Exodus 31:18

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן
And he gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מֹשֶׁ֗ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#4
כְּכַלֹּתוֹ֙
when he had made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#5
לְדַבֵּ֤ר
of communing
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#6
אִתּוֹ֙
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#7
בְּהַ֣ר
with him upon mount
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#8
סִינַ֔י
Sinai
sinai, mountain of arabia
#9
שְׁנֵ֖י
two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#10
לֻחֹ֣ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#11
הָֽעֵדֻ֑ת
of testimony
testimony
#12
לֻחֹ֣ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#13
אֶ֔בֶן
H68
of stone
a stone
#14
כְּתֻבִ֖ים
written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#15
בְּאֶצְבַּ֥ע
with the finger
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#16
אֱלֹהִֽים׃
of God
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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Exodus, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Exodus.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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