Deuteronomy 9:10
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
delivered
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן
delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לוּחֹ֣ת
tables
H3871
לוּחֹ֣ת
tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
6 of 22
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
כְּתֻבִ֖ים
written
H3789
כְּתֻבִ֖ים
written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
8 of 22
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּאֶצְבַּ֣ע
with the finger
H676
בְּאֶצְבַּ֣ע
with the finger
Strong's:
H676
Word #:
9 of 22
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַֽעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
H5921
וַֽעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּֽכָל
H3605
כְּֽכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדְּבָרִ֡ים
and on them was written according to all the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֡ים
and on them was written according to all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 22
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 #:
15 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶ֥ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֥ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
17 of 22
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בָּהָ֛ר
with you in the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֛ר
with you in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
18 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
out of the midst
H8432
מִתּ֥וֹךְ
out of the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
19 of 22
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
Cross References
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.Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: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.Deuteronomy 10:4And 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.
Historical Context
The two tablets likely contained the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13), possibly with both tables containing all ten (ancient treaty format) or divided 1-4 (duties to God) and 5-10 (duties to others). The 'finger of God' indicated supernatural writing, not human engraving. These tablets were placed in the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:2, 5) as covenant foundation. Jesus referenced these tablets when summarizing the law (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul distinguishes old covenant 'written... in stone' from new covenant 'written... in fleshy tables of the heart' (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Scripture as 'written with the finger of God' affect your approach to Bible reading and obedience?
- What difference does it make that God's word is permanently written rather than only orally transmitted?
- How should the law written on stone (external) versus Spirit-written on heart (internal) shape your understanding of new covenant transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The tablets 'written with the finger of God' emphasizes divine authorship and authority. This wasn't human wisdom or religious philosophy but direct divine revelation. The phrase 'finger of God' appears only three times in Scripture: here, Exodus 31:18, and Luke 11:20 (Jesus casting out demons 'by the finger of God'). It signifies immediate divine action. The law's content—'according to all the words which the LORD spake with you'—confirms that written and spoken revelation were identical. God's written word perfectly preserves His spoken word. This establishes Scripture's authority: it is God's own word in written form, not merely human testimony about God.