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Deuteronomy 10:3

KJV

And 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.

Read it in context New Stone Tablets
Start reading at Deuteronomy 10:1 (Deuteronomy 10:1 to Deuteronomy 10:11). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

This 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.

  1. 10:1 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.
  2. 10:2 And 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.
  3. 10:3 And 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 10:5 And 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.
  6. 10:6 And 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.
  7. 10:7 From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.
  8. 10:8 At 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.
  9. 10:9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
  10. 10:10 And 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.
  11. 10:11 And 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.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Deuteronomy 10:1, Deuteronomy 10:11, Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7

Who wrote it, and how we know

Moses (traditional) Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states plainly that Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests. Jesus and the apostles attribute the Law to Moses. Deuteronomy 31:9Deuteronomy 31:24Mark 12:26John 5:46
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

Later retelling included

Deuteronomy is a retrospective appeal, with a different selection and arrangement of details.

Related passages

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

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.

Deuteronomy 1:1 Deuteronomy 1:5 Deuteronomy 30:19

Remember the journey and hear the LORD
Deuteronomy 1:1–4:43

FocusMemory and covenant faithfulness

Connection to the wholeMoses recounts the journey and urges Israel to remember God's acts and avoid idolatry as the people prepare to enter the land.
interpretation
Love and obey the LORD
Deuteronomy 4:44–11:32 You are here · 10:3

FocusThe covenant's central demand

Connection to the wholeThe covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
interpretation
Life in the land
Deuteronomy 12:1–26:19

FocusWorship, justice, and community

Connection to the wholeDetailed commands apply covenant faithfulness to public worship, leadership, households, work, and the care of vulnerable people.
interpretation
Covenant ratification and the choice of life
Deuteronomy 27:1–30:20

FocusBlessing, curse, and return

Connection to the wholeThe speeches set out covenant consequences and call Israel to choose life through love and obedience rather than presume upon privilege.
interpretation
Moses' final acts and death
Deuteronomy 31:1–34:12

FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing

Connection to the wholeJoshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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