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Deuteronomy 5:21 - Divine voice from fire

Deuteronomy 5:21 - דברים 5:21

Hebrew Text

וַתֹּאמְרוּ הֵן הֶרְאָנוּ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶת־כְּבֹדוֹ וְאֶת־גָּדְלוֹ וְאֶת־קֹלוֹ שָׁמַעְנוּ מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה רָאִינוּ כִּי־יְדַבֵּר אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאָדָם וָחָי׃

English Translation

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

Transliteration

Vatomeru hen her'anu Adonai Eloheinu et-kevodo ve'et-gadlo ve'et-kolo shamanu mitoch ha'esh hayom hazeh ra'inu ki-yedaber Elohim et-ha'adam vachai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ הֵ֣ן הֶרְאָ֜נוּ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ אֶת־כְּבֹד֣וֹ וְאֶת־גׇּדְל֔וֹ וְאֶת־קֹל֥וֹ שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ רָאִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבֵּ֧ר אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם וָחָֽי׃
וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ הֵ֣ן הֶרְאָ֜נוּ יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ אֶת־כְּבֹד֣וֹ וְאֶת־גׇּדְל֔וֹ וְאֶת־קֹל֥וֹ שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ רָאִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבֵּ֧ר אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם וָחָֽי׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Revelation at Sinai

The verse (Devarim 5:21) recounts the Israelites' reaction to the revelation at Har Sinai, where they witnessed Hashem's glory and heard His voice from the midst of the fire. Rashi explains that this event demonstrated Hashem's unique relationship with Klal Yisrael, as no other nation experienced such a direct divine revelation. The phrase "כי ידבר אלקים את האדם וחי" ("that God does talk with man, and he lives") emphasizes the miraculous nature of this encounter—ordinarily, mortal beings cannot withstand direct divine communication, yet Bnei Yisrael survived this experience.

The Nature of Divine Communication

Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 1:64) discusses how this revelation was a singular event in human history, where an entire nation collectively perceived divine communication. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 29:4) elaborates that Hashem's voice at Har Sinai had no echo, symbolizing its pure and unfiltered transmission to the Jewish people.

  • כבודו וגדלו ("His glory and His greatness") – The Sforno explains that "כבודו" refers to the visible manifestations of the Divine Presence (like the cloud and fire), while "גדלו" denotes the awe-inspiring power displayed through the thunder and lightning.
  • קולו שמענו ("we have heard His voice") – The Talmud (Makot 24a) teaches that this voice transmitted the Aseret HaDibrot in a manner that allowed each person to hear it according to their individual capacity.

The Miracle of Human Survival

The concluding phrase "וחי" ("and he lives") is interpreted by the Ohr HaChaim as a testament to Hashem's mercy—He attenuated His infinite presence so that mortal beings could endure the encounter. The Kli Yakar adds that this demonstrated the special bond between Hashem and Israel, as His speech sustains rather than overwhelms those who are spiritually prepared.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'God does talk with man, and he lives' mean in Deuteronomy 5:21?
A: This verse refers to the experience at Mount Sinai, where the Jewish people heard Hashem speak directly to them and yet remained alive. Normally, such closeness to the Divine Presence would be overwhelming, but Hashem made it possible for them to hear His voice and survive (Rashi on Deuteronomy 5:21). This shows Hashem's kindness in allowing communication while preserving human life.
Q: Why is the revelation at Mount Sinai so important in Judaism?
A: The revelation at Mount Sinai is the foundation of our faith because it was the only time in history when an entire nation collectively experienced Hashem's presence and heard His commandments directly (Rambam, Principles of Faith 8). This event established the truth of the Torah and our covenant with Hashem, making it central to Jewish belief.
Q: What can we learn from the Jewish people's reaction in Deuteronomy 5:21?
A: The verse teaches us the proper awe and gratitude we should have toward Hashem. The people recognized His greatness ('glory and greatness') and marveled at the miracle of hearing His voice while remaining alive. This inspires us to appreciate Hashem's miracles and maintain reverence for His commandments (Sifrei on Deuteronomy 5:21).
Q: How does the experience at Mount Sinai apply to us today?
A: Although we no longer experience open miracles like at Sinai, the Torah teaches that every Jew today stands spiritually at Sinai, as our souls were present there (Midrash Tanchuma, Nitzavim 3). We must strive to feel the same awe and commitment to Torah that our ancestors had when they heard Hashem's voice.
Q: What does it mean that Bnei Yisrael saw Hashem's 'glory and greatness'?
A: The 'glory' (כְּבוֹדוֹ) refers to the visible manifestations of Hashem's presence, like the cloud and fire, while 'greatness' (גָּדְלוֹ) refers to His overwhelming power and majesty displayed through the miracles (Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 5:21). These experiences helped the people understand Hashem's infinite nature within human limitations.