Exodus 34:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מֹשֶׁ֔ה
unto Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
פְּסָל
Hew
to carve, whether wood or stone
#6
לְךָ֛
H0
#7
שְׁנֵֽי
thee two
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#8
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#9
אֲבָנִ֖ים
H68
of stone
a stone
#10
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#11
וְכָֽתַבְתִּי֙
and I will write
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#12
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#13
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#14
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
הַדְּבָרִ֔ים
the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#16
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#17
הָי֛וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#18
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
הַלֻּחֹ֥ת
tables
probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
#20
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִ֖ים
like unto the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#21
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#22
שִׁבַּֽרְתָּ׃
which thou brakest
to burst (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the period of Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1440-1400 BCE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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