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Deuteronomy 4:12 - Divine voice, no image seen

Deuteronomy 4:12 - דברים 4:12

Hebrew Text

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֲלֵיכֶם מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ קוֹל דְּבָרִים אַתֶּם שֹׁמְעִים וּתְמוּנָה אֵינְכֶם רֹאִים זוּלָתִי קוֹל׃

English Translation

And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire: you heard the voice of the words, but saw no form; only a voice.

Transliteration

Vayedaber Adonai aleichem mitoch ha'esh kol devarim atem shom'im utmunah einchem ro'im zulati kol.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ ק֤וֹל דְּבָרִים֙ אַתֶּ֣ם שֹׁמְעִ֔ים וּתְמוּנָ֛ה אֵינְכֶ֥ם רֹאִ֖ים זוּלָתִ֥י קֽוֹל׃
וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ ק֤וֹל דְּבָרִים֙ אַתֶּ֣ם שֹׁמְעִ֔ים וּתְמוּנָ֛ה אֵינְכֶ֥ם רֹאִ֖ים זוּלָתִ֥י קֽוֹל׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Nature of Divine Revelation at Sinai

The verse (Devarim 4:12) describes the unique revelation at Har Sinai, where Hashem spoke to Bnei Yisrael from within the fire. Rashi explains that this emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event—while fire typically consumes anything that enters it, at Har Sinai, the fire served as a medium for divine communication without harming the people.

The Absence of Visual Form

The Torah stresses that Bnei Yisrael heard the divine voice but saw no physical form. Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:7-8) derives from this verse a fundamental principle of Jewish belief: Hashem has no corporeal form, and any anthropomorphic descriptions in Tanach must be understood metaphorically. The Sforno adds that this auditory-only revelation prevented any possibility of idolatrous misconceptions.

The Singularity of the Divine Voice

The phrase "only a voice" (זולתי קול) is interpreted by the Talmud (Chagigah 13b) to mean that this was a unique, unmediated divine voice—unlike prophecy which comes through intermediaries. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 29:1) notes that this voice had no echo, demonstrating its supernatural origin.

  • Educational Purpose: Ibn Ezra suggests this description serves to teach future generations about the nature of ma'amad Har Sinai.
  • Spiritual Perception: The Netziv explains that the lack of visual form trained Bnei Yisrael to relate to Hashem through intellect and spirit rather than physical senses.
  • Contrast with Idolatry: Ramban notes this stands in stark contrast to pagan worship which relies on physical representations of deities.

The Fire as Symbol

The Ohr HaChaim highlights that the fire represents both the purifying aspect of Torah and the zealous commitment required to receive it. The presence of fire also recalls Avraham's covenant (Bereishit 15:17), showing continuity in Hashem's relationship with the Jewish people.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 6b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of divine communication and the uniqueness of the revelation at Sinai, emphasizing that God was heard but not seen.
📖 Megillah 21a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the modes of prophecy and how Moses' prophecy differed from that of other prophets, highlighting the auditory nature of the revelation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 4:12 mean when it says the Israelites heard G-d's voice but saw no form?
A: This verse teaches that at Mount Sinai, G-d revealed Himself to the Jewish people through sound alone, without any physical form. Rashi explains that this emphasizes G-d's incorporeal nature - He has no body or physical likeness. The Torah stresses this to prevent any mistaken ideas about representing G-d through images.
Q: Why is it important that the Israelites only heard G-d's voice at Sinai?
A: The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches in his 13 Principles of Faith that G-d has no physical form. This verse proves that divine revelation happened through pure spiritual means. The Talmud (Berachos 6b) notes that hearing G-d's voice without seeing a form instilled awe and reinforced that true service of G-d must be through spiritual connection, not physical representations.
Q: What can we learn today from Deuteronomy 4:12 about how we relate to G-d?
A: The Midrash (Sifrei) explains this teaches that our relationship with G-d is primarily through hearing and internalizing His words (the Torah), not through physical means. Today, we connect to G-d through studying Torah and performing mitzvos - spiritual actions rather than visual representations. This verse reminds us that authentic divine connection transcends physicality.
Q: How does Deuteronomy 4:12 relate to the prohibition against making images of G-d?
A: This verse is the biblical source for the Torah's strong prohibition against creating any physical representation of G-d (as stated in the following verses). The Mechilta explains that since the revelation at Sinai involved only hearing G-d's voice without seeing any form, it proves that G-d cannot be represented by any image. This became a fundamental principle of Jewish belief.
Q: Why did G-d choose to speak from fire at Mount Sinai?
A: Rashi notes that fire represents both G-d's purity and His ability to consume (judgment). The Midrash Tanchuma explains that fire was chosen because just as fire doesn't combine with other elements, G-d's truth is absolute and doesn't mix with falsehood. The invisible voice from flames demonstrated that G-d's presence is real yet beyond physical perception.