Time after Pentecost · Proper 4 · Year B
Deuteronomy 5:12-15
The Ten Commandments
May 30, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.” (Deuteronomy 5:12)
The Decalogue · Here opens Moses’ second discourse (chs. 5–26), the central section of the whole book. It is subdivided into two main parts. Chapters 5–11 are a broad exhortation to covenant loyalty and obedience, following up and amplifying the theocratic and covenantal challenge set forth in chapter 4. Chapters 12–26, with their subheading in 12:1, are more detailed legislation, much of which renews, expands, and sometimes modifies laws already given in more basic form in the Book of the Covenant (Exod. 21–23). Chapters 5–11 are concerned with orientation, ethos, commitment, and loyalty and not initially with the specific legal details. Deuteronomy recognizes that law in itself is not enough for a wholesome society. There is a need for a fundamental, collective choice to do the will of God out of gratitude and covenant loyalty.
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Commentary
Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:12-15 Working Preacher
The Lutheran lectionary voice on the Sabbath command.
Deuteronomy 5 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse study of the Ten Commandments restated.
Deuteronomy 5:12 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered on the Sabbath command.
Deuteronomy 5 Commentary Precept Austin
Detailed study notes and cross references on the chapter.
Barnes' Notes: Deuteronomy 5 StudyLight
A historic verse by verse commentary on the passage.
Background & Word Study
Deuteronomy - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary overview of the book of Deuteronomy.
Book of Deuteronomy Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 5 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
The Hebrew text of the commandments with classic Jewish commentary.
Deuteronomy 5:12 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word by word of the Sabbath command.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why does Deuteronomy repeat the commandments?
Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the new generation before they enter the land, grounding the Sabbath in the memory that they were slaves in Egypt whom God redeemed.
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