Deuteronomy 5:31 Meaning and Explanation
“But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses is called to remain and receive from God all the commandments, statutes, and judgments to teach Israel.
The Context of Deuteronomy 5:31
God commissions Moses to receive all the law to teach to Israel.
What Does Deuteronomy 5:31 Mean?
While Israel returns to camp, Moses stays in God's presence to receive the complete body of law and instruction. God commits to speak all the commandments, statutes (regulations), and judgments (case laws) to Moses, who will then transmit them to Israel. This comprehensive revelation goes beyond the Ten Commandments to include the legal framework for covenant living in Canaan. Moses is explicitly commissioned as teacher—the one through whom generations will learn God's law.
The promise I will speak unto thee shows God's direct partnership with Moses. Moses stands as mediator and prophet, the receiver and translator of God's revelation. The law is given not as abstract principle but as practical instruction for living in the land God promises—Israel's inheritance depends on learning and keeping what God will teach through Moses.
Deuteronomy 5:31 in the Original Language
chukkah (חֻקָּה), 'statutes' — fixed regulations or decrees, often referring to laws without obvious rational basis but demanding obedience based on God's authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 5:31
What does Deuteronomy 5:31 mean?
Moses is called to remain and receive from God all the commandments, statutes, and judgments to teach Israel.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 5:31?
God commissions Moses to receive all the law to teach to Israel.