Exodus 34 27

Exodus 34:27 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

Exodus 34:27 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

Exodus 34:27 niv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

Exodus 34:27 esv

And the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

Exodus 34:27 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel."

Exodus 34 verses

Exodus 34 27 Meaning

Exodus 34:27 marks a pivotal moment in the renewal of God's covenant with Israel following the golden calf idolatry. Here, the LORD commands Moses to inscribe the preceding "words," which constitute the terms and stipulations for this renewed covenant. This written record serves as the foundational basis and immutable witness for the covenant God has graciously re-established with Moses as the mediator, and through him, with the entire nation of Israel. It underscores the divine origin and binding nature of these decrees.

Exodus 34 27 Context

Exodus 34 takes place immediately after the momentous events of the golden calf apostasy (Ex 32) and the subsequent intercession of Moses and God's renewed promise of His presence (Ex 33). Having broken the original tablets of the law in his anger over Israel's idolatry, Moses is now called back to Mount Sinai by the LORD to receive a second set of tablets and a renewed revelation of God's character and covenant terms. Chapters 34:1-9 describe God's majestic descent and proclamation of His gracious, compassionate, and just character. Chapters 34:10-26 detail the stipulations of the renewed covenant, sometimes called the "Ritual Decalogue," emphasizing faithfulness to Yahweh, observance of feasts, and separation from idolatrous practices. Verse 27, therefore, serves as the divine command to formally document these very terms.Historically, written covenants were common in the ancient Near East, solidifying agreements between kings, nations, or between suzerains and vassals. God's command to "write down these words" elevates the covenant with Israel to a permanent, authoritative document, reflecting the typical structure of a suzerain-vassal treaty, but unique in that the Sovereign is the Creator of the universe. This direct command for written revelation acts as a strong polemic against the fluid nature of oral traditions that could easily be altered or forgotten, as well as against the prevalent idol worship whose associated cultic practices were unwritten or mutable, depending on human whims. It firmly establishes God's unchanging word as the ultimate standard, accessible to all, and not subject to human manipulation.

Exodus 34 27 Word analysis

• Then the LORD: Yĕhovah (יהוה) – God’s personal covenant name, emphasizing His unique relationship with Israel as their redeeming God, not a generic deity. It highlights the divine initiative in the covenant renewal.
• said: va'yomer (וַיֹּאמֶר) – Implies a direct, authoritative verbal communication. God's spoken word precedes the command to write, showing divine revelation as primary.
• to Moses: Moses functions as the indispensable mediator between God and Israel, entrusted with both hearing and inscribing the divine commands. His unique position highlights the importance of divinely appointed leadership in covenant transmission.
• Write down: Kəṯoḇ (כְּתֹב) – The imperative form signifies a direct, unnegotiable command. This word is crucial; it transitions the divine decree from oral revelation to tangible, permanent record. It ensures the covenant's preservation and authority across generations. The act of writing provides stability, legal force, and makes the covenant accessible for instruction and witness.
• these words: ha’dᵊḇārîm hā’ēllæh (הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) – Refers specifically to the preceding stipulations mentioned in Ex 34:10-26, which lay out the requirements for Israel to remain in covenant relationship with God (e.g., prohibition of other gods, making no treaty with the land’s inhabitants, observing feasts, firstborn dedication). It’s not necessarily the Ten Commandments directly here (those were on tablets), but the expanded covenant terms related to their renewed relationship and life in the land. This phrase points to the specific content to be recorded.
• for: kî (כִּי) – This conjunction indicates cause or reason. The act of writing is not arbitrary but essential because of the following stated purpose.
• in accordance with these words: ‘al-pî ha’dᵊḇārîm hā’ēllæh (עַל־פִּי הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) – Literally "according to the mouth of these words" or "on the mouth of these words." This Hebrew idiom emphasizes that the covenant is precisely established upon the precise stipulations and requirements just given. The terms themselves are the basis, rather than being mere accessories to an existing agreement. It signifies an exact, strict adherence to the divine declarations.
• I have made: kāraṯî (כָּרַתִּי) – From the verb kārat (כָּרַת) which means "to cut." This is the common Hebrew idiom for "making" or "cutting" a covenant, often accompanied by the cutting of an animal as a sign, symbolizing the death of parties if they break the covenant (cf. Gen 15:9-10). It highlights the solemnity and binding nature of God's unilateral decision.
• a covenant: bərît (בְּרִית) – A binding agreement or solemn pledge, which in biblical context often includes obligations for one or both parties and blessings/curses for observance/transgression. This covenant, initiated by God, defines His relationship with Israel, revealing His character and providing the framework for their national existence and identity.
• with you: Referring to Moses. He is the immediate recipient of the divine command and the one personally addressed in the covenant terms, underscoring his unique mediatorial role.
• and with Israel: ū‘im yisrā’ēl (וְעִם יִשְׂרָאֵל) – The nation, the collective recipient of the covenant. This shows the corporate nature of God's dealings with His chosen people. The covenant benefits and obligates all Israelites, uniting them under God's law.

Exodus 34 27 Bonus section

The phrase "Ritual Decalogue" is a scholarly term referring to Ex 34:10-26 because of its parallels in form to the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) but focused more on cultic/ritual practices. While God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, Moses was commanded to write these specific words in a "book," suggesting a collection of stipulations, likely the basis for later legal collections in the Pentateuch. This command for a written record highlights the permanence of God's decrees, setting them apart from transient human customs or agreements in the ancient world. The written word establishes an objective standard, allowing for review, teaching, and accountability. It transforms a momentary divine encounter into a foundational, enduring law for a nation. This also sets the precedent for what would become Scripture—the authoritative, divinely inspired written word.

Exodus 34 27 Commentary

Exodus 34:27 serves as the formal commissioning of the written law, underscoring the vital principle of biblical authority and permanence. Having just renewed the covenant, God immediately commands its transcription. This demonstrates that the terms of God’s covenant are not subject to the fleeting nature of memory or the corruption of oral tradition but are fixed and reliable, a testament to God's desire for clarity and unwavering commitment in His relationship with humanity. It underscores that revelation is concrete, accessible, and forms the bedrock upon which God’s people are to live. For Israel, this meant having an immutable standard by which to live, a tangible reminder of God's expectations and His faithful commitment to them despite their failures. Practically, this points to the enduring relevance and truth of God’s written Word, the Bible, for believers today. Just as God commanded Moses to write for His covenant people then, He has provided His inspired word for His new covenant people, the church, ensuring His will and way are known across all generations.