Deuteronomy 10:4

And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

And he wrote {H3789} on the tables {H3871}, according to the first {H7223} writing {H4385}, the ten {H6235} commandments {H1697}, which the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} unto you in the mount {H2022} out of the midst {H8432} of the fire {H784} in the day {H3117} of the assembly {H6951}: and the LORD {H3068} gave {H5414} them unto me.

He inscribed the tablets with the same inscription as before, the Ten Words which ADONAI proclaimed to you from the fire on the mountain the day of the assembly; and ADONAI gave them to me.

And the LORD wrote on the tablets what had been written previously, the Ten Commandments that He had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly. The LORD gave them to me,

And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Jehovah spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Jehovah gave them unto me.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 10:4 records a pivotal moment in Israel's history, emphasizing God's direct involvement in establishing His covenant with His people. This verse is part of Moses' recounting of the wilderness journey, specifically highlighting the re-establishment of the foundational laws.

Context

This verse is found within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He is reminding them of their history, particularly the events at Mount Horeb (Sinai). The phrase "according to the first writing" is crucial, as it refers to the second set of stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. The first set was famously broken by Moses in response to Israel's idolatry with the golden calf. This verse underscores God's faithfulness in restoring His law after their failure, as instructed in Exodus 34:1.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authorship and Authority: The verse explicitly states that it was "the LORD" who wrote the commandments on the tablets, not Moses. This emphasizes the divine origin and supreme authority of the law.
  • God's Persistence and Grace: Despite Israel's sin that led to the breaking of the first tablets, God graciously chose to rewrite and restore His covenant stipulations, demonstrating His enduring commitment to His people.
  • The Unchanging Nature of God's Law: The commandments were written "according to the first writing," signifying that the content of God's moral law remained constant and unalterable, even when the physical tablets were replaced.
  • Awe-Inspiring Revelation: The description of the LORD speaking "in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly" vividly recalls the terrifying and glorious manifestation of God's presence at Mount Sinai, underscoring the solemnity and weight of His word.

Linguistic Insights

The term translated "ten commandments" in Hebrew is aseret ha'dibrot, meaning "the ten words" or "the ten utterances." This emphasizes that these are not merely human rules but direct, spoken revelations from God, highlighting their unique status as divine pronouncements.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 10:4 reminds us that God's character and His foundational moral principles are unchanging. Even when humanity falls short, God remains faithful to His word and offers a path to restoration. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • God's Initiative: It is God who reaches out to humanity with His truth and guidance.
  • The Importance of God's Word: The fact that God personally inscribed these laws twice underscores their immense importance for living a life pleasing to Him.
  • Hope in Restoration: Just as God restored the tablets to Israel after their failure, there is always hope for renewed relationship and adherence to His ways even after our own shortcomings, reflecting His mercy and grace, which ultimately finds its fullest expression in the new covenant established through Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 9:10 (6 votes)

    And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

  • Exodus 34:28 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Deuteronomy 18:16 (3 votes)

    According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

  • Hebrews 12:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

  • Hebrews 12:19 (3 votes)

    And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which [voice] they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

  • Deuteronomy 4:11 (2 votes)

    And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.

  • Deuteronomy 4:15 (2 votes)

    Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day [that] the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: