Deuteronomy 9:9

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

When I was gone up {H5927} into the mount {H2022} to receive {H3947} the tables {H3871} of stone {H68}, even the tables {H3871} of the covenant {H1285} which the LORD {H3068} made {H3772} with you, then I abode {H3427} in the mount {H2022} forty {H705} days {H3117} and forty {H705} nights {H3915}, I neither did eat {H398} bread {H3899} nor drink {H8354} water {H4325}:

Complete Jewish Bible

I had gone up the mountain to receive the stone tablets, the tablets on which was written the covenant ADONAI had made with you. I stayed on the mountain forty days and nights without eating food or drinking water.

Berean Standard Bible

When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water.

American Standard Version

When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which Jehovah made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 9:9 recounts Moses' profound and pivotal forty-day and forty-night fast on Mount Horeb, where he ascended to receive the sacred stone tablets of the covenant directly from the Lord. This extraordinary period of divine encounter, characterized by miraculous sustenance without food or water, profoundly underscores the solemnity, sanctity, and supernatural origin of God's direct revelation of His Law to Israel, thereby establishing the foundational terms of their relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 9:9 is strategically placed within Moses' second major discourse to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land. Chapters 9 and 10 serve as a powerful and sobering reminder of Israel's past rebelliousness and, conversely, God's unwavering faithfulness. Moses meticulously recounts the events at Mount Horeb (Sinai), particularly the egregious golden calf incident (detailed immediately after this verse in [Deuteronomy 9:15-21](/deuteronomy/9-15 "Deuteronomy 9:15-21 - The Golden Calf Incident")), to unequivocally disabuse the people of any self-righteous notion that their impending success in Canaan is due to their own merit. Instead, he emphatically stresses that God's sovereign grace and steadfast covenant commitment are the sole bases for their inheritance. This verse, therefore, sets the crucial stage for Moses to impress upon them the profound gravity of the covenant and their repeated, grievous breaches of its terms.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Moses' address is the wilderness, approximately four decades after the momentous Exodus from Egypt. The generation that initially witnessed the covenant at Sinai has largely passed away, and a new generation, born in the wilderness, now stands ready to transition from nomadic life to settled nationhood in Canaan. Moses' speech, encapsulated in Deuteronomy (meaning "second law"), is a re-presentation and re-interpretation of the Law, meticulously tailored for this new generation and their unique challenges. While the giving of law on a mountain, often accompanied by divine manifestations, was not entirely unprecedented in the broader ancient Near Eastern cultural landscape, the unique **nature** of YHWH's covenant—a direct, personal, and holy relationship with a singular, sovereign God—profoundly set Israel apart. Extended fasting, especially in conjunction with divine encounters, was a recognized practice for spiritual preparation and demonstration of devotion in antiquity, yet Moses' 40-day fast without any physical sustenance was unequivocally miraculous, signifying a unique and profound divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to and illuminates several overarching themes central to the book of Deuteronomy. It preeminently highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing God's direct, personal, and authoritative communication of His will to humanity through the chosen mediator, Moses, specifically through the [giving of the Law at Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai"). It profoundly underscores the **Covenant Relationship** between YHWH and Israel, where the "tables of the covenant" symbolize the binding, bilateral agreement that fundamentally defined Israel's identity, purpose, and responsibilities as God's chosen people. Moses' miraculous 40-day fast points directly to the **Holiness and Authority of God's Word**, indicating the immense weight, divine origin, and supernatural power inherent in the commands. Furthermore, by recounting this awe-inspiring event immediately before detailing Israel's egregious failures, Moses subtly yet powerfully introduces the enduring theme of **God's Enduring Faithfulness** despite persistent human unfaithfulness—a theme that resonates with profound significance throughout [the entire book of Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to cut" (referencing the ancient practice of cutting animals in two and passing between the pieces to ratify a covenant), this term signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty between two parties, often involving specific obligations, promises, and consequences for breach. In the biblical context, God's covenant with Israel at Sinai, tangibly symbolized by the "tables of the covenant," established a unique, exclusive relationship, defining Israel as God's chosen people and outlining the terms of their obedience and blessing. It was fundamentally a divine initiative, demonstrating God's gracious election and unwavering commitment to His people.
* **Mount (Hebrew, _har'_):** This term refers to a mountain or range of hills, often used figuratively to denote elevation or promotion. In the context of Deuteronomy 9:9, "the mount" specifically refers to Mount Horeb, also known as Sinai, which served as the sacred locus of God's profound self-revelation and covenant-making with Israel. The elevated nature of the mountain symbolizes God's transcendence and the awe-inspiring, elevated nature of the divine encounter that took place there, setting it apart as a holy space for direct divine communication.
* **Forty days and forty nights (Hebrew, _ʼarbâʻîym yôwm wᵉʼarbâʻm layil'_):** This numerical phrase is a deeply significant and recurring motif throughout biblical narratives, consistently denoting an extended, divinely appointed period of testing, purification, preparation, or intense divine encounter. Examples include Noah's flood ([Genesis 7:4](/genesis/7-4 "Genesis 7:4 - The Flood Begins")), Elijah's journey to Horeb ([1_kings/19-8](/1-kings/19-8 "1 Kings 19:8 - Elijah's Journey to Horeb")), and Jesus' temptation in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Temptation")). In Moses' case, this specific duration emphatically underscores the extraordinary nature, profound intensity, and extended duration of his unparalleled communion with God, signifying a period of deep spiritual transformation and direct divine sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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":** This opening clause precisely articulates the solemn purpose of Moses' arduous ascent: to receive the divine Law. The initial mention of "tables of stone" is immediately clarified and amplified by the appositional phrase "even the tables of the covenant," emphatically underscoring that these are not merely legal codes but the foundational, binding terms of God's solemn, relational agreement with the nation of Israel. The subsequent phrase "which the LORD made with you" highlights God's sovereign initiative, personal engagement, and the direct, intimate nature of this divine-human pact.
* **"then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights":** This segment specifies the extraordinary duration of Moses' stay on Mount Horeb. The precise measurement of "forty days and forty nights" denotes an extended, unbroken period of profound and intense communion with God, a time uniquely set apart for unparalleled spiritual encounter and the direct reception of divine revelation, emphasizing its unique character and significance.
* **"I neither did eat bread nor drink water":** This concluding clause powerfully emphasizes the miraculous and supernatural nature of Moses' sustenance throughout this extended period. His ability to survive without any physical food or water for such an extraordinary duration was not a feat of human endurance or asceticism but a direct, undeniable act of divine provision and miraculous intervention. This detail serves as a potent testimony to the supernatural power and holy presence of God on the mountain, underscoring the immense gravity, sanctity, and divine origin of the Law being received.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 9:9 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological and historical message. The **Repetition** of "tables of stone" immediately clarified by "tables of the covenant" serves as an emphatic **Apposition**, clarifying and intensifying the nature of the divine revelation: it is not merely a collection of legal statutes but the very foundation of the sacred, binding relationship between God and Israel. The recurring phrase "forty days and forty nights" functions as a potent **Biblical Motif** or **Symbolism**, signifying an archetypal period of significant divine interaction, testing, or preparation, thereby drawing profound parallels to other pivotal moments in salvation history. Furthermore, the explicit description of Moses' fast, "I neither did eat bread nor drink water," highlights a clear instance of **Divine Intervention**, underscoring the extraordinary and supernatural nature of the event. This detail is not meant to be interpreted as a typical human fast but rather as a miraculous act of divine sustenance, emphasizing the unparalleled sanctity and immense weight of the Law being received directly from God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 9:9 profoundly illustrates the very nature of divine revelation and the absolute sanctity of God's covenant with His people. It emphatically teaches that God's Law is not a human construct or a mere ethical code, but a direct, holy utterance originating from the Creator Himself, delivered under extraordinary, supernatural circumstances to underscore its intrinsic authority, permanence, and divine origin. Moses' miraculous fast highlights the unique, privileged, and indispensable mediator role he played between a holy God and a sinful Israel, thereby setting a profound precedent for the seriousness and reverence with which God's word should always be received and obeyed. This pivotal event at Sinai established the comprehensive legal, moral, and spiritual framework for Israel's entire national existence, fundamentally defining their identity as a people uniquely set apart by God's sovereign grace and eternally bound by His covenant stipulations.

* [Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - Moses Called to the Mountain to Receive the Tablets")
* [Exodus 34:28](/exodus/34-28 "Exodus 34:28 - Moses' Second Forty-Day Fast and Covenant Renewal")
* [Nehemiah 9:13](/nehemiah/9-13 "Nehemiah 9:13 - God's Just Laws Given at Sinai")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 9:9 profoundly invites us to reflect on the deep reverence due to God's revealed Word and the absolute depth of commitment required for cultivating a genuine, transformative relationship with Him. Moses' extreme dedication, coupled with his miraculous sustenance on the mountain, serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that encountering God's truth is an inherently weighty and sacred matter, demanding our complete attention, spiritual preparation, and wholehearted submission. We are called not merely to superficially read or intellectually assent to Scripture, but to approach it with a profound sense of awe, recognizing its divine origin, its inherent authority, and its transformative power to reshape our lives. Just as God supernaturally sustained Moses in extraordinary ways to enable him to receive His holy Law, so too does He promise to sustain us—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—as we diligently seek to understand, embrace, and live by His revealed will. This verse profoundly challenges us to critically examine the seriousness with which we engage with God's commands and promises, fostering within us a fervent desire for deeper communion, unwavering obedience, and an unshakeable trust in His divine ability to empower us for His glorious purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Moses' miraculous 40-day fast on the mountain challenge my own approach to engaging with and receiving God's Word in my daily life?**
* **In what specific ways do I tend to rely on my own limited strength or resources rather than explicitly trusting in God's miraculous sustenance and provision in my spiritual journey?**
* **What profound insights does the emphasis on "the tables of the covenant" teach me about the foundational nature and enduring significance of my relationship with God today?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses fast for forty days and forty nights without food or water?**

Answer: Moses' extraordinary 40-day and 40-night fast on Mount Horeb, as vividly described in [Deuteronomy 9:9](/deuteronomy/9-9 "Deuteronomy 9:9 - Moses' Miraculous Fast on Mount Horeb") and also in [Exodus 34:28](/exodus/34-28 "Exodus 34:28 - Moses' Second Miraculous Fast"), was not a typical human fast but a clear and undeniable act of divine, miraculous sustenance. Its purpose was multifaceted: it profoundly signified the unparalleled and extraordinary nature of his direct communion with God, emphasizing the immense sanctity, gravity, and divine origin of the Law he was receiving. This extended period without any physical sustenance underscored that Moses was being supernaturally sustained by God's immediate presence and omnipotent power, thereby highlighting the absolute holiness of the divine encounter and the profound significance of the covenant revelation. It served as a unique and powerful demonstration of God's unparalleled ability to provide for His chosen servant in an utterly unique way during one of the most pivotal moments in salvation history.

**What is the significance of "the tables of the covenant"?**

Answer: The "tables of the covenant" refer specifically to the two stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were directly inscribed by the finger of God. These commandments formed the foundational stipulations and core principles of the covenant God graciously made with the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb). Their significance is multifaceted and profound: they represent the direct, tangible, and written revelation of God's perfect moral law to humanity; they serve as the enduring, physical symbol of the binding and sacred agreement between YHWH and His chosen people, meticulously defining their identity, responsibilities, and unique relationship with Him; and they unequivocally underscore the relational aspect of God's law, as it was lovingly given within the intimate context of a covenant relationship, not as an arbitrary set of rules. These tablets were absolutely central to Israel's worship, national identity, and legal framework, serving as a constant, tangible reminder of their unique and sacred bond with God, as further emphasized in [Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - Moses Receives the Tables of Stone").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 9:9, with its vivid account of Moses' miraculous forty-day fast and the reception of the stone tablets of the Law, finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several interconnected ways. Moses, serving as the preeminent mediator of the Old Covenant, powerfully foreshadows Jesus Christ, who is revealed as the perfect, superior mediator of the New and better Covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Just as Moses ascended the sacred mountain to receive God's holy Law, Jesus Christ ascended not a physical mountain, but ultimately the cross, to perfectly fulfill that Law and establish a new covenant sealed by His own precious blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in Christ's Blood")). The forty-day period, a time of intense divine encounter and unique sustenance for Moses, profoundly resonates with Jesus' own forty-day fast and temptation in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:1-2](/matthew/4-1-2 "Matthew 4:1-2 - Jesus' Fast and Temptation in the Wilderness")), where He perfectly obeyed God's will and resisted temptation in every way that Israel, and even Moses, had previously faltered. Furthermore, the "tables of the covenant" written on stone, which the people of Israel repeatedly broke due to their sinfulness, powerfully point forward to the New Covenant where God's law is miraculously written, not on external stone tablets, but intimately on the very hearts and minds of believers by the indwelling Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"); [2_corinthians/3-3](/2-corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters Written on Hearts, Not Stone")). Thus, Moses' unique and miraculous experience on the mountain, supernaturally sustained by God to receive the Law, ultimately serves as a profound type and shadow pointing to Christ, who perfectly embodies, fulfills, and transcends the Law, offering a new and living way to God through grace and the Spirit, far surpassing the limitations of stone tablets.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 34:28

¶ And 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 24:18

And 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.

1 Kings 19:8

And 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.

Exodus 24:15

And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount.

Exodus 24:12

¶ And 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.

Deuteronomy 9:18

And 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.

Matthew 4:2

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.