Deuteronomy 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God reminds Israel of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery.
The Context of Deuteronomy 5:6
God's opening words to Israel state His identity and what He has done for them.
What Does Deuteronomy 5:6 Mean?
Before stating the commandments, God grounds His authority in redemptive history: He is the God who rescued Israel from slavery. This liberation was not payment for Israel's merit but grace—God chose to free them, establishing His right to call them to covenant obedience. The rescue from Egypt became the fundamental proof of God's power and commitment to His people.
The memory of slavery and freedom shaped Israel's ethical life: they were to remember what bondage felt like and show mercy to slaves and the vulnerable. The law flows from God's prior saving act, not the reverse.
Deuteronomy 5:6 in the Original Language
bondage (עַבְדוּת), slavery — the condition of oppression in Egypt that God ransomed Israel from, making them His own people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 5:6
What does Deuteronomy 5:6 mean?
God reminds Israel of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 5:6?
God's opening words to Israel state His identity and what He has done for them.