At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
Read it in contextCovenant Renewal and Exhortation
Start reading at Deuteronomy 10:1 (Deuteronomy 10:1 to Deuteronomy 10:22).
This unit begins with Moses recounting the command to make new tables of the law and the ark, leading into a broader exhortation for Israel to fear, love, and obey the LORD based on His character and past faithfulness.
10:1At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
10:2And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
10:3And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.
10:4And 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.
10:5And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.
10:6And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.
10:7From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.
10:8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
10:9Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
10:10And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
10:11And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
10:13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
10:14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
10:15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
10:16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
10:18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
10:19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
10:21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
10:22Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the principal speaker and is expressly credited with writing the law. The account of his death was supplied by a later hand; identifying that final writer as Joshua is traditional, not certain. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24; Deuteronomy 34:5. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Deuteronomy 5:1–11:32): Moses addresses Israel about covenant loyalty, recalling Horeb, the wilderness, and God's provisions. Fathers and children are included in the community commanded to learn and obey. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel assembled in Moab before entering Canaan, and their children and later generations who were to hear the law read. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 29:10; Deuteronomy 31:12. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The LORD commanded Moses to prepare new tables of stone like the first and to make an ark of wood, signifying the renewal of the covenant after the first tables were broken.
What is God revealing? God's faithfulness and mercy in renewing His covenant with Israel despite their sin, and His specific instructions for the construction of the ark to house the law.
What is the literary style? Narrative and instructional, as Moses recounts past events and divine commands.
When
When was it written? Approximately 1400 B.C.
When does the event take place? Approximately 1400 B.C., during the end of the wilderness years, specifically after the golden calf incident and the breaking of the first tables.
Where
Where did it happen? The command was given to Moses on "the mount" (Mount Horeb/Sinai).
Where was the author located? The book of Deuteronomy was written on the Plains of Moab, east of the Jordan.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Covenant Renewal and Exhortation (Deuteronomy 10:1 to Deuteronomy 10:22).
Start reading at Deuteronomy 10:1. This unit begins with Moses recounting the command to make new tables of the law and the ark, leading into a broader exhortation for Israel to fear, love, and obey the LORD based on His character and past faithfulness.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This passage is part of Moses's second discourse, where he recounts Israel's history and God's faithfulness, particularly the renewal of the covenant after their rebellion with the golden calf, before exhorting them to obedience. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The renewal of the covenant and the provision of the ark to house the law demonstrate God's persistent grace and His desire to dwell among His people. This foreshadows Christ, who is the mediator of a new and better covenant (Hebrews 8:6) and in whom the fullness of God's presence dwells (Colossians 2:9). He perfectly fulfilled the law and is the true ark of God's presence. interpretation
How do I apply it today? God is merciful and faithful to His promises even when we fail. We are called to respond to His grace with a circumcised heart, fearing, loving, and serving Him with all our being, remembering His mighty works. interpretation
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church name Moses.
What is debatedChapter 34 records the death of Moses, so even conservative scholars hold that a later hand, often identified as Joshua, added the closing account. Critical scholars date the book much later, to the seventh century B.C.
Other accounts of this event
Moses recounts the golden calf and renewed tablets
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy 10
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences.
Connection to the wholeThe covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
Connection to the wholeDetailed commands apply covenant faithfulness to public worship, leadership, households, work, and the care of vulnerable people.
Connection to the wholeThe speeches set out covenant consequences and call Israel to choose life through love and obedience rather than presume upon privilege.