Who actually wrote the Ten Commandments on the second set of tablets?

While the KJV of Exodus 34:28 states "And he wrote upon the tables," the preceding verses in Exodus 34 clarify this. Exodus 34:1 explicitly states, "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." This indicates that God Himself, not Moses, wrote the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue) on the second set of tablets, just as He did the first time (Exodus 32:16). The "he" in verse 28 is best understood as referring to God, consistent with His promise. Alternatively, some scholars suggest that Moses was commanded to write the *other* covenant stipulations found in Exodus 34:10-26, which are distinct from the Decalogue but part of the broader covenant renewal. Regardless, the divine origin and authority of the Ten Commandments are unequivocally affirmed.

What is the significance of "forty days and forty nights" in this verse?

The period of "forty days and forty nights" is a recurring motif in the Bible, often signifying a time of intense divine activity, testing, purification, or preparation. In Exodus 34:28, it highlights the extraordinary nature and profound intimacy of Moses' communion with God on Mount Sinai. This extended period, during which Moses supernaturally fasted from food and water, underscores the depth of the revelation he received and the unique spiritual experience he underwent. It emphasizes that Moses was completely immersed in God's presence, sustained by divine power rather than natural means. Similar periods of forty days are seen in Noah's flood (Genesis 7:4), Israel's wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:33), Elijah's journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), and Jesus' fasting and temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2). In each instance, "forty" marks a pivotal, transformative period.

34:27 34:27

Exodus 34:28

34:29 34:29

Bible Versions

¶ 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.

And he was there with the LORD {H3068} forty {H705} days {H3117} and forty {H705} nights {H3915}; he did neither eat {H398} bread {H3899}, nor drink {H8354} water {H4325}. And he wrote {H3789} upon the tables {H3871} the words {H1697} of the covenant {H1285}, the ten {H6235} commandments {H1697}.

Moshe was there with ADONAI forty days and forty nights, during which time he neither ate food nor drank water. [ADONAI] wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Words.

So Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

And he was there with Jehovah 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.

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Exodus 34:1

¶ 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.
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.
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 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.
Deuteronomy 9:25

Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down [at the first]; because the LORD had said he would destroy you.
Exodus 32:16

And the tables [were] the work of God, and the writing [was] the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
Exodus 31:18

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.

Bible Versions

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