Deuteronomy 4:12

12 And the LORD spoke unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no likeness; only ye heard a voice.

Deuteronomy 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:12

And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire
For the Lord descended on Mount Sinai in a cloud, in fire, and was in the thick darkness, from whence he delivered out the ten commands:

ye heard the voice of the words;
distinctly and plainly, not only the sound of them, but the words themselves, and so as to understand what was meant by them;

but saw no similitude;
not any likeness of the person speaking, by which they could form any idea of him in their minds, which was purposely done to prevent idolatry:

only ye heard a voice;
that was all.

Deuteronomy 4:12 In-Context

10 The day that thou didst stand before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather the people together unto me, and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their sons.

11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of the heavens, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

12 And the LORD spoke unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no likeness; only ye heard a voice.

13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, the ten words; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

14 And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you the statutes and rights that ye might do them in the land which ye are about to enter to possess.