Exodus 24:12 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Exodus 24:12 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them."

Exodus 24:12 niv

The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction."

Exodus 24:12 esv

The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction."

Exodus 24:12 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain. Stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone on which I have inscribed the instructions and commands so you can teach the people."

Exodus 24 verses

Exodus 24 12 Meaning

Exodus 24:12 recounts the Lord's direct command to Moses, inviting him to ascend Mount Sinai and remain there. The divine purpose was to impart "tablets of stone" containing God's "law and commandments," which God Himself had inscribed. This act established the formal, enduring record of God's covenant demands and teachings for the instruction of the Israelite people. It underscored Moses' unique role as the primary mediator and receiver of divine revelation, solidifying the Law as God's direct, immutable guidance for His people.

Exodus 24 12 Context

Exodus 24:12 occurs immediately after the solemn ratification of the covenant between Yahweh and Israel at Mount Sinai. In previous chapters (Ex 20-23), God had orally delivered the Ten Commandments and the "Book of the Covenant" (social, civil, and ritual laws). In Exodus 24:1-11, Moses recited these laws to the people, who affirmed their obedience. A blood covenant was then formally sealed, and Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders were granted a unique vision of God's glory, even eating and drinking in His presence. Verse 12 serves as God's subsequent, specific instruction to Moses to ascend higher and for a longer duration, shifting from general revelation and communal covenant affirmation to the reception of the definitive, written body of divine law. This context underscores Moses' escalating role as God's personal emissary and the crucial importance of the Law for Israel's identity and worship.

Exodus 24 12 Word analysis

• The LORD (יהוה, YHWH): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the self-existent, eternal One who keeps His promises. His divine authority undergirds the command.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר, vayyomer): Indicates a direct, authoritative divine utterance. God initiates this profound communication.
• to Moses (אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, ʾel-Moshe): Highlights Moses' exclusive and singular role as the direct recipient of this specific and deeper revelation from God.
• 'Come up (עֲלֵה, ʿaleh): An imperative verb, "ascend." This command implies physical elevation and symbolically represents a call to greater spiritual proximity and deeper intimacy with God.
• to Me (אֵלַי, ʾelay): Emphasizes a personal, direct summons from God to Moses' individual presence, distinguishing it from general divine manifestation.
• on the mountain (הָהָרָה, haharah): Specifies Mount Sinai, or Horeb, as the sacred, designated place of divine encounter and covenant-making, a locus of holy separation.
• and stay there (וֶהְיֵה-שָׁם, veheyeh-sham): An imperative of being, "be there," implying not merely a visit but a prolonged dwelling or residency in God's immediate presence. This foreshadows the subsequent forty-day period.
• and I will give you (וְאֶתְּנָה לְךָ, veʾettnah l’kha): Demonstrates God's sovereignty and initiative in bestowing the law as a divine gift, not something earned or produced by human effort.
• tablets of stone (לֻחֹת הָאֶבֶן, luḥōt hāʾeven):
  • tablets (לֻחֹת, luḥōt): Refers to flat, engraved slabs, common for important legal and treaty documents in the ancient Near East. Their nature emphasizes the written, durable nature of the forthcoming Law.
  • of stone (הָאֶבֶן, hāʾeven): Signifies permanence, unchangeability, and divine authorship, as opposed to ephemeral materials.
• with the law and commandments (וְהַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה, vehatorah vehhamitzvah):
  • the law (הַתּוֹרָה, hatorah): From yarah, "to teach, to guide, to instruct." Encompasses God's comprehensive teaching and direction, including specific statutes and general moral principles. More than just legal codes, it implies divine wisdom for living.
  • and commandments (וְהַמִּצְוָה, vehhamitzvah): Refers to specific, detailed divine injunctions or ordinances, providing concrete applications of the broader Law.
• that I have written (אֲשֶׁר כָּתַבְתִּי, ʾasher kātavti): Categorically states God's direct authorship and inscription of the text, emphasizing its divine origin and absolute authority, precluding any human addition or alteration. (Later described as "written with the finger of God" in Ex 31:18).
• for their instruction (לְהוֹרֹתָם, lehorotam): A purpose clause, using a derivative of yarah. The divine purpose of the Law is for teaching, guidance, and direction of the Israelites, for their moral and spiritual education. It underscores the practical, pedagogical, and transformative intent behind God's revelation.

Exodus 24 12 Bonus section

• The idea of "tablets of stone" points to a concept known as "divine law" in contrast to "human law." Unlike laws drafted by human rulers, these tablets represented direct divine authorship, making them absolute and unchangeable.
• The reception of the "Law and commandments" was not merely about receiving rules, but about receiving a "Torah" (instruction/teaching), which provided Israel with a divine worldview, ethical framework, and way of life. This went beyond mere prohibitions to include principles for a holy society.
• The command to "stay there" for an extended period highlights the intensity and depth of the revelation. It signifies that God's instruction is not quickly grasped but requires dedicated time, proximity, and sustained engagement with His presence.
• The fact that God Himself wrote on the tablets (Ex 31:18 refers to the "finger of God") not only stresses divine authority but also miraculous inscription, indicating the profound and unique nature of this revelation compared to all human wisdom.

Exodus 24 12 Commentary

Exodus 24:12 marks a pivotal shift in the Sinai narrative, moving from the foundational covenant established through verbal pronouncements and rituals to the permanent, written encapsulation of God's revealed will. God's summons for Moses to "come up" and "stay" signifies a call to a deeper, more intimate, and sustained encounter with divine presence, distinguishing Moses as the singular channel for the profound truth to follow. The bestowal of "tablets of stone" underscores the divine origin, unalterable nature, and enduring authority of the "Law and commandments." This divinely inscribed "Torah" is not arbitrary legislation but "instruction" given for the people's guidance, blessing, and relationship with their covenant God. This moment solidifies the Law as the definitive blueprint for Israel's identity, worship, and ethical conduct, laying the groundwork for all future covenant fidelity and prophetic interpretation. The tangible nature of the tablets makes the Law a physical witness, demonstrating God's meticulous care in providing comprehensive direction for His chosen nation, distinguishing them from all other peoples.