Exodus 31:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he gave {H5414} unto Moses {H4872}, when he had made an end {H3615} of communing {H1696} with him upon mount {H2022} Sinai {H5514}, two {H8147} tables {H3871} of testimony {H5715}, tables {H3871} of stone {H68}, written {H3789} with the finger {H676} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he had finished speaking with Moshe on Mount Sinai, ADONAI gave him the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Berean Standard Bible

When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

American Standard Version

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 31:18 marks the climactic conclusion of Moses' forty-day communion with God on Mount Sinai, where he received comprehensive instructions for the Tabernacle, priesthood, and the Sabbath. This pivotal verse describes the direct bestowal of the Ten Commandments upon Moses, etched by divine power onto stone tablets, signifying their supreme authority, eternal nature, and foundational role as the very testimony of God's covenant with Israel. It underscores the direct, supernatural origin of God's law, distinguishing it from any human decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 31:18 serves as the culmination of an extensive block of divine revelation spanning from [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") through [Exodus 31](/exodus/31 "Exodus 31 - The Sabbath and Bezalel"). Following the initial covenant ratification in [Exodus 24](/exodus/24 "Exodus 24 - The Covenant Ratified"), Moses ascended Mount Sinai for a prolonged period of forty days and forty nights, as explicitly stated in [Exodus 24:18](/exodus/24-18 "Exodus 24:18 - Moses on Mount Sinai"). During this intense communion, God meticulously revealed the blueprints for the Tabernacle, the sacred vestments for the priesthood, the intricate details of worship, and the institution of the Sabbath as a perpetual sign of the covenant between God and Israel. This verse, therefore, acts as a divine seal on all the preceding instructions, signifying the completion of this monumental period of direct communication and the physical delivery of the core stipulations of the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law on Mount Sinai was a singular event in the history of Israel, establishing their unique identity as God's covenant people. In the ancient Near East, treaties and covenants between kings or nations were often formalized with written documents, sometimes inscribed on durable materials. However, the divine authorship of the tablets in Exodus 31:18, "written with the finger of God," sets this covenant apart from all human agreements. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty and the non-negotiable nature of His commands. The setting of Mount Sinai, a place of awe-inspiring divine presence, further emphasizes the gravity and holiness of the Law. This moment solidified Israel's foundational legal and moral framework, distinguishing their legal system, rooted in divine revelation, from the more pragmatic or human-derived laws of surrounding nations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tables of Testimony (Hebrew, _luchot ha'edut'_):** This phrase refers to the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. The term "testimony" (עֵדֻת, _edut_) is crucial, signifying a witness or a solemn declaration. These tablets were not merely a list of rules but served as a tangible witness to the covenant agreement between God and Israel, a perpetual reminder of God's righteous demands and Israel's solemn obligations. They were the physical embodiment of God's revealed will, testifying to His character and His relationship with His people.
* **Finger of God (Hebrew, _etsba Elohim'_):** This is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing a human physical characteristic (a finger) to God. It does not imply a literal physical appendage but rather emphasizes God's direct, personal, and irresistible action and power. The phrase signifies divine authorship and supernatural intervention, distinguishing these laws from any human legislation. This same expression is used in [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "Exodus 8:19 - Egyptian Magicians Acknowledge God's Power") when the Egyptian magicians, unable to replicate the plague of gnats, declared, "This is the finger of God," acknowledging a supernatural force beyond their capabilities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he gave unto Moses":** This highlights God's initiative and sovereignty in bestowing His law. Moses is merely the divinely appointed mediator, receiving what God Himself actively gives. This underscores the divine origin and authority of the commandments.
* **"when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai":** This clause signifies the completion of a specific, intense period of direct divine communication. For forty days and nights, God had been revealing His will and instructions to Moses, culminating in the physical delivery of the core covenant stipulations.
* **"two tables of testimony":** These refer to the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. "Testimony" emphasizes their role as a witness to the covenant between God and Israel, serving as a permanent record of God's expectations and Israel's responsibilities. The duality likely refers to one tablet for commands concerning God (first four) and one for commands concerning humanity (last six), or perhaps two copies for each party of the covenant.
* **"tables of stone":** The material choice is highly significant. Stone conveys permanence, durability, and immutability. Unlike parchment or wood, which can decay or be easily altered, stone signifies the enduring, unchangeable, and foundational nature of God's moral law. It reflects the eternal character of the Lawgiver.
* **"written with the finger of God":** This climactic phrase underscores the direct, supernatural, and undeniable authorship of the Ten Commandments. It means God Himself, by His own power and authority, inscribed these words. This divine inscription distinguishes the Mosaic Law from all human legislation, imbuing it with absolute, unquestionable authority.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured in the phrase "written with the finger of God," attributing a human physical action to the transcendent God. This device makes God's direct involvement comprehensible to human understanding, emphasizing His personal and powerful agency in inscribing the Law. **Symbolism** is also evident: the "tables of stone" symbolize the enduring, unchangeable, and foundational nature of God's moral law, contrasting with the transient nature of human decrees. The "two tables of testimony" symbolize the covenant itself, serving as a tangible witness to God's agreement with Israel. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of "tables" ("two tables of testimony, tables of stone") subtly reinforces the importance and physical reality of these divine artifacts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 31:18 profoundly establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of God's moral law. The "finger of God" inscription signifies that the Ten Commandments are not human constructs or cultural norms, but direct revelations of God's holy character and righteous will. This foundational truth underscores the permanence and universality of these principles, which transcend time and culture. The "tables of testimony" represent the tangible embodiment of the covenant, serving as a constant witness to God's relationship with His people and His expectations for their conduct. This act of divine writing on stone foreshadows a deeper, spiritual inscription of God's law on the human heart, a theme central to the New Covenant.

* [Deuteronomy 9:10](/deuteronomy/9-10 "Deuteronomy 9:10 - God Gives Moses the Tablets")
* [2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters Written on Hearts")
* [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 31:18 is a powerful reminder of the profound truth that God is the ultimate author of moral law. His commandments are not arbitrary rules but reflections of His holy and unchanging character, given for humanity's good and flourishing. The fact that they were "written with the finger of God" elevates them beyond mere human legislation, imbuing them with absolute authority and eternal relevance. While the Old Covenant, inscribed on stone, has been superseded by the New Covenant in Christ, the moral principles embedded in the Ten Commandments remain eternally relevant, revealing God's standard of righteousness and exposing humanity's need for grace. This verse calls us to revere God's revealed truth, to recognize its divine origin, and to allow its principles to shape our lives, knowing that true freedom and blessedness are found in alignment with His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "written with the finger of God" impact your understanding of the authority and origin of God's Word?**
* **In what ways do the "tables of stone" symbolize the enduring nature of God's moral principles, even in a changing world?**
* **How can we, in our daily lives, demonstrate reverence for the divine authorship of God's commands?**

### FAQ
**Why is it significant that the tables were "written with the finger of God"?**

Answer: The phrase "written with the finger of God" is profoundly significant because it emphasizes the direct, supernatural, and undeniable authorship of the Ten Commandments by God Himself. It is an anthropomorphism, meaning it attributes a human characteristic (a finger) to God to help us understand His direct action and power. This detail distinguishes the Mosaic Law from any human-devised legislation, elevating it to a unique status of divine decree. It signifies that these laws are not suggestions or cultural norms, but authoritative commands from the Creator, reflecting His perfect character and will. This same powerful imagery is used in [Exodus 8:19](/exodus/8-19 "Exodus 8:19 - Egyptian Magicians Acknowledge God's Power") when the Egyptian magicians, witnessing a plague they could not replicate, declared, "This is the finger of God," acknowledging a divine, irresistible force.

**What is the meaning of "tables of testimony"?**

Answer: The "tables of testimony" (Hebrew: _luchot ha'edut_) refers to the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. The word "testimony" (עֵדֻת, _edut_) means a witness, a solemn declaration, or a covenant stipulation. Therefore, these tablets served as a tangible witness to the covenant relationship established between God and the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. They were the physical embodiment of God's revealed will, testifying to His righteous character and His expectations for His people. They were a perpetual reminder of the terms of the covenant, standing as a witness against Israel if they disobeyed, and a witness to God's faithfulness if they obeyed. This concept is further reinforced by their placement within the Ark of the Covenant, often called the "Ark of the Testimony" (e.g., [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - The Mercy Seat and Testimony")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 31:18, with its depiction of God's law inscribed on stone by His own "finger," finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant, written on external tablets, revealed God's perfect standard and exposed humanity's inability to perfectly keep it, Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the living Word of God, the embodiment of divine truth and righteousness, through whom God's character is fully revealed ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The "finger of God" that wrote on stone now works through the Holy Spirit to write God's law not on tablets of stone, but on the "tablets of human hearts" ([2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Letters Written on Hearts")). Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, the demands of the Law are met, and in the New Covenant, believers are empowered by the Spirit to live according to God's will, not out of external compulsion, but from an internal desire and transformed nature ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"); [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Thus, the divine authorship of the Law in Exodus 31:18 points forward to the divine work of Christ, who enables a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, where His law is internalized and lived out by grace.

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 32:15

¶ And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony [were] in his hand: the tables [were] written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other [were] they written.

Exodus 32:16

And the tables [were] the work of God, and the writing [was] the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

Deuteronomy 4:13

And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, [even] ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

Deuteronomy 5:22

These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

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.

2 Corinthians 3:3

[Forasmuch 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.

Exodus 8:19

Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This [is] the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.