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Deuteronomy 5:3

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 5:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Deuteronomy 5:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them.
2Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
3Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
4Jehovah spake with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
5(I stood between Jehovah and you at that time, to show you the word of Jehovah: for ye were afraid because of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
6I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
← Deuteronomy 5:2Deuteronomy 5:4 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, etc.] That is, not with them only, as Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Abendana remark; for certain it is that this covenant was made, or law was given, to the immediate fathers of this present generation of Israelites, whose carcasses had fallen in the wilderness; unless this is to be understood of their more remote ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom the covenant of grace was made, or afresh made manifest, especially with the former; when the law, the covenant here spoken of, was not delivered until four hundred and thirty years after, (<480316>Galatians 3:16,17), but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day; many of them…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us--The meaning is, "not with our fathers" only, "but with us" also, assuming it to be "a covenant" of grace. It may mean "not with our fathers" at all, if the reference is to the peculiar establishment of the covenant of Sinai; a law was not given to them as to us, nor was the covenant ratified in the same public manner and by the same solemn sanctions. Or, finally, the meaning may be "not with our fathers" who died in the wilderness, in consequence of their rebellion, and to whom God did not give the rewards promised only to the faithful; but "with us," who alone, strictly speaking, shall enjoy the benefits of this covenant by…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The “fathers” are, as in Deuteronomy 4:37, the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. With them God did indeed make a covenant, but not the particular covenant now in question. The responsibilites of this later covenant, made at Sinai by the nation as a nation, attached in their day and generation to those whom Moses was addressing. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not with our fathers - Only: but with us, who are all alive - He saith not, that all who made the covenant at Sinai are now alive, but this covenant was made with all that are now alive; which is most true, for it was made with the elders in their persons, and with the rest in their parents, who covenanted for them. Deuteronomy 5:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 29:10-15; Gen 17:7, Gen 17:21; Psa 105:8-10; Jer 32:38-40; Mat 13:17; Gal 3:17-21; Heb 8:8, Heb 8:9 Deuteronomy 5:4”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification