Deuteronomy 4:12-15
Context4:12 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. 1 4:13 And he revealed to you the covenant 2 he has commanded you to keep, the ten commandments, 3 writing them on two stone tablets. 4:14 Moreover, at that same time the Lord commanded me to teach you statutes and ordinances for you to keep in the land which you are about to enter and possess. 4
4:15 Be very careful, 5 then, because you saw no form at the time the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the middle of the fire.
Deuteronomy 4:36
Context4:36 From heaven he spoke to you in order to teach you, and on earth he showed you his great fire from which you also heard his words. 6
1 tn The words “was heard” are supplied in the translation to avoid the impression that the voice was seen.
2 sn This is the first occurrence of the word בְּרִית (bÿrit, “covenant”) in the Book of Deuteronomy but it appears commonly hereafter (4:23, 31; 5:2, 3; 7:9, 12; 8:18; 9:9, 10, 11, 15; 10:2, 4, 5, 8; 17:2; 29:1, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21, 25; 31:9, 16, 20, 25, 26; 33:9). Etymologically, it derives from the notion of linking or yoking together. See M. Weinfeld, TDOT 2:255.
3 tn Heb “the ten words.”
4 tn Heb “to which you are crossing over to possess it.”
5 tn Heb “give great care to your souls.”
6 tn Heb “and his words you heard from the midst of the fire.”