Deuteronomy 9:9
When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
Original Language Analysis
בַּֽעֲלֹתִ֣י
When I was gone up
H5927
בַּֽעֲלֹתִ֣י
When I was gone up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בָּהָ֗ר
in the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֗ר
in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
2 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
לוּחֹ֣ת
even the tables
H3871
לוּחֹ֣ת
even the tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
4 of 23
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
לוּחֹ֣ת
even the tables
H3871
לוּחֹ֣ת
even the tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
6 of 23
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
הַבְּרִ֔ית
of the covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
7 of 23
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּרַ֥ת
made
H3772
כָּרַ֥ת
made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
9 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
יְהוָ֖ה
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִמָּכֶ֑ם
H5973
עִמָּכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
11 of 23
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וָֽאֵשֵׁ֣ב
with you then I abode
H3427
וָֽאֵשֵׁ֣ב
with you then I abode
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בָּהָ֗ר
in the mount
H2022
בָּהָ֗ר
in the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
13 of 23
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
יוֹם֙
days
H3117
יוֹם֙
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
15 of 23
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
לַ֔יְלָה
nights
H3915
לַ֔יְלָה
nights
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
לֶ֚חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֚חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
18 of 23
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
19 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וּמַ֖יִם
water
H4325
וּמַ֖יִם
water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
21 of 23
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
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 24:18And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.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 24:15And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.1 Kings 19:8And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.Matthew 4:2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.Deuteronomy 9:18And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Historical Context
Moses' first forty days on Sinai (Exodus 24:18) received the tablets, tabernacle instructions, and full covenant law. The tablets were 'written with the finger of God' (v. 10), emphasizing divine authorship. Moses descended to find the golden calf, broke the tablets in righteous anger (Exodus 32:19), and later returned for a second forty-day period to receive replacement tablets (Exodus 34:28). This first forty-day period became foundational to Israel's identity as covenant people with written divine law.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Moses' forty-day fast teach about the priority of God's word over physical sustenance?
- How does Moses' mediatorial role point forward to Christ's superior mediation of a better covenant?
- In what ways do you need to separate yourself from distractions to receive God's word fully?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' ascent to receive covenant law establishes his mediatorial role. The 'tables of stone... tables of the covenant' emphasize written, permanent revelation. God initiated covenant; Moses mediated it. The forty-day/night fast ('neither did eat bread nor drink water') demonstrates total devotion and supernatural sustenance. This wasn't human endurance but divine enabling. Moses' fast prefigures Christ's forty-day wilderness fast (Matthew 4:2), showing dependence on God's word over physical need. The detail that Moses received law while Israel sinned below (making the golden calf) creates dramatic irony—covenant being given while covenant being broken.