Exodus Chapter 34 · Verse 1
And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
H3871
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
8 of 22
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
H7223
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
10 of 22
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וְכָֽתַבְתִּי֙
and I will write
H3789
וְכָֽתַבְתִּי֙
and I will write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
11 of 22
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
H3871
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
13 of 22
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
the words
H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
15 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָי֛וּ
H1961
הָי֛וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
H3871
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
Strong's:
H3871
Word #:
19 of 22
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
H7223
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
20 of 22
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Cross References
Exodus 32:19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.Psalms 119:89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.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 32:16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.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.
Historical Context
This occurs after the golden calf incident (Exodus 32-33), approximately 40 days after Moses descended with the first tablets. The new tablets will contain the same Decalogue, affirming covenant continuity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to provide new tablets after Israel's sin reveal His character?
- What does it mean that human failure does not nullify God's covenant promises?
Analysis & Commentary
God commands Moses to hew two tablets (שְׁנֵי־לֻחֹת, shenei luchot) like the first, which Moses broke in righteous anger at Israel's idolatry (32:19). This second set demonstrates divine grace—God does not abandon His covenant despite Israel's sin. The phrase 'which thou brakest' carries no rebuke; God acknowledges Moses' appropriate response to apostasy while providing restoration.