In this verse the point is made that, though Yahweh’s voice was heard coming from Mount Sinai, Yahweh himself was not there but in heaven.

Out of heaven he let you hear his voice: “You heard him speak to you from heaven.” See Exo 20.22.

That he might discipline you: the Hebrew verb might be translated “instruct” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible), but here “discipline” is better (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh); see its use in 8.5, of a father disciplining his son. The purpose of all these events was to make Israel an obedient people. An alternative model is “teach you to obey him.”

And on earth he let you see his great fire: see verses 11-12.

You heard his words out of the midst of the fire: see verses 12, 15.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .