Deuteronomy 10:4
And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב
And he wrote
H3789
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב
And he wrote
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
1 of 20
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַלֻּחֹ֜ת
on the tables
H3871
הַלֻּחֹ֜ת
on the tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
3 of 20
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
כַּמִּכְתָּ֣ב
writing
H4385
כַּמִּכְתָּ֣ב
writing
Strong's:
H4385
Word #:
4 of 20
a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem)
הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן
according to the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן
according to the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
5 of 20
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת
the ten
H6235
עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת
the ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
7 of 20
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
commandments
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
commandments
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּר֩
spake
H1696
דִּבֶּר֩
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 20
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֖ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בָּהָ֛ר
unto you in the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֛ר
unto you in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 20
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
14 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
18 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 9:10And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.Exodus 34:28And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.Deuteronomy 18:16According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
Historical Context
The Ten Commandments were originally spoken audibly by God from Mount Sinai (Exodus 20) then written by His finger on stone tablets. Their rewriting after the golden calf incident demonstrated God's commitment to covenant relationship despite human failure.
These commandments became the constitutional core of Israel's theocratic government and remain foundational moral teaching for believers.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God wrote the law with His own hand rather than dictating it?
- How does the exact replication of the original writing demonstrate God's unchanging standards?
- Why are the Ten Commandments called the summary of God's moral law?
- In what sense do Christians remain obligated to the moral law expressed in the Decalogue?
- How does the permanence of God's written law reflect His immutable character?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments. God personally inscribes the law with His own hand, emphasizing divine origin and absolute authority. This is not human wisdom but heaven's revelation.
The phrase according to the first writing stresses exact replication - not one jot or tittle differs from the original. God's moral law is unchanging and unchangeable, reflecting His eternal, immutable character. What He declared holy at Sinai remains holy throughout all generations.
The ten commandments (literally 'ten words' in Hebrew) summarize the entire moral law governing relationship with God and neighbor. These fundamental principles undergird all specific case laws and applications. Reformed theology affirms the perpetual validity of the Decalogue as expression of God's moral character.
That God writes these commands demonstrates they come with His full authority - they are not suggestions but sovereign decrees from the Creator to His creatures.