Moses restates the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5 to reaffirm the covenant with a new generation and remind them of their responsibilities before entering the Promised Land. The repetition serves as a renewal of the covenant terms, emphasizing that God’s moral law had not changed even though the people had. This generation had not personally stood at Sinai, so Moses recounted the law to ensure they understood the foundation of their national and spiritual life.
“The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.” (Deuteronomy 5:2–3)
The content of the commandments remains largely the same, but the wording of the Sabbath command differs slightly. In Exodus 20, the Sabbath is tied to God’s creation:
“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth… and rested the seventh day.” (Exodus 20:11)
In Deuteronomy, it is linked to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt:
“And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out… therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15)
This shift highlights both God’s authority as Creator and His mercy as Redeemer. The law was not merely about rules but about relationship, God had delivered them, and obedience was a response to His grace. Moses’ restatement was not about revision, but rather about reinforcement.
