Deuteronomy 10:2 kjv
And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
Deuteronomy 10:2 nkjv
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you shall put them in the ark.'
Deuteronomy 10:2 niv
I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the ark."
Deuteronomy 10:2 esv
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.'
Deuteronomy 10:2 nlt
and I will write on the tablets the same words that were on the ones you smashed. Then place the tablets in the Ark.'
Deuteronomy 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 32:19 | As soon as Moses came near…he saw the calf and the dancing... cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them. | Moses breaks original tablets |
| Exod 34:1 | The LORD said to Moses, "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone... and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets." | God commands new tablets, promises to rewrite |
| Exod 34:28 | So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights... and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. | God writes on new tablets |
| Exod 40:20 | He took the testimony and put it into the ark... | Tablets placed in Ark |
| Deut 4:13 | So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. | Refers to original covenant words |
| Deut 9:15-17 | So I turned and came down from the mountain... and threw the tablets out of my hands and broke them. | Moses' recounting of breaking tablets |
| Num 14:18-19 | 'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression...' "Please pardon the iniquity of this people..." | God's willingness to forgive after sin |
| Psa 19:7-8 | The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. | Law's enduring perfection and benefit |
| Isa 43:25 | "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins." | God's grace and blotting out sin |
| Jer 31:31-33 | "Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant... I will put My law within them and write it on their heart." | Promise of new covenant, inner writing of law |
| Eze 36:26-27 | "Moreover, I will give you a new heart... and I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." | Inner transformation and obedience |
| Heb 8:6,10 | But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry... "I will put My laws into their minds and write them on their hearts." | New covenant, superior ministry, inner law |
| Heb 9:4 | ...in which were the golden jar containing the manna, Aaron's staff... and the tablets of the covenant. | Confirmation of tablets in the Ark |
| 2 Cor 3:3 | ...you are a letter of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. | Contrast of old/new covenant, stone/heart |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. | Spiritual renewal and new creation |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease... His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. | God's unfailing mercy and renewal |
| John 1:17 | For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. | Law given, grace in Christ |
| Rom 5:20-21 | The Law came in so that transgression would increase... where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. | Sin's increase, grace's abundance |
| Rom 7:12 | So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. | The enduring goodness of the Law |
| Matt 5:17 | "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." | Christ fulfills the Law |
Deuteronomy 10 verses
Deuteronomy 10 2 Meaning
Deuteronomy 10:2 reveals God's gracious initiative to restore His covenant with Israel after their severe transgression with the golden calf. Despite Moses having broken the original stone tablets of the Ten Commandments due to the people's sin, God commands new tablets to be prepared, upon which He Himself would re-engrave the very same divine words. These re-written tablets were then to be placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying the perpetual presence and central importance of God's Law within the community and before His dwelling presence. It speaks powerfully to divine forgiveness, restoration, and the enduring nature of God's word and covenant despite human failure.
Deuteronomy 10 2 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 10 is part of Moses' second major discourse to Israel, delivered in the plains of Moab as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This particular section (10:1-11) immediately follows Moses' fervent prayer and intercession for the people after the devastating sin of the golden calf, which he describes in detail in chapter 9. Moses reminds the generation about to enter Canaan of God's astonishing grace and patience, recounting how God mercifully commanded him to prepare new stone tablets to replace the ones Moses shattered in righteous anger over Israel's idolatry (Deut 9:17). Deuteronomy 10:2, therefore, highlights God's faithful initiative to restore the covenant relationship, providing the Law again and ensuring its preservation in the sacred Ark, despite Israel's earlier, profound failure. This historical account serves as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast love and the centrality of His commands to their national identity and future.
Deuteronomy 10 2 Word analysis
- And I will write (וְאֶכְתֹּב - ve'echtov): This phrase emphasizes divine initiative and sovereignty. It's not Moses who re-writes, but God Himself, signifying the enduring authority and sacredness of the commands despite the previous covenant breach. It underscores God's grace and unwavering commitment to His people, choosing to restore the terms of their relationship.
- on the tablets (עַל־הַלֻּחֹת - al-ha-luchot): Refers to two stone tablets. In the ancient Near East, treaties and laws were often inscribed on tablets. Here, the material's durability symbolizes the eternal and unchanging nature of God's word, distinct from fleeting human decrees.
- the words (אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים - et-ha-devarim): Specifically refers to the Ten Commandments, which are "the words" par excellence, signifying God's direct revelation and authoritative instruction for His people. This term, "davar," carries weight as God's powerful utterance.
- that were on the former tablets (אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ עַל־הַלֻּחֹת הָרִאשֹׁנִים - asher hayu al-ha-luchot ha-rishonim): This directly links the new tablets to the original, emphasizing continuity of content and divine intent. It is the same law, reinforcing its unchanging nature. The specific mention of "former tablets" calls back to the fresh wound of their sin and God's renewed grace.
- which you broke (אֲשֶׁר שִׁבַּרְתָּ - asher shibbarta): "Shibbarta" is a strong verb, "to break," "to shatter." This highlights Moses' act, representing the nation's profound failure to uphold their end of the covenant through idolatry (Exod 32). This direct and sharp accusation of breaking is key to understanding the context of grace. It's God restoring despite their breaking.
- and you shall put them (וְשַׂמְתָּם - ve'samtan): This is a command to Moses, placing upon him the responsibility to correctly place and preserve these divinely written tablets. It underscores the importance of guarding and respecting God's covenantal terms.
- in the ark (בָּאָרוֹן - b'aron): Refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne and dwelling presence. Placing the Law within the Ark symbolizes its centrality to the covenant, its preservation by God Himself, and its role as the foundation of God's relationship with His people. It signifies the Law's divine origin and its sacred status as the core of Israel's identity and worship.
Deuteronomy 10 2 Bonus section
- Theological Significance of God Rewriting: The fact that God Himself wrote the commandments, both times, highlights their ultimate authority and divine origin, making them non-negotiable and perfectly righteous. It speaks to God's self-revelation.
- Symbolism of the Ark: The Ark was the earthly throne of God, symbolizing His presence among His people. The tablets, as the terms of the covenant, placed inside the Ark (which later also contained manna and Aaron's rod) affirmed that God's dwelling with His people was inherently tied to His revealed will.
- Contrast with ANE Treaties: While ANE treaties often included breaking curses for covenant violations, this act of re-engraving signifies divine grace superseding the full consequences, demonstrating Yahweh's unique mercy compared to ancient Near Eastern deities or human kings.
- Forecasting New Covenant Principles: The willingness of God to renew the covenant points to the ultimate new covenant (Jer 31:31-34, Heb 8:10), where God's law is written not on stone, but on hearts, indicating an even deeper, more personal internal transformation provided through Christ.
Deuteronomy 10 2 Commentary
Deuteronomy 10:2 powerfully illustrates the heart of God's relationship with Israel: a blend of righteous expectation and boundless grace. The breaking of the first tablets symbolized Israel's shattering of the covenant through idolatry. Yet, this verse reveals God's initiative to re-engrave the very same commands on new stone. This act is not an erasure of sin but an overwhelming demonstration of divine forgiveness and steadfast love. God doesn't issue a new, lesser covenant, nor does He abandon His chosen people. Instead, He affirms the enduring validity and importance of His Law. Placing these re-written tablets in the Ark of the Covenant signifies their inviolable sanctity and perpetual presence at the very core of Israel's national and spiritual life. It reminds them that God's faithful presence (represented by the Ark) is tied to His foundational word (the Law within it), and that even after great failure, He remains committed to their restoration and guidance. It's a profound declaration that God’s covenantal commitment transcends human sin, offering renewal and hope.