Exodus 32:16
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
Original Language Analysis
הַלֻּחֹֽת׃
And the tables
H3871
הַלֻּחֹֽת׃
And the tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
1 of 11
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
were the work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
were the work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
2 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 11
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
מִכְתַּ֤ב
and the writing
H4385
מִכְתַּ֤ב
and the writing
Strong's:
H4385
Word #:
5 of 11
a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem)
מִכְתַּ֤ב
and the writing
H4385
מִכְתַּ֤ב
and the writing
Strong's:
H4385
Word #:
6 of 11
a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem)
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
אֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 11
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
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
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:2 Corinthians 3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Historical Context
No other ancient Near Eastern law code claimed direct divine authorship in this manner. The closest parallels (Hammurabi, etc.) claimed divine inspiration, but not that deity wrote the laws directly.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the divine origin of Scripture shape how you read and obey it?
- What's the relationship between God's law and genuine freedom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The tablets are described as מַעֲשֵׂה אֱלֹהִים (ma'aseh Elohim, the work of God)—wholly divine origin. The inscription וְהַמִּכְתָּב מִכְתַּב אֱלֹהִים (vehamiktav miktav Elohim, and the writing was the writing of God) uses emphatic doubling. The word חָרוּת (charut, engraved) comes from a root meaning 'to cut' or 'inscribe deeply.' The entire description emphasizes these were not human documents but direct divine revelation. The later Talmudic wordplay connects חָרוּת (charut, engraved) with חֵרוּת (cherut, freedom)—true freedom comes from God's law inscribed on hearts (Jer 31:33).