reflecting both heightened concern for the marriage bond and Deuteronomy's agrarian orientation toward the land Israel is about to possess.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְלֹ֥אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), opening the Tenth Word.
תַחְמֹ֖דyou shall desireQal impf 2ms · חָמַד (H2530)Predicate verb (prohibition, first clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandחָמַד (H2530) 'to desire, covet'; a strong term for desire that leads to action (cf. Gen 3:6) — here used specifically and only of the wife, distinctively fronted ahead of the house (contrast Exodus 20:17's house-then-wife order).
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object, construct headאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct with רֵעֶךָ — the wife named first and given her own dedicated verb (חָמַד), distinct from the household possessions that follow.
רֵעֶ֑ךָyour neighborN m sg constr/2ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁתרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, fellow', as in v. 20; the community member whose wife and property are protected.
וְלֹ֨אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition, second clause)לֹא (H3808), introducing the second half of the command, now with a different verb.
תִתְאַוֶּ֜הyou shall covetHitpael impf 2ms · אָוָה (H183)Predicate verb (prohibition, second clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandאָוָה (H183) Hitpael 'to desire strongly, crave, lust after'; a DIFFERENT verb from חָמַד, deliberately used for the house and goods — Deuteronomy splits the object into two clauses with two verbs, unlike Exodus 20:17's single חָמַד governing everything.
בֵּ֣יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Direct object, construct headבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; now heads the list governed by תִתְאַוֶּה, no longer paired directly with the wife as in Exodus 20:17.
רֵעֶ֗ךָyour neighborN m sg constr/2ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of בֵּיתרֵעַ (H7453), repeated.
שָׂדֵ֜הוּhis fieldN m sg constr/3ms sfx · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Coordinated direct object (appositional to בֵּית list)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; a deuteronomic addition absent from Exodus 20:17's parallel list, reflecting Deuteronomy's agrarian, land-centered concerns as Israel prepares to inherit and cultivate the land.
וְעַבְדּ֤וֹor his male slaveconj + N m sg constr/3ms sfx · עֶבֶד (H5650)Coordinated direct objectעֶבֶד (H5650), as in vv. 14-15; the neighbor's slave, part of his household property.
וַאֲמָתוֹ֙or his female slaveconj + N f sg constr/3ms sfx · אָמָה (H519)Coordinated direct objectאָמָה (H519), paired with עֶבֶד as in v. 14.
שׁוֹר֣וֹhis oxN m sg constr/3ms sfx · שׁוֹר (H7794)Coordinated direct objectשׁוֹר (H7794), as in v. 14 — the neighbor's draft animal.
וַחֲמֹר֔וֹor his donkeyconj + N c sg constr/3ms sfx · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Coordinated direct objectחֲמוֹר (H2543), paired with שׁוֹר as in v. 14.
וְכֹ֖לor anythingconj + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated direct object, head of the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, anything'; the catch-all closing term.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle modifying כֹלאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the closing catch-all clause.
לְרֵעֶֽךָbelongs to your neighborprep לְ + N m sg constr/2ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Predicate prepositional phrase (possession) within the relative clauseרֵעַ (H7453) with לְ, 'belonging to your neighbor'; closes the Tenth Word's list with a general possessive catch-all.
22

אֶֽת הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֡לֶּה דִּבֶּר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֶל כָּל קְהַלְכֶ֜ם בָּהָ֗ר מִתּ֤וֹךְ הָאֵשׁ֙ הֶֽעָנָ֣ן וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל וְלֹ֣א יָסָ֑ף וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗ם עַל שְׁנֵי֙ לֻחֹ֣ת אֲבָנִ֔ים וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם אֵלָֽי

These words YHWH spoke to all your assembly at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a great voice, and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Summarizes the Decalogue's unique mode of transmission: direct divine speech to the whole assembly, written by YHWH himselfasyndeton
וְלֹא יָסָף ('he added no more') marks the Ten Words as complete and closed in a way the rest of the law, mediated through Moses, is not; the threefold theophanic apparatus (fire, cloud, thick darkness) and YHWH's own authorship of the tablets underline the Decalogue's singular authority within Deuteronomy's larger legal corpus.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted for emphasis)אֵת (H853), marking הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה as definite direct object, fronted before the verb — 'THESE words' YHWH spoke.
הַדְּבָרִ֣יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (fronted)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here 'the Ten Words' (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, cf. 4:13; 10:4) just proclaimed.
הָאֵ֡לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; specifies the Decalogue just given as the exact and complete content of what follows.
דִּבֶּר֩spokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the same verb as v. 4, summarizing the whole Decalogue event now complete.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of דִּבֶּר.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; governs כָּל קְהַלְכֶם as the recipient of the divine speech.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing קְהַלְכֶםכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the audience, as in v. 1.
קְהַלְכֶ֜םyour assemblyN m sg constr/2mp sfx · קָהָל (H6951)Genitive complement of כָּלקָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; the whole gathered nation as a formal covenant-assembly at Horeb.
בָּהָ֗רat the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022); Horeb, as throughout.
מִתּ֤וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432), as in v. 4, introducing the theophanic media.
הָאֵשׁ֙the fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְ (first of three media)אֵשׁ (H784); first of three theophanic phenomena named together here.
הֶֽעָנָ֣ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Coordinated genitive complement (second medium)עָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; second theophanic phenomenon, not mentioned in vv. 4-5 but consistent with the wider Sinai tradition (Exod 19:16; 24:15-16).
וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔לand the thick darknessconj + art + N m sg abs · עֲרָפֶל (H6205)Coordinated genitive complement (third medium)עֲרָפֶל (H6205) 'thick darkness, gloom'; third theophanic phenomenon, emphasizing the mountain's obscured, awe-inducing appearance (cf. 4:11).
ק֥וֹלa voiceN m sg abs · קוֹל (H6963)Adverbial accusative (manner: with a great voice)קוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the audible dimension of the theophany, described further by the following adjective.
גָּד֖וֹלgreatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying קוֹלגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, loud'; describes the awesome volume of the divine speech.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating יָסָף.
יָסָ֑ףhe addedQal perf 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed, bounded act — the theophanic speech had a definite, closed endיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue'; 'he added no more' marks the Decalogue as complete and closed — spoken directly, unlike the rest of the law given through Moses.
וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗םand he wrote themconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms/3mp sfx · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; YHWH himself as the writer of the tablets (cf. Exod 31:18; 32:16), underscoring the direct divine origin of these Words.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; introduces the material medium of the writing.
שְׁנֵי֙twonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct governing לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct with לֻחֹת, the pair of stone tablets.
לֻחֹ֣תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive complement of שְׁנֵי, construct headלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; construct with אֲבָנִים — the physical medium of the written Decalogue.
אֲבָנִ֔יםstoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive complement of לֻחֹתאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the durable material chosen for the permanent covenant document.
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖םand he gave themconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms/3mp sfx · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; YHWH's direct transfer of the tablets to Moses, completing the mediation described in v. 5.
אֵלָֽיto meprep אֶל + 1cs sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַיִּתְּנֵםאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; Moses as first-person recipient, resuming his mediating role from v. 5.
23

וַיְהִ֗י כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤ם אֶת הַקּוֹל֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ וְהָהָ֖ר בֹּעֵ֣ר בָּאֵ֑שׁ וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַ֔י כָּל רָאשֵׁ֥י שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖ם וְזִקְנֵיכֶֽם

And when you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders.

Narrates the leaders' approach to Moses, setting up their direct speech in vv. 24-27asyndeton
קָרַב ('draw near') pointedly reverses v. 5's report that the people would not go up the mountain: they cannot approach YHWH directly, but they DO approach Moses, formally initiating the mediatorial arrangement the rest of the chapter describes.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative transition)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the standard formula introducing a new developmentהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the classic Hebrew narrative transition formula, shifting from the Decalogue's content to the people's reaction.
כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤םwhen you heardprep כְּ + Qal inf constr/2mp sfx · שָׁמַע (H8085)Temporal infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — marks the circumstance triggering the people's approachשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the same verb as v. 1's opening command, now describing the people's actual experience of hearing the voice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַקּוֹל as definite direct object of שָׁמְעֲכֶם.
הַקּוֹל֙the voiceart + N m sg abs · קוֹל (H6963)Direct objectקוֹל (H6963), resuming v. 22's ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל — the great voice just described.
מִתּ֣וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432), as in vv. 4, 22.
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְthe darknessart + N m sg abs · חֹשֶׁךְ (H2822)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְחֹשֶׁךְ (H2822) 'darkness'; a variant term alongside v. 22's עֲרָפֶל for the visually obscuring aspect of the theophany.
וְהָהָ֖רand the mountainconj + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of a circumstantial clauseהַר (H2022); subject of the following participle, a circumstantial clause describing the scene as the people heard the voice.
בֹּעֵ֣רwas burningQal ptc ms abs · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate participle (circumstantial clause)→ Participle: durative — an ongoing state accompanying the main actionבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; describes the mountain's continuous blazing throughout the theophany, the visual counterpart to the audible voice.
בָּאֵ֑שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means/manner)אֵשׁ (H784); the recurring theophanic element (cf. vv. 4-5, 22-26).
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּןand you came nearconj + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp (paragogic nun) · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence, main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַב (H7126) 'to approach, draw near'; the leaders' approach to Moses, contrasting with the people's earlier refusal to approach the mountain (v. 5).
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + 1cs sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (goal) of וַתִּקְרְבוּןאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; Moses as the one approached, reaffirming his mediating role.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing רָאשֵׁיכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the representative leadership that approached.
רָאשֵׁ֥יthe heads ofN m pl constr · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Genitive complement of כָּל, construct headרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; construct with שִׁבְטֵיכֶם — the tribal chiefs, representative leadership.
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖םyour tribesN m pl constr/2mp sfx · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Genitive complement of רָאשֵׁישֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; the twelve tribal divisions, here represented by their chiefs.
וְזִקְנֵיכֶֽםand your eldersconj + adj (substantival) m pl constr/2mp sfx · זָקֵן (H2205)Coordinated subject of וַתִּקְרְבוּןזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; the second body of representative leadership, alongside the tribal heads, approaching on behalf of the whole people.
24

וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ הֵ֣ן הֶרְאָ֜נוּ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ אֶת כְּבֹד֣וֹ וְאֶת גָּדְל֔וֹ וְאֶת קֹל֥וֹ שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ רָאִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי יְדַבֵּ֧ר אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת הָֽאָדָ֖ם וָחָֽי

And you said: Behold, YHWH our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire; this day we have seen that God speaks with man, and he lives.

The leaders' testimony to the theophany, marveling that a human being can survive hearing God speakasyndeton
The threefold verb sequence (show, hear, see) frames the leaders' own eyewitness report; their wonder that אֱלֹהִים יְדַבֵּר אֶת הָאָדָם וָחָי ('God speaks with man, and he lives') sets up the very fear expressed in v. 25 — awe at survival so far tips immediately into dread of not surviving further exposure.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַתֹּאמְר֗וּand you saidconj + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the leaders' direct speech to Moses, running through v. 27.
הֵ֣ןbeholdasseverative particle · הֵן (H2005)Introduces the speech with emphatic assertionהֵן (H2005) 'behold, lo'; an asseverative particle marking what follows as vivid, undeniable fact — the people's own testimony to the theophany.
הֶרְאָ֜נוּhas shown usHiphil perf 3ms/1cp sfx · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actרָאָה (H7200) Hiphil 'to show, cause to see'; YHWH as the one who has disclosed his glory — first of three parallel perception verbs (show, hear, see).
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of הֶרְאָנוּ.
אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙our GodN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix; the people speak collectively, echoing the covenant formula of vv. 2, 6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כְּבֹדוֹ as definite direct object of הֶרְאָנוּ.
כְּבֹד֣וֹhis gloryN c sg constr/3ms sfx · כָּבוֹד (H3519)Direct object (first of pair)כָּבוֹד (H3519) 'glory, weight, honor'; the visible, weighty manifestation of YHWH's presence in the theophany.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853), marking גָּדְלוֹ as the second, coordinate object.
גָּדְל֔וֹhis greatnessN m sg constr/3ms sfx · גֹּדֶל (H1433)Direct object (second of pair)גֹּדֶל (H1433) 'greatness, magnitude'; paired with כָּבוֹד to describe the overwhelming scale of what the people witnessed.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (object of the following verb)אֵת (H853), marking קֹלוֹ as the object of the following שָׁמַעְנוּ.
קֹל֥וֹhis voiceN m sg constr/3ms sfx · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object of שָׁמַעְנוּקוֹל (H6963), as throughout — the audible dimension now paired with its own verb, שָׁמַעְנוּ.
שָׁמַ֖עְנוּwe have heardQal perf 1cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, second of three parallel perception verbs)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive experienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the people's own testimony to hearing the voice, echoing v. 1's opening imperative now fulfilled as lived experience.
מִתּ֣וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432), as throughout the chapter.
הָאֵ֑שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784), the recurring theophanic medium.
הַיּ֤וֹםthis dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117); with the following demonstrative, 'this day' — echoing the chapter's recurring emphasis on the present moment (vv. 1, 3).
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; intensifies the immediacy of the day's experience.
רָאִ֔ינוּwe have seenQal perf 1cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, third of three parallel perception verbs)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive experienceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the third verb of perception, completing show-hear-see and echoing v. 24's opening הֶרְאָנוּ from the same root.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Introduces the content clause of what was 'seen'/realizedכִּי (H3588), introducing the content of the people's realization — the astonishing fact just witnessed.
יְדַבֵּ֧רspeaksPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Yiqtol: general/gnomic — a startling general truth just confirmed by experienceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the astonishing realization that God can speak directly with humanity.
אֱלֹהִ֛יםGodN m pl abs (construed sg) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subjectאֱלֹהִים (H430), here anarthrous, generic 'God' — emphasizing the category (a divine being speaking to mortals) rather than the covenant name.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת/עִם (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment/interlocutor)אֵת (H854) 'with' (not the object marker H853); marks הָאָדָם as the party God speaks WITH, not merely to.
הָֽאָדָ֖םmanart + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Object of אֶת (with)אָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; generic humanity — the sheer possibility of divine-human speech, not merely Israel's unique case, astonishes the people.
וָחָֽיand he livesconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Predicate verb (weqatal, result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — an astonished report that survival was actually possibleחָיָה (H2425) 'to live'; the people marvel that a human can hear God speak and yet survive — setting up v. 25's fear that continued exposure will prove fatal after all.
25

וְעַתָּה֙ לָ֣מָּה נָמ֔וּת כִּ֣י תֹֽאכְלֵ֔נוּ הָאֵ֥שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את אִם יֹסְפִ֣ים אֲנַ֗חְנוּ לִ֠שְׁמֹעַ אֶת ק֨וֹל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ ע֖וֹד וָמָֽתְנוּ

Now then, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we go on hearing the voice of YHWH our God any longer, we will die.

The leaders' rationale for requesting mediation: continued direct exposure to the divine voice is feared to be fatalוְ
The rhetorical question (לָמָּה נָמוּת, 'why should we die') and the closing וָמָתְנוּ ('we will die') form an inclusio bracketing the leaders' fear, directly answering v. 24's marveled report that hearing God 'and yet living' was possible — the people now doubt their luck will hold.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְעַתָּה֙and nowconj + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Adverbial transition marking the shift to petitionעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the pivot from testimony (v. 24) to urgent request and rationale (vv. 25-27).
לָ֣מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative adverb introducing the rhetorical questionמָה (H4100) with לְ, 'why, for what purpose'; a rhetorical question implicitly pleading for the direct address to stop.
נָמ֔וּתshould we dieQal impf 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (rhetorical/deliberative question)→ Yiqtol: deliberative — expresses the anticipated, feared outcomeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the fear driving the whole request — that continued direct exposure to YHWH's voice will be fatal.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the fearכִּי (H3588), causal, introducing the ground for the fear just voiced.
תֹֽאכְלֵ֔נוּwill consume usQal impf 3fs/1cp sfx · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Yiqtol: future/potential — the anticipated destructive outcomeאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; the fire personified as a devouring agent, echoing 4:24's 'YHWH your God is a consuming fire'.
הָאֵ֥שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Subject of תֹאכְלֵנוּאֵשׁ (H784), the recurring theophanic element, now the feared agent of destruction.
הַגְּדֹלָ֖הgreatart + adj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הָאֵשׁגָּדוֹל (H1419), intensifying the fire's terrifying scale, as with v. 22's קוֹל גָּדוֹל.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstr pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאֵשׁזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; heightens the immediacy and vividness of the fire's threat.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the condition whose consequence (death) is drawn in the final clause.
יֹסְפִ֣יםcontinuingQal ptc mp abs · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate participle (conditional clause, periphrastic with pronoun)→ Participle: durative — an ongoing, continued state of exposureיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue'; periphrastic with אֲנַחְנוּ, 'we continue (hearing)' — echoing v. 22's YHWH 'added no more,' now voiced as the people's own fear of continuing exposure.
אֲנַ֗חְנוּweindep pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of the periphrastic participial constructionאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; explicit subject with the participle יֹסְפִים.
לִ֠שְׁמֹעַto hearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Complement infinitive-construct clause (completing יֹסְפִים)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — specifies what continuing action is fearedשָׁמַע (H8085), as throughout — the very verb commanded in v. 1, now the thing the people wish to stop doing directly.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קוֹל יְהוָה as definite direct object of לִשְׁמֹעַ.
ק֨וֹלthe voice ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object, construct headקוֹל (H6963), the recurring term for the theophanic voice.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹליְהוָה (H3068), source of the feared voice.
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּour GodN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, the recurring collective apposition.
ע֖וֹדany longeradverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier of the conditional clause (continuation)עוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, longer'; reinforces יֹסְפִים's sense of continuation — further, ongoing exposure.
וָמָֽתְנוּwe will dieconj + Qal weqatal 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis of the conditional)→ Weqatal: consequential — the certain, feared consequence of continued exposureמוּת (H4191), repeating v. 25a's verb — the apodosis, closing the argument with the same fear that opened it (inclusio).
26

כִּ֣י מִ֣י כָל בָּשָׂ֡ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֣ע קוֹל֩ אֱלֹהִ֨ים חַיִּ֜ים מְדַבֵּ֧ר מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵ֛שׁ כָּמֹ֖נוּ וַיֶּֽחִי

For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?

Generalizes Israel's unprecedented experience to argue that no further direct exposure should be riskedכִּי
The rhetorical question universalizes vv. 24-25's personal testimony: no human flesh has ever survived hearing the living God speak directly — Israel's own survival so far is framed as a singular, unrepeatable exception the people are unwilling to test further.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the rhetorical-question rationaleכִּי (H3588), introducing a rhetorical question that generalizes the fear of v. 25 to all humanity.
מִ֣יwhointerrog pron · מִי (H4310)Subject of the rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who'; opens a rhetorical question expecting the answer 'no one' — no precedent exists for what Israel has just experienced.
כָלany ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing בָּשָׂרכֹּל (H3605); totalizing — no human being whatsoever.
בָּשָׂ֡רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive complement of כָלבָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; mortal, embodied humanity generally, emphasizing human frailty before the divine voice.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the unprecedented experience.
שָׁמַ֣עhas heardQal perf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, hypothetical/generic (has any human ever...)שָׁמַע (H8085), as throughout — the recurring verb now generalized to a universal (negative) claim.
קוֹל֩the voice ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object, construct headקוֹל (H6963), construct with אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים.
אֱלֹהִ֨יםGodN m pl abs (construed sg) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of קוֹל, head of the following adjectiveאֱלֹהִים (H430); paired with חַיִּים as an epithet, 'the living God'.
חַיִּ֜יםlivingadj m pl abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםחַי (H2416) 'living'; 'the living God' contrasts with lifeless idols (cf. v. 8) — the vitality of YHWH is precisely what makes hearing him so perilous.
מְדַבֵּ֧רspeakingPiel ptc ms abs · דָּבַר (H1696)Attributive participle describing the voice heard→ Participle: durative — the ongoing act of speaking as experiencedדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the participle vividly depicts the voice as an act witnessed in progress.
מִתּוֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432), as throughout the chapter.
הָאֵ֛שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive complement of מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784), the recurring theophanic medium.
כָּמֹ֖נוּas we (have)prep כְּמוֹ + 1cp sfx · כְּמוֹ (H3644)Comparative prepositional phraseכְּמוֹ (H3644) 'like, as'; Israel's own experience as the unprecedented benchmark — no one else has ever done what WE have just done.
וַיֶּֽחִיand livedconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, resultative, completing the rhetorical question)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the surprising, hoped-for outcomeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; closes the rhetorical question with the astonishing survival marveled at in v. 24, now generalized as unprecedented in human experience.
27

קְרַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ וּֽשֲׁמָ֔ע אֵ֛ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאַ֣תְּ תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְדַבֵּ֜ר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ וְעָשִֽׂינוּ

You go near, and hear all that YHWH our God will say, and you speak to us all that YHWH our God speaks to you, and we will hear and do it.

The people's formal commissioning of Moses as sole mediator, with an advance pledge of obedienceasyndeton
The chiastic structure (Moses hears from YHWH, Moses speaks to the people, the people hear and do) formally institutes the prophetic mediation pattern that structures the rest of Deuteronomy and the Torah; וְשָׁמַעְנוּ וְעָשִׂינוּ echoes the covenant-ratification formula of Exodus 24:7.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
קְרַ֤בgo nearQal impv 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (imperative, commissioning Moses)→ Volitional: imperative — instructing Moses alone to approachקָרַב (H7126) 'to approach, draw near'; the same verb the leaders used of themselves in v. 23, now applied uniquely to Moses as their delegated representative.
אַתָּה֙youindep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject, singling out Mosesאַתָּה (H859) 'you' (singular); emphatically isolates Moses from the rest of the assembly — he alone is to approach.
וּֽשֲׁמָ֔עand hearconj + Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinated with קְרַב)→ Volitional: imperative — the second charge given to Mosesשָׁמַע (H8085), as throughout — Moses is now charged to do what the people cannot: hear YHWH directly.
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל אֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר as definite direct object of וּשֲׁמָע.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the scope of what Moses is to hear and relay — everything, not a selection.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the content clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces what YHWH will say.
יֹאמַ֖רwill sayQal impf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future — anticipates YHWH's ongoing future speech to Mosesאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the future revelation Moses alone will now receive directly.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of יֹאמַר.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix; the people still claim YHWH as 'our' God even while delegating direct access to Moses.
וְאַ֣תְּand youconj + indep pron 2ms (archaic form אַתְּ) · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject, resuming Moses as addresseeאַתְּ (H859), an archaic 2ms form (orthographically resembling 2fs) referring to Moses; emphatic resumption after the intervening relative clause.
תְּדַבֵּ֣רyou shall speakPiel impf 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, commissioning Moses as relay)→ Yiqtol: obligatory/future — Moses' ongoing charge to transmit YHWH's wordדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; Moses' mediating role now made explicit and future-oriented — he will relay what YHWH tells him.
אֵלֵ֗ינוּto usprep אֶל + 1cp sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of תְּדַבֵּראֶל (H413) with 1cp suffix; the people as recipients of Moses' relayed message.
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the second כָּל אֲשֶׁר clause as direct object of תְּדַבֵּר.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605), repeated — totalizing again the scope of transmission.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the content clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces what YHWH speaks to Moses.
יְדַבֵּ֜רspeaksPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/durative — the ongoing pattern of revelation to Mosesדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak', repeated — establishing the ongoing pattern of divine speech TO Moses that will characterize the rest of Deuteronomy and the Torah.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of יְדַבֵּר.
אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּour GodN m pl constr/1cp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix, repeated.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of יְדַבֵּראֶל (H413) with 2ms suffix; Moses as recipient of the direct divine speech, in contrast to אֵלֵינוּ ('to us') above.
וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּand we will hearconj + Qal weqatal 1cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (weqatal, the people's pledge)→ Weqatal: promissory/volitional — the people's binding commitmentשָׁמַע (H8085), as throughout; the people's advance pledge of obedience to whatever Moses relays.
וְעָשִֽׂינוּand we will doconj + Qal weqatal 1cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, the people's pledge, second verb)→ Weqatal: promissory/volitional — the people's binding commitmentעָשָׂה (H6213), completing the שָׁמַע/עָשָׂה pair (cf. v. 1) — the people's advance promise to hear AND do whatever comes through Moses, echoing Exod 24:7.
28

וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע יְהוָה֙ אֶת ק֣וֹל דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔ם בְּדַבֶּרְכֶ֖ם אֵלָ֑י וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י שָׁ֠מַעְתִּי אֶת ק֨וֹל דִּבְרֵ֜י הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבְּר֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ הֵיטִ֖יבוּ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ

And YHWH heard the sound of your words when you spoke to me, and YHWH said to me: I have heard the sound of the words of this people, which they have spoken to you; they have done well in all that they have spoken.

YHWH's direct response to Moses, approving the people's request for mediationasyndeton
הֵיטִיבוּ ('they have done well') is YHWH's own verdict on the request just voiced — the people's fear was not unbelief but appropriate recognition of the danger, setting up v. 29's poignant wish that this posture of reverence would last.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤עand he heardconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085), as throughout — now YHWH himself hears, reversing the direction of the שָׁמַע verb used so often of Israel.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of וַיִּשְׁמַע.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קוֹל דִּבְרֵיכֶם as definite direct object.
ק֣וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object, construct headקוֹל (H6963), here 'sound' of speech rather than the theophanic voice — a shift in referent from earlier in the chapter.
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔םyour wordsN m pl constr/2mp sfx · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of קוֹלדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; the leaders' own spoken petition of vv. 24-27, now heard by YHWH.
בְּדַבֶּרְכֶ֖םwhen you spokeprep בְּ + Piel inf constr/2mp sfx · דָּבַר (H1696)Temporal infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — marks the circumstance of YHWH's hearingדָּבַר (H1696) Piel; the temporal clause specifying when YHWH heard — precisely as the people spoke to Moses.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep אֶל + 1cs sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of בְּדַבֶּרְכֶםאֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; Moses as the one addressed by the people's petition.
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559), introducing YHWH's direct response to Moses.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of וַיֹּאמֶר.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) with 1cs suffix; Moses now receives YHWH's direct word, as commissioned in v. 27.
שָׁ֠מַעְתִּיI have heardQal perf 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, YHWH's direct speech)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine attentionשָׁמַע (H8085), now spoken in YHWH's own first-person voice — confirming and validating the people's petition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קוֹל דִּבְרֵי הָעָם as definite direct object.
ק֨וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Direct object, construct headקוֹל (H6963), repeated in YHWH's own speech.
דִּבְרֵ֜יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of קוֹל, construct headדָּבָר (H1697), construct with הָעָם.
הָעָ֤םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of דִּבְרֵיעַם (H5971) 'people'; referring to the whole nation whose representative leaders spoke.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָםזֶה (H2088), specifying THIS people, present before YHWH.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of what the people said.
דִּבְּר֣וּthey have spokenPiel perf 3cp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel; the people's petition, now formally acknowledged by YHWH.
אֵלֶ֔יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of דִּבְּרוּאֶל (H413) with 2ms suffix; Moses as the one to whom the people spoke.
הֵיטִ֖יבוּthey have done wellHiphil perf 3cp · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb (main clause, YHWH's evaluation)→ Perfective: a completed, evaluative act — YHWH's approval of the requestיָטַב (H3190) Hiphil 'to do well, do rightly'; YHWH's explicit approval — the people's fear-driven request for mediation was the correct response, not a failure of faith.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing the relative clauseכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the scope of YHWH's approval — everything they said was right.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the content clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces what the people said that was approved.
דִּבֵּֽרוּthey have spokenPiel perf 3cp · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause, closing the verse)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel, repeated a third time in this verse — underscoring how thoroughly YHWH has heard and evaluated the people's words.
29

מִֽי יִתֵּ֡ן וְהָיָה֩ לְבָבָ֨ם זֶ֜ה לָהֶ֗ם לְיִרְאָ֥ה אֹתִ֛י וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתַ֖י כָּל הַיָּמִ֑ים לְמַ֨עַן יִיטַ֥ב לָהֶ֛ם וְלִבְנֵיהֶ֖ם לְעֹלָֽם

Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their children forever!

YHWH's poignant wish that Israel's present reverence would become permanentasyndeton
מִי יִתֵּן ('who will give' = 'would that, oh that') is the standard Hebrew optative idiom, functionally equivalent to לוּ elsewhere; remarkably it is voiced by YHWH HIMSELF about his own people's hearts, expressing something like divine longing that the reverence just displayed (vv. 24-27) would not be a passing fright but their permanent disposition — a wish the rest of Deuteronomy's exhortations, and Israel's subsequent history, will show was not automatically granted.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
מִֽיwhointerrog pron · מִי (H4310)Part of the idiomatic optative expression מִי יִתֵּןמִי (H4310) 'who'; combined with יִתֵּן forms the fixed Hebrew optative idiom 'would that, oh that' (literally 'who will give'), functionally equivalent to the particle לוּ used elsewhere for wishes.
יִתֵּ֡ןwould giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb completing the optative idiom מִי יִתֵּן→ Yiqtol: optative/desiderative — expresses a wish, here poignantly voiced by YHWH himselfנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; with מִי forms 'oh that' — YHWH here voices a wistful, almost plaintive wish about his own people's disposition.
וְהָיָה֩and it would beconj + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb continuing the wish→ Weqatal: continuing the optative forceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; continues the wish begun by מִי יִתֵּן.
לְבָבָ֨םtheir heartN m sg constr/3mp sfx · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of וְהָיָהלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind, inner self'; the seat of will and disposition — what YHWH wishes were permanently oriented toward fear and obedience.
זֶ֜הsuch (as this)demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Predicate demonstrative describing לְבָבָםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; describes the heart just displayed in the people's fearful, reverent request (vv. 24-27) as the ideal, ongoing disposition.
לָהֶ֗םfor themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְDative complement (possessor) of the heartלְ, dative marking possession — 'a heart such as this FOR them', belonging to them permanently.
לְיִרְאָ֥הto fearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרֵא (H3372)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the content of the wished-for heart's dispositionיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the same verb as v. 5's report of the people's fear, now recast as the ideal, ongoing posture rather than a momentary reaction.
אֹתִ֛יmeobj marker + 1cs sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לְיִרְאָהאֵת (H853) with 1cs suffix, referring to YHWH — the proper, healthy fear of God as the desired disposition.
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥רand to keepconj + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Coordinated purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the practical expression of fearing YHWHשָׁמַר (H8104), the recurring verb of covenant obedience, now paired with יָרֵא — fear expressed concretely as keeping the commandments.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל מִצְוֺתַי as definite direct object of וְלִשְׁמֹר.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מִצְוֺתַיכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the scope of the commandments to be kept.
מִצְוֺתַ֖יmy commandmentsN f pl constr/1cs sfx · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּלמִצְוָה (H4687), here unambiguously 1cs, unlike the Kethiv-Qere crux of v. 10 — YHWH's own commandments, comprehensively kept.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַיָּמִים (adverbial accusative of time)כֹּל (H3605); totalizing across time now, rather than commandments.
הַיָּמִ֑יםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of כָּל; together an adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117), plural, 'all the days' = always, perpetually — the wished-for permanence of the reverent heart.
לְמַ֨עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause markerלְמַעַן (H4616) 'so that'; introduces the intended benefit of sustained fear and obedience.
יִיטַ֥בit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb within the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the intended outcomeיָטַב (H3190), as in v. 16 — well-being tied here to the same reverent posture praised in v. 28's הֵיטִיבוּ.
לָהֶ֛םfor themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְDative complement of יִיטַבלְ, dative marking the beneficiaries — the present generation.
וְלִבְנֵיהֶ֖םand for their childrenconj + prep לְ + N m pl constr/3mp sfx · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinated dative complement of יִיטַבבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; extends the wished-for blessing across generations, anticipating the intergenerational transmission central to Deuteronomy (cf. 6:2, 7).
לְעֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial prepositional phrase (duration)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever, perpetuity'; the ultimate horizon of the wished-for blessing, closing the verse's temporal expansion (always, their children, forever).
30

לֵ֖ךְ אֱמֹ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם שׁ֥וּבוּ לָכֶ֖ם לְאָהֳלֵיכֶֽם

Go, say to them: Return to your tents.

YHWH's dismissal of the people, sending them back from the mountain now that their request is grantedasyndeton
The two paired imperatives (go, say) mirror the commissioning pattern of vv. 27-28: Moses again functions as the relay, this time carrying YHWH's dismissal rather than a new command, closing the immediate scene at the mountain before Moses alone remains (v. 31).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
לֵ֖ךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (imperative, YHWH's charge to Moses)→ Volitional: imperativeהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; YHWH's instruction sending Moses back to the people with their request now settled.
אֱמֹ֣רsayQal impv 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinated with לֵךְ)→ Volitional: imperativeאָמַר (H559), the second imperative — Moses is to relay YHWH's message to the people.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְIndirect object of אֱמֹרלְ; the people as recipients of Moses' relayed message.
שׁ֥וּבוּreturnQal impv 2mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (imperative, the content of Moses' message)→ Volitional: imperativeשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; the people are dismissed from the mountain's presence, their request having been granted.
לָכֶ֖םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp sfx · לְEthical dative (reflexive emphasis)לְ, an 'ethical dative' reinforcing the reflexive sense — go back to YOUR OWN tents, i.e. home.
לְאָהֳלֵיכֶֽםto your tentsprep לְ + N m pl constr/2mp sfx · אֹהֶל (H168)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the ordinary dwelling of the wilderness camp, the people's return to normal domestic life after the extraordinary theophany.
31

וְאַתָּ֗ה פֹּה֮ עֲמֹ֣ד עִמָּדִי֒ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אֵלֶ֗יךָ אֵ֧ת כָּל הַמִּצְוָ֛ה וְהַחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּלַמְּדֵ֑ם וְעָשׂ֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ

But you, stand here by me, and I will speak to you all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.

Moses installed as sole covenant mediator, commissioned to receive and teach the whole lawוְ
פֹּה עֲמֹד עִמָּדִי ('stand here by me') formally installs Moses in the mediatorial role only implied in v. 5, now explicitly commanded; the triad מִצְוָה/חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים anticipates the legal corpus of Deuteronomy 6-26, and the teach-do sequence (תְּלַמְּדֵם...וְעָשׂוּ) completes the שָׁמַע/לָמַד/שָׁמַר/עָשָׂה chain begun in v. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְאַתָּ֗הbut youconj + indep pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic contrastive subject, singling out Mosesאַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatically contrasted with the dismissed people of v. 30 — Moses alone is retained.
פֹּה֮hereadverb · פֹּה (H6311)Adverbial modifier of עֲמֹד (place)פֹּה (H6311), the same term as v. 3's 'here' — Moses remains in the very place the covenant's living generation stood, now alone with YHWH.
עֲמֹ֣דstandQal impv 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (imperative, YHWH's command to Moses)→ Volitional: imperativeעָמַד (H5975), the same verb as v. 5's עֹמֵד (Moses 'standing' between) — now an explicit divine command formalizing his continuing mediatorial position.
עִמָּדִי֒with meprep עִמָּד + 1cs sfx · עִמָּד (H5978)Prepositional phrase (companion)עִמָּד (H5978) 'with' (a variant of עִם); marks Moses' unique proximity to YHWH, in contrast to the departed people.
וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣הand I will speakconj + Piel cohortative 1cs · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (cohortative, YHWH's stated intention)→ Cohortative: volitional/self-directed — YHWH's own resolve to reveal further law to Mosesדָּבַר (H1696) Piel, cohortative form; YHWH's deliberate intention to continue revealing law, now through Moses exclusively rather than direct address to the people.
אֵלֶ֗יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms sfx · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַאֲדַבְּרָהאֶל (H413) with 2ms suffix; Moses as sole recipient of the continuing revelation.
אֵ֧ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the following triad (commandment, statutes, ordinances) as definite direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הַמִּצְוָהכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the scope of the coming legal instruction.
הַמִּצְוָ֛הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּל (first of triad)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment' (singular, collective); the first of three terms for the body of law about to be given, likely encompassing the whole (cf. 6:1).
וְהַחֻקִּ֥יםand the statutesconj + art + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Coordinated direct object (second of triad)חֹק (H2706), as in v. 1 — the second term of the triad, apodictic statutes.
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖יםand the ordinancesconj + art + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinated direct object (third of triad)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941), as in v. 1 — the third term, case-law ordinances, completing the triad that will structure the rest of Deuteronomy.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the purpose clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces Moses' commissioned task regarding this law.
תְּלַמְּדֵ֑םyou shall teach themPiel impf 2ms/3mp sfx · לָמַד (H3925)Predicate verb (relative clause, Moses' commissioned task)→ Yiqtol: obligatory/future — Moses' ongoing teaching roleלָמַד (H3925) Piel 'to teach'; Moses' role now expanded from mere relay (v. 27) to TEACHER — the same root as v. 1's לְמַדְתֶּם 'you shall learn', now causative.
וְעָשׂ֣וּthat they may doconj + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, purpose/result of the teaching)→ Weqatal: purposive/consequential — the intended outcome of Moses' teachingעָשָׂה (H6213), completing the שָׁמַע/לָמַד/עָשָׂה chain from v. 1 — the ultimate goal of teaching is that the people DO the law.
בָאָ֔רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); the setting where the law is to be enacted — Israel's coming inheritance.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the land as YHWH's gift.
אָנֹכִ֛יIindep pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumed by the participle)אָנֹכִי (H595); YHWH's emphatic first-person subject, as with Moses' own use of this pronoun in v. 5.
נֹתֵ֥ןam givingQal ptc ms abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (present/progressive, relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the land-gift as an ongoing, present realityנָתַן (H5414), as in v. 16 — the participle framing the gift as continually in effect.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp sfx · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ, dative; the people as recipients of the land-gift.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr/3fs sfx · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal of the land-giftיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; the anticipated conquest and settlement, the horizon toward which the whole book of Deuteronomy is oriented.
32

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֣ם לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם אֶתְכֶ֑ם לֹ֥א תָסֻ֖רוּ יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאל

You shall observe to do as YHWH your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Closing exhortation to the whole people: obey exactly as commanded, without deviationasyndeton
The chapter returns to plural address (the whole people), summarizing the entire chapter's demand in the merism 'right or left' — total, undeviating fidelity to the commanded way, a formula repeated in v. 33 and throughout Deuteronomy.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֣םand you shall keepconj + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (weqatal, closing exhortation)→ Weqatal: obligatory/consequential — the binding charge following from all precedingשָׁמַר (H8104), opening the chapter's closing exhortation to the whole assembly (note the return to 2mp after vv. 30-31's singular address to Moses).
לַעֲשׂ֔וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complement infinitive-construct clause (completing וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — specifying the content of the keeping: active doingעָשָׂה (H6213), paired with שָׁמַר as throughout — 'keep to do' expresses guarding the law precisely in order to enact it.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative/manner clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ; the recurring formula appealing to YHWH's own prior command (cf. vv. 12, 16).
צִוָּ֛הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb within the כַּאֲשֶׁר clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680), as throughout — YHWH's authoritative command as the standard of obedience.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוָּה.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr/2mp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix (plural, addressing the whole people, unlike the singular suffix of the Decalogue proper).
אֶתְכֶ֑םyouobj marker + 2mp sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; the whole assembly as recipient of the command.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verb (prohibition)לֹא (H3808), introducing the closing prohibition against deviation.
תָסֻ֖רוּyou shall turn asideQal impf 2mp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative — an enduring negative commandסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; the standard deuteronomic metaphor for covenant infidelity as leaving the prescribed path.
יָמִ֥יןrightN f sg abs · יָמִין (H3225)Adverbial accusative (direction)יָמִין (H3225) 'right (hand/side)'; paired with שְׂמֹאל in the merism 'right or left' for any deviation whatsoever.
וּשְׂמֹֽאלor leftconj + N m sg abs · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Coordinated adverbial accusative (direction)שְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left'; completes the merism, anticipating the identical phrase in v. 33 and throughout Deuteronomy (e.g., 17:11, 20) for unwavering fidelity.
33

בְּכָל הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם אֶתְכֶ֖ם תֵּלֵ֑כוּ לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיוּן֙ וְט֣וֹב לָכֶ֔ם וְהַאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם יָמִ֔ים בָּאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּֽירָשֽׁוּן

In all the way that YHWH your God has commanded you, you shall walk, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that you shall possess.

The chapter's closing charge: total fidelity to the commanded way, promising life, well-being, and length of days in the landasyndeton
The chapter closes as it began, oriented toward life in the land: the walking-metaphor (תֵּלֵכוּ) and the triple promise (life, well-being, length of days) answer directly to the people's dread of death in vv. 25-26 — the way that seemed to threaten death instead leads to life, echoing the great choice of 30:15-20.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative/manner prepositional phrase, construct governing הַדֶּרֶךְכֹּל (H3605); totalizing the scope of the 'way' — every aspect of the commanded path, not a partial selection.
הַדֶּ֗רֶךְthe wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Genitive complement of כָלדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, path'; the recurring deuteronomic metaphor for covenant conduct as a path to be walked, closing the chapter with the same 'walking' image found throughout the book.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the way as YHWH's own command.
צִוָּ֜הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of commandingצִוָּה (H6680), recurring throughout this closing section (vv. 12, 16, 32-33), each time grounding obedience in YHWH's own prior word.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of צִוָּה.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛םyour GodN m pl constr/2mp sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, the final occurrence of this recurring apposition in the chapter.
אֶתְכֶ֖םyouobj marker + 2mp sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; the whole people as recipients of the command.
תֵּלֵ֑כוּyou shall walkQal impf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, the chapter's closing charge)→ Yiqtol: obligatory/durative — the chapter's final, comprehensive chargeהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; the summarizing metaphor for the whole life of covenant obedience just detailed — walking the commanded way, not merely knowing it.
לְמַ֤עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause marker (first of a chain)לְמַעַן (H4616); introduces the first of a cluster of intended benefits closing the chapter — life, well-being, and length of days.
תִּֽחְיוּן֙you may liveQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb within the purpose clause→ Yiqtol: purposive — the primary promised outcomeחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; the first and most basic promise — life itself, contrasting with the fear of death voiced by the people in vv. 25-26.
וְט֣וֹבand it may be wellconj + Qal weqatal 3ms (stative) · טוֹב (H2895)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing the purpose clause)→ Weqatal: purposive/stative — a continuing state of well-beingטוֹב (H2895) 'to be good'; here stative, 'it will be well' — general flourishing beyond mere survival.
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + 2mp sfx · לְDative complement of וְטוֹבלְ, dative marking the beneficiaries of the promised well-being.
וְהַאֲרַכְתֶּ֣םand you may prolongconj + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing the purpose clause)→ Weqatal: purposive/consequential — the third promised benefitאָרַךְ (H748) Hiphil 'to lengthen, prolong'; as in v. 16's promise to those honoring parents, now applied to the whole nation's fidelity.
יָמִ֔יםyour daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of וְהַאֲרַכְתֶּםיוֹם (H3117) 'day', plural; the object of the lengthening — long life in the land.
בָּאָ֖רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776); the promised land, the setting for all three benefits (life, well-being, length of days).
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the land as the object of coming possession.
תִּֽירָשֽׁוּןyou shall possessQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (relative clause, closing the chapter)→ Yiqtol: purposive/future — the anticipated inheritance closing the chapter's temporal horizonיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit'; the chapter's final word looks forward to the conquest and settlement Deuteronomy anticipates, ending on the note of promised inheritance.