Deuteronomy 4:13
And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּגֵּ֨ד
And he declared
H5046
וַיַּגֵּ֨ד
And he declared
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִית֗וֹ
unto you his covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֗וֹ
unto you his covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
4 of 15
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶתְכֶם֙
H853
אֶתְכֶם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
you to perform
H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת
you to perform
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עֲשֶׂ֖רֶת
even ten
H6235
עֲשֶׂ֖רֶת
even ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
9 of 15
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
הַדְּבָרִ֑ים
commandments
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֑ים
commandments
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
10 of 15
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֔ם
and he wrote
H3789
וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֔ם
and he wrote
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
11 of 15
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
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.Exodus 31:18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.Exodus 24:12And 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 19:5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;2 Corinthians 3:7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
Historical Context
God inscribed the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets at Sinai (Exodus 31:18, 34:28). Following ancient Near Eastern treaty patterns, both tablets likely contained the full covenant text—one copy for each party (God and Israel). Moses received these tablets twice, smashing the first set after the golden calf apostasy (Exodus 32:19), then receiving replacement tablets (Exodus 34:1-4). These tablets were deposited in the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:16).
Questions for Reflection
- How does identifying the Ten Commandments as 'covenant' shape your understanding of God's moral law?
- In what ways do the Ten Commandments continue to reveal God's character and guide Christian living today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God 'declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments.' The equation of covenant with Decalogue reveals that the Ten Commandments function as covenant stipulations, not arbitrary rules. The Hebrew 'berit' (covenant) binds God and people in legal relationship with mutual obligations. God's initiative ('he declared...he commanded') emphasizes divine sovereignty in covenant establishment. Writing on 'two tables of stone' indicates permanence and divine authorship. From a Reformed perspective, the moral law reveals God's unchanging character and continues to guide Christian ethics, though Christ fulfills ceremonial aspects.