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Meaning of Doctrine and Covenants 5:21-25

The passage in Doctrine and Covenants 5:21-25 addresses themes of divine judgment, human accountability, and the consequences of rejecting God's word. While this specific text is from a modern scripture, its themes resonate with biblical concepts found in both the Old and New Testaments regarding oaths, divine observation, and the ultimate outcome of human actions.

The idea of an oath and its associated curses appears in various biblical contexts. For example, Numbers 5:21-22 describes a ritual oath administered by a priest to a woman suspected of adultery, where she would say "Amen, amen" to the curses invoked [8, 9]. The text specifies that "The Lord shall make you a curse and an oath among your people when the Lord will cause your thigh to fall away, and your belly to swell" [10]. This passage from Numbers highlights the solemnity and tangible consequences associated with divine oaths and curses in ancient Israelite law.

The concept of God observing human actions and judging them accordingly is a recurring motif. Proverbs 5:21 states, "For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths" [2]. The Hebrew text uses כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי אִ֑ישׁ (kiy nōḵaḥ ʿênēy yhwh darḵê ʾiyš), meaning "for before the eyes of the LORD are the ways of man" [2]. This emphasizes God's omnipresence and His meticulous examination of every individual's conduct. Similarly, Exodus 5:21 records the Israelites' complaint to Moses and Aaron, saying, "The LORD look upon you and judge!" (ASV), indicating a belief in divine oversight and judgment even in their distress [3].

The New Testament also speaks to the idea of accountability and the consequences of one's choices. Galatians 5:24 mentions "passions and desires" in the context of those who have faith in Christ being "crucified with him" and becoming "new people," implying a departure from sinful desires [6]. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching that those who belong to Christ have died to their sinful nature [6].

The phrase "prove all things; hold fast that which is good" from 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (ASV) speaks to the discernment required of believers [1]. This verse, while not directly about judgment, implies a process of evaluation and adherence to truth, which is foundational to avoiding negative divine judgment. The idea of "proving" or "testing" is crucial in distinguishing between good and evil, a theme that undergirds the warnings in Doctrine and Covenants 5.

The broader context of divine law and covenant, as seen in Deuteronomy 5, where the Ten Commandments are reiterated, underscores the seriousness of God's expectations for humanity [4, 7]. Matthew Henry notes that these commandments "were in the nature of a covenant between God and Israel" [4]. Adam Clarke also highlights Moses' role as mediator in this covenant [7]. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:21-47, where he contrasts his own teaching with traditional interpretations of the law, further emphasizes a deeper, internal righteousness beyond mere outward observance [5]. This "surpassing righteousness" demands reconciliation and prohibits hatred, not just murder [5].

Sources

  1. I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 5:21 (ASV) — prove all things; hold fast that which is good;”
  2. MACULA Hebrew “Proverbs 5:21 — Hebrew linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי אִ֑ישׁ וְֽ כָל מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥י ו מְפַלֵּֽס Word-by-word: כִּ֤י (kiy) = "for" [3588] C; נֹ֨כַח (nōḵaḥ) = "before" [5227] R; עֵינֵ֣י (ʿênēy) = "eyes" [5869] Ncbdc; יְ֭הוָה (yhwh) = "LORD" [3068] Np; דַּרְכֵי (darḵê-) = "ways" [1870] Ncbpc; אִ֑ישׁ (ʾiyš) = "man’s" [0376] Ncmsa; וְֽ (wə) = "and" [2050b] C; כָל (ḵol-) = "all" [3605] Ncmsc; מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥י = "paths" [4570a] Ncmpc; ו = "his" [2050c] Sp3ms; מְפַלֵּֽס (məp̄allēs:) = "examines" [6424a] Vprmsa”
  3. morphhb/WLC “Exodus 5:21 — Hebrew morphology (morphhb/WLC): וַ/יֹּאמְר֣וּ [lemma:c/559] (HC/Vqw3mp); אֲלֵ/הֶ֔ם [lemma:413] (HR/Sp3mp); יֵ֧רֶא [lemma:7200] (HVqi3ms); יְהוָ֛ה [lemma:3068] (HNp); עֲלֵי/כֶ֖ם [lemma:5921 a] (HR/Sp2mp); וְ/יִשְׁפֹּ֑ט [lemma:c/8199] (HC/Vqi3ms); אֲשֶׁ֧ר [lemma:834 a] (HTr); הִבְאַשְׁתֶּ֣ם [lemma:887] (HVhp2mp); אֶת [lemma:853] (HTo); רֵיחֵ֗/נוּ [lemma:7381] (HNcmsc/Sp1cp); בְּ/עֵינֵ֤י [lemma:b/5869 a] (HR/Ncbdc); פַרְעֹה֙ [lemma:6547] (HNp); וּ/בְ/עֵינֵ֣י [lemma:c/b/5869 a] (HC/R/Ncbdc); עֲבָדָ֔י/ו [lemma:5650] (HNcmpc/Sp3ms); לָֽ/תֶת [lemma:l/5414] (HR/Vqc); חֶ֥רֶב [lemma:2719]”
  4. Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 5 (introduction): In this chapter we have the second edition of the ten commandments. I. The general intent of them; they were in the nature of a covenant between God and Israel (Deu 5:1-5). II. The particular precepts are repeated (v. 6-21), with the double delivery of them, both by word and writing (Deu 5:22). III. The settling of the correspondence thenceforward between God and Israel, by the mediation and ministry of Moses. 1. It was Israel's humble petition that it might be so (Deu 5:23-27). 2. It was God's gracious grant that it should be so (Deu 5:28-31). An”
  5. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:21: 5:21-47 You have heard. . . . But I say: Jesus contrasts his own teaching to six misinterpretations of the law. Each antithesis provides an example of the surpassing righteousness of Jesus. Jesus reveals the will of God as it contrasts with traditions. 5:21 our ancestors were told: The expression refers to the traditional interpretation of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Though their traditions prohibited murder, they did not prohibit hatred. The surpassing righteousness of Jesus demands reconciliation (5:23-24); merely refraining from committing mur”
  6. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:24: 5:24 Those who have faith in Christ are crucified with him (cp. 2:19-20; Rom 6) and become new people (Rom 6:1-2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:5-15): They have died to their sinful nature and to the law (Gal 2:19; Rom 7:4-6; 2 Cor 5:14; Col 3:1-4). • passions and desires: As in 5:19-21.”
  7. Numbers (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Numbers 5 (introduction): God's covenant with the people in Horeb, Deu 5:1-4. Moses the mediator of it, Deu 5:5. A repetition of the ten commandments, vv. 6-21; which God wrote on two tables of stone, Deu 5:22. The people are filled with dread at the terrible majesty of God, Deu 5:23-26; and beseech Moses to be their mediator, Deu 5:27. The Lord admits of their request, Deu 5:28; and deplores their ungodliness, Deu 5:29. They are exhorted to obedience, that they may be preserved in the possession of the promised land, Deu 5:30-33.”
  8. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 99b.71:10: The Gemara elaborates: There is an element of oath within it, as it is written: “And the priest shall administer an oath to the woman… and the woman shall say: Amen, amen” (Numbers 5:21–22). “Amen” is the oath that the woman takes.”
  9. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shevuot 36a.10: The Gemara elaborates: There is an element of oath within it, as it is written: “And the priest shall administer an oath to the woman… and the woman shall say: Amen, amen” (Numbers 5:21–22). “Amen” is the oath that the woman takes.”
  10. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 17a.3: And then he does not write the beginning of the following verse, which states: “Then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall say to the woman” (Numbers 5:21), but he does write the oath recorded in the continuation of the verse: “The Lord shall make you a curse and an oath among your people when the Lord will cause your thigh to fall away, and your belly to swell. And this water that causes the curse shall go into your bowels, and cause your belly to swell, and your thigh to fall away” (Numbers 5:21–22); but he do”
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