Deuteronomy 5:5
New International Version
(At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

New Living Translation
I stood as an intermediary between you and the LORD, for you were afraid of the fire and did not want to approach the mountain. He spoke to me, and I passed his words on to you. This is what he said:

English Standard Version
while I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD. For you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up into the mountain. He said:

Berean Standard Bible
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

King James Bible
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

New King James Version
I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:

New American Standard Bible
while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up on the mountain. He said,

NASB 1995
while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,

NASB 1977
while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,

Legacy Standard Bible
I was standing between Yahweh and you at that time, to declare to you the word of Yahweh; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,

Amplified Bible
I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain. He said,

Christian Standard Bible
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to report the word of the LORD to you, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain. And he said:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to report the word of the LORD to you, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain. And He said:

American Standard Version
(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

Contemporary English Version
but you were afraid of the fire and refused to go up the mountain. So I spoke with the LORD for you, then I told you that he had said:

English Revised Version
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I stood between the LORD and you to tell you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and didn't go up on the mountain. The LORD said:

Good News Translation
I stood between you and the LORD at that time to tell you what he said, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. "The LORD said,

International Standard Version
I stood at that time as mediator between the LORD and you to declare his message to you, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. He said:

Majority Standard Bible
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:

NET Bible
(I was standing between the LORD and you at that time to reveal to you the message of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain.) He said:

New Heart English Bible
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the words of the LORD: for you were afraid because of the fire, and did not go up onto the mountain;) saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up upon the mount;) saying,

World English Bible
(I stood between Yahweh and you at that time, to show you Yahweh’s word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain) saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I am standing between YHWH and you, at that time, to declare the word of YHWH to you, for you have been afraid from the presence of the fire, and you have not gone up into the mountain; for [He] says:

Young's Literal Translation
I am standing between Jehovah and you, at that time, to declare to you the word of Jehovah, for ye have been afraid from the presence of the fire, and ye have not gone up into the mount; saying:

Smith's Literal Translation
(I stood between Jehovah and between you in that time to announce to you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid on account of the fire and ye went not up into the mount,) saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I was the mediator and stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you his words, for you feared the fire, and went not up into the mountain, and he said:

Catholic Public Domain Version
I was the mediator, for I was in the middle between the Lord and you, at that time, to announce his words to you. For you were afraid of the fire, and so you did not ascend to the mountain. And he said:

New American Bible
while I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to announce to you these words of the LORD, since you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain:

New Revised Standard Version
(At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the words of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the words of the LORD your God; for you were afraid because of the fire, and did not go up into the mountain), saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I was standing between LORD JEHOVAH and you at that time to show you the words of LORD JEHOVAH your God when you were afraid before the fire and you did not go up the mountain, and he said:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to declare unto you the word of the LORD; for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount--saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I stood between the Lord and you at that time to report to you the words of the Lord, (because ye were afraid before the fire, and ye went not up to the mountain,) saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ten Commandments
5At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said: 6“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:18-21
When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. / “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.” ...

Hebrews 12:18-21
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Exodus 19:16-19
On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. ...

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.

Exodus 24:2
Moses alone shall approach the LORD, but the others must not come near. And the people may not go up with him.”

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Exodus 33:11
Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.

Numbers 12:8
I speak with him face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?”

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Exodus 32:30-32
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” / So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. / Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”

2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...

Exodus 34:29-35
And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. / But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. ...

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, / through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Exodus 19:9
The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said.


Treasury of Scripture

(I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the word of the LORD: for you were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

Deuteronomy 5:27
Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

Genesis 18:22
And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

Exodus 19:16
And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

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Deuteronomy 5
1. The covenant in Horeb
6. The ten commandments
23. At the people's request Moses receives the law from God














At that time
This phrase sets the historical context, referring to a specific moment in Israel's journey. It recalls the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, a pivotal event in the history of Israel. The Hebrew word for "time" (עֵת, 'et) often signifies a divinely appointed moment, emphasizing God's sovereign timing in revealing His commandments to His people.

I stood between the LORD and you
Moses is speaking here, highlighting his role as a mediator. The Hebrew root for "stood" (עָמַד, 'amad) implies taking a firm position. Moses' role as an intermediary foreshadows the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ, who stands between God and humanity. This reflects the necessity of a mediator in the relationship between a holy God and sinful people.

to declare to you the word of the LORD
The phrase underscores the importance of divine revelation. The Hebrew word for "declare" (הִגִּיד, higgid) means to make known or announce. Moses was entrusted with communicating God's commandments, which were not merely human words but the very "word of the LORD." This highlights the authority and sacredness of Scripture, which is God-breathed and profitable for teaching and instruction.

because you were afraid of the fire
The Israelites' fear is a recurring theme in the narrative of Sinai. The Hebrew word for "afraid" (יָרֵא, yare) conveys a deep reverence and awe, as well as fear. The "fire" represents God's holy presence, which is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. This fear underscores the holiness of God and the seriousness with which His presence should be approached.

and did not go up the mountain
This phrase indicates the people's reluctance to approach God directly due to their fear. The mountain, Sinai, is a place of divine encounter, yet it is also a place of danger for the unholy. The Israelites' decision not to ascend reflects their recognition of their own sinfulness and the need for a mediator. This serves as a reminder of the separation between God and humanity due to sin, and the necessity of Christ's atoning work to bridge that gap.

(5) In this verse a colon seems too large a stop after "the word of the Lord." Perhaps it should rather be read thus: "I stood between Jehovah and you at that time (for ye were afraid by reason of the fire), and ye went not up into the mount." The cause of their not going up into the mount was not their fear, but the express prohibition of Jehovah, as may be seen by Exodus 19



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At that
הַהִ֔וא (ha·hi·w)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

time
בָּעֵ֣ת (bā·‘êṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

I
אָ֠נֹכִי (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

was standing
עֹמֵ֨ד (‘ō·mêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

between
בֵּין־ (bên-)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and you
וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ (ū·ḇê·nê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

to declare
לְהַגִּ֥יד (lə·hag·gîḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

to you
לָכֶ֖ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

the word
דְּבַ֣ר (də·ḇar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you were afraid
יְרֵאתֶם֙ (yə·rê·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

of
מִפְּנֵ֣י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the fire
הָאֵ֔שׁ (hā·’êš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and would not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go up
עֲלִיתֶ֥ם (‘ă·lî·ṯem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

the mountain.
בָּהָ֖ר (bā·hār)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

And He said:
לֵאמֹֽר׃ (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:5 I stood between Yahweh and you at (Deut. De Du)
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