Deuteronomy 5:2
New International Version
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

New Living Translation
“The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Mount Sinai.

English Standard Version
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Berean Literal Bible
YHWH our God made with us a covenant in Horeb.

King James Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

New King James Version
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

NASB 1995
“The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

NASB 1977
“The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh our God cut a covenant with us at Horeb.

Amplified Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Berean Annotated Bible
The LORD our God {YHWH Elohenu} made a covenant with us at Horeb (Mount Sinai).

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

American Standard Version
Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD our God made an agreement with our nation at Mount Sinai.

English Revised Version
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD our God made a promise to us at Mount Horeb.

Good News Translation
At Mount Sinai the LORD our God made a covenant,

International Standard Version
When the LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb,

NET Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.

World English Bible
Yahweh our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Our God YHWH made a covenant with us in Horeb;

Berean Literal Bible
YHWH our God made with us a covenant in Horeb.

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah our God made with us a covenant in Horeb;

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah our God cut out with us a covenant in Horeb.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord our God formed a covenant with us at Horeb.

New American Bible
The LORD, our God, made a covenant with us at Horeb;

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH our God has covenanted with us a covenant in Khoreeb.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The Lord your God made a covenant with you in Choreb.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant in Horeb
1Then Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: Hear, O Israel, the statutes and ordinances that I declare in your hearing this day. Learn them and observe them carefully. 2The LORD our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3He did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today.…

Cross References
The LORD our God

Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.

Psalm 99:5
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy!

Deuteronomy 4:7
For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?
made a covenant

Exodus 24:8
So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—

Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.
with us

Deuteronomy 29:14-15
I am making this covenant and this oath not only with you, / but also with those who are standing here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God, as well as with those who are not here today.

Exodus 34:27
The LORD also said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

1 Kings 8:57
May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us or forsake us.
at Horeb.

Deuteronomy 4:10-13
The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.” / You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice. …

Exodus 19:1-6
In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. / After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. / Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: …

Exodus 24:16-18
and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. / Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
Exodus 19:5-6
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. / And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came and told the people all the words and ordinances of the LORD, they all responded with one voice: “All the words that the LORD has spoken, we will do.” / And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. / Then he sent out some young men of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. …

Deuteronomy 4:13
He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.

Deuteronomy 29:1
These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant He had made with them at Horeb.


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.

Deuteronomy 4:23
Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

Exodus 19:5-8
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: …

Exodus 24:8
And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

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












The LORD our God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between God and the Israelites. It highlights the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, as seen throughout the Old Testament. The use of "our" signifies a collective identity and shared faith among the Israelites. This is consistent with the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, which calls for the recognition of the LORD as the one true God.

made a covenant
A covenant in biblical terms is a solemn agreement between God and His people, often involving promises and obligations. This particular covenant at Horeb is a reaffirmation of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it includes the giving of the Law. Covenants are central to the biblical narrative, with the New Covenant in Christ being the fulfillment of these Old Testament covenants (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Luke 22:20).

with us
The phrase "with us" underscores the communal aspect of the covenant. It was not just with the leaders or a select few, but with the entire nation of Israel. This inclusivity is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God's promises and laws are meant for all His people. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that the Gospel is for all nations (Matthew 28:19).

at Horeb
Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. This location is significant as it is where God revealed Himself in a powerful way, giving the Law that would guide the Israelites. The events at Horeb are foundational for understanding Israel's identity and mission. Geographically, Horeb is located in the Sinai Peninsula, and its exact location is debated, but it is traditionally associated with the southern part of the peninsula. The giving of the Law at Horeb is a type of Christ, who fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-making God of Israel, who is central to the account of the Old Testament. He is the one who initiates and establishes the covenant with His people.

2. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are the recipients of the covenant at Horeb.

3. Horeb (Mount Sinai)
The mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and established His covenant with the Israelites. It is a significant location in the history of Israel's relationship with God.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who mediated the covenant between God and the people. He is the one who delivers God's laws and commandments to the Israelites.

5. The Covenant
A solemn agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes the Ten Commandments and other laws that define the relationship between God and His people.
Teaching Points
Understanding Covenant Relationship
The covenant at Horeb is a foundational aspect of Israel's identity and relationship with God. It emphasizes the importance of understanding our own covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

God's Faithfulness
The covenant at Horeb demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. As believers, we can trust in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His people.

Obedience to God's Commands
The giving of the Ten Commandments at Horeb underscores the importance of obedience to God's laws. As Christians, we are called to live according to God's Word, reflecting His character in our lives.

The Role of Mediators
Just as Moses served as a mediator of the covenant at Horeb, Jesus is our mediator of the new covenant. This highlights the necessity of a mediator in our relationship with God.

The Continuity of God's Plan
The covenant at Horeb is part of God's larger redemptive plan, which culminates in the new covenant through Christ. Understanding this continuity helps us appreciate the depth and breadth of God's salvation history.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:2?

2. How does Deuteronomy 5:2 emphasize God's covenant with the Israelites at Horeb?

3. What responsibilities do we have today as part of God's covenant people?

4. How does Deuteronomy 5:2 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:1-3?

5. In what ways can we honor God's covenant in our daily lives?

6. How does understanding God's covenant deepen our relationship with Him?

7. What is the significance of the covenant mentioned in Deuteronomy 5:2 for believers today?

8. How does Deuteronomy 5:2 relate to the overall theme of obedience in the Bible?

9. Why was the covenant in Deuteronomy 5:2 made specifically with the Israelites?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 5?

11. Deuteronomy 5:2–3 says the covenant was made with the present generation, yet other passages imply it was made with their ancestors; how do we reconcile this?

12. What are the key principles of the Palestinian Covenant?

13. How can one truly love God?

14. Is there a female deity called Mother God?
What Does Deuteronomy 5:2 Mean
The LORD

“The LORD” points to YHWH, the personal name by which God revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14–15; Deuteronomy 6:4).

• He is singular and sovereign—“See now that I am He; there is no god besides Me” (Deuteronomy 32:39).

• His character—holy, faithful, righteous—stands behind every command (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 6:3).

• Because the Ten Commandments flow from His nature, they remain eternally authoritative (Matthew 5:17-18).


our God

Adding “our” turns doctrine into relationship.

• Israel could say, “For what nation is so great as to have a god so near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7).

• The covenant bond makes Him “our God” and makes Israel “His treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5-6).

• In Christ this intimacy expands: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people” (1 Peter 2:9-10).


made a covenant

A covenant is a binding, oath-based agreement established by God.

• It is initiated by grace (Exodus 19:4 – “‘I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself’”).

• It contains stipulations—the Ten Words spoken in the next verses (Deuteronomy 5:6-21).

• It is sealed with blood (Exodus 24:7-8) and later fulfilled in the “better covenant” ratified by Christ’s blood (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15).

• Because God “made” it, its terms are non-negotiable and permanent (Psalm 105:8-10).


with us

Moses emphasizes immediacy and inclusion.

• “The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today” (Deuteronomy 5:3).

• Every generation is personally accountable; no one can outsource obedience.

• Blessings or curses hinge on each person’s response (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 24:15).


at Horeb

Horeb (Sinai) roots the covenant in real space and time.

• “In the third month…Israel entered the Wilderness of Sinai” (Exodus 19:1-2).

• Here God descended in fire and cloud, writing His words on stone (Exodus 19:18; 31:18).

• Later, Elijah met God at the same mountain (1 Kings 19:8-12), underscoring Horeb as a place of revelation and renewal.

• The physical setting reminds us that faith is grounded in history, not myth (2 Peter 1:16).


summary

Deuteronomy 5:2 teaches that the one true LORD personally bound Himself to His people through a covenant made at a real mountain, inviting every generation to live in obedient relationship with “our God.”

(2) The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.--It must never be forgotten that the Law is a covenant in its very form. (See Note on Deuteronomy 5:6.)

Verses 2, 3. - Not with our fathers, the patriarchs (cf. Deuteronomy 4:37.) The covenant to which Moses refers is not that made with Abraham, but that made at Sinai, with Israel as a people; and though the individuals who were then present had all perished with the exception of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, the nation survived, and as it was with the nation as an organic whole that the covenant had been made. it might be with propriety said that it was made with those whom Moses addressed at this time, inasmuch as they constituted the nation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

our God
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

made
כָּרַ֥ת (kā·raṯ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

a covenant
בְּרִ֖ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant

with
עִמָּ֛נוּ (‘im·mā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

us at Horeb.
בְּחֹרֵֽב׃ (bə·ḥō·rêḇ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2722: Horeb -- 'waste', a mountain in Sinai


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 5:2 Yahweh our God made a covenant (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 5:1
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