Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. New Living Translation And the LORD spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. English Standard Version Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. New King James Version And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice. New American Standard Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—there was only a voice. NASB 1995 “Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form— only a voice. NASB 1977 “Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—only a voice. Legacy Standard Bible Then Yahweh spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form—only a voice. Amplified Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of the words, but you saw no form—there was only a voice. Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the fire. You kept hearing the sound of the words, but didn’t see a form; there was only a voice. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the fire. You kept hearing the sound of the words, but didn’t see a form; there was only a voice. American Standard Version And Jehovah spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no form; only ye heard a voice. Contemporary English Version and the LORD spoke to you from the fire. You could hear him and understand what he was saying, but you couldn't see him. English Revised Version And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no form; only ye heard a voice. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD spoke to you from the fire. You heard a voice speaking but saw no one. There was only a voice. Good News Translation Tell them how the LORD spoke to you from the fire, how you heard him speaking but did not see him in any form at all. International Standard Version the LORD your God spoke from the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but you saw no form; there was only a voice. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the middle of the fire; you heard speech but you could not see anything--only a voice was heard. New Heart English Bible The LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire: you heard the voice of words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. World English Bible Yahweh spoke to you out of the middle of the fire: you heard the voice of words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand YHWH speaks to you out of the midst of the fire; you are hearing a voice of words, but you are seeing no likeness, only a voice; Young's Literal Translation 'And Jehovah speaketh unto you out of the midst of the fire; a voice of words ye are hearing and a similitude ye are not seeing, only a voice; Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will speak to you from the midst of the fire, ye hearing a voice of words, and ye seeing not an appearance, except a voice. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord spoke to you from the midst of the fire. You heard the voice of his words, but you saw not any form at all. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord spoke to you from the midst of fire. You heard the voice of his words, but you did not see any form at all. New American Bible Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. New Revised Standard Version Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD spoke to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH spoke with you in the mountain from within the fire; the voice that spoke you were hearing and you were not seeing a form, except the voice only. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD spoke unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no form; only a voice. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire a voice of words, which ye heard: and ye saw no likeness, only ye heard a voice. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context An Exhortation to Obedience…11You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. 12And 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. 13He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.… Cross References Exodus 20:1-22 And God spoke all these words: / “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / You shall have no other gods before Me. ... Exodus 19:9-19 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. ... Hebrews 12:18-21 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ... 1 Kings 19:11-13 Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. / After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Acts 7:38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us. Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent. John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. 1 Timothy 6:16 He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. Exodus 24:16-17 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. Psalm 81:7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. Exodus 3:2-6 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” / When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. ... 1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Isaiah 6:1-5 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ... Matthew 17:5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Treasury of Scripture And the LORD spoke to you out of the middle of the fire: you heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only you heard a voice. the Lord Deuteronomy 5:4,22 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, … no similitude Deuteronomy 4:15 Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Numbers 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? Isaiah 40:18 To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? Deuteronomy 4:33,36 Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? … Exodus 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 1 Kings 19:12,13 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice… Jump to Previous Ears Heard Hearing Midst Similitude Sound Speaketh Voice WordsJump to Next Ears Heard Hearing Midst Similitude Sound Speaketh Voice WordsDeuteronomy 4 1. An exhortation to obedience41. Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan 44. Recapitulation And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. This phrase refers to the theophany at Mount Sinai, where God revealed Himself to the Israelites. The fire symbolizes God's holiness and power, often associated with His presence (Exodus 3:2, 19:18). The fire also signifies purification and judgment, themes prevalent throughout the Old Testament. The Israelites' experience at Sinai was unique, as God directly communicated His covenant and commandments, emphasizing His desire for a relationship with His people. This event foreshadows the New Testament Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended as tongues of fire (Acts 2:3), indicating God's continued presence and communication with His people. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who reveals Himself to His people. 2. Moses The leader of the Israelites, who recounts the events at Mount Sinai. 3. Mount Sinai (Horeb) The place where God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel. 4. The Israelites The chosen people of God, recipients of the Law. 5. The Fire A manifestation of God's presence and holiness. Teaching Points The Unseen GodGod’s nature is spiritual and transcendent, emphasizing faith over sight. Application: Trust in God's presence and guidance even when He is not visibly seen. The Power of God's Voice God's voice is authoritative and life-giving, deserving our attention and obedience. Application: Prioritize listening to God's Word in Scripture and prayer. Reverence and Awe The Israelites' experience at Sinai teaches us to approach God with reverence. Application: Cultivate a heart of worship and respect for God's holiness. The Importance of Obedience Hearing God's voice calls for a response of obedience to His commands. Application: Reflect on areas of life where obedience to God’s Word is needed. God's Covenant Relationship God’s communication with Israel signifies His desire for a covenant relationship. Application: Embrace and nurture your relationship with God through Christ.Verse 12. - On this occasion the people heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; there was no form or shape apparent to the eye. No man can see God's face (Exodus 33:20, 23); "no man hath seen God at any time" (John 1:18); and though the nobles or elders of Israel who went up with Moses into the mount are said to have seen God, it is evident that what they saw was only some luminous manifestation of his glory, and not a form or shape of which a similitude could be made (Exodus 24:9-17). Even Moses, with whom God said that he would speak mouth to month, and who should behold the similitude of God (Numbers 12:8), was told that he could not see his face, his essential personality, but only his back, the reflection of his glory (Exodus 33:18-23). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And the LORDיְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel spoke וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר (way·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to you אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (’ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to out of מִתּ֣וֹךְ (mit·tō·wḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre the fire. הָאֵ֑שׁ (hā·’êš) Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire You אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you heard שֹׁמְעִ֔ים (šō·mə·‘îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently the sound ק֤וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6963: A voice, sound of the words, דְּבָרִים֙ (də·ḇā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause but saw רֹאִ֖ים (rō·’îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see no אֵינְכֶ֥ם (’ê·nə·ḵem) Adverb | second person masculine plural Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle form; וּתְמוּנָ֛ה (ū·ṯə·mū·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8544: Something portioned, out, as a, shape, phantom, embodiment, manifestation there was only זוּלָתִ֥י (zū·lā·ṯî) Preposition Strong's 2108: Scattering, removal, except a voice. קֽוֹל׃ (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound Links Deuteronomy 4:12 NIVDeuteronomy 4:12 NLT Deuteronomy 4:12 ESV Deuteronomy 4:12 NASB Deuteronomy 4:12 KJV Deuteronomy 4:12 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 4:12 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 4:12 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 4:12 French Bible Deuteronomy 4:12 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:12 Yahweh spoke to you out (Deut. 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