Deuteronomy10
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1At that time Jehovah 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.
2And I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
3So I made an ark of acacia wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in my hand.
4And 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.
5And I turned and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Jehovah commanded me.
6(And the children of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his stead.
7From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water.
8At that time Jehovah set apart the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, to stand before Jehovah to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
9Wherefore Levi hath no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; Jehovah is his inheritance, according as Jehovah thy God spake unto him.)
10And I stayed in the mount, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights: and Jehovah hearkened unto me that time also; Jehovah would not destroy thee.
11And Jehovah said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
12And now, Israel, what doth Jehovah thy God require of thee, but to fear Jehovah thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Jehovah thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
13to keep the commandments of Jehovah, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
14Behold, unto Jehovah thy God belongeth heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.
15Only Jehovah had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day.
16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
17For Jehovah your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the terrible, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.
18He doth execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loveth the sojourner, in giving him food and raiment.
19Love ye therefore the sojourner; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
20Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear.
21He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
22Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now Jehovah thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Deuteronomy 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God's mercies to Israel after their rebellion. (1–11). An exhortation to obedience. (12–22).
vv1-11
Moses reminded the Israelites of God's great mercy to them, notwithstanding their provocations. There were four things in and by which the Lord showed himself reconciled to Israel. God gave them his law. Thus God has intrusted us with Bibles, sabbaths, and sacraments, as tokens of his presence and favour. God led them forward toward Canaan. He appointed a standing ministry among them for holy things. And now, under the gospel, when the pouring forth of the Spirit is more plentiful and powerful, the succession is kept up by the Spirit's work on men's hearts, qualifying and making some willing for that work in every age. God accepted Moses as an advocate or intercessor for them, and therefore appointed him to be their prince and leader. Moses was a type of Christ, who ever lives, pleading for us, and has all power in heaven and in earth.
vv12-22
We are here taught our duty to God in our principles and our practices. We must fear the Lord our God. We must love him, and delight in communion with him. We must walk in the ways in which he has appointed us to walk. We must serve him with all our heart and soul. What we do in his service we must do cheerfully, and with good will. We must keep his commandments. There is true honour and pleasure in obedience. We must give honour to God; and to him we must cleave, as one we love and delight in, trust in, and from whom we have great expectations. We are here taught our duty to our neighbour. God's common gifts to mankind oblige us to honour all men. And those who have themselves been in distress, and have found mercy with God, should be ready to show kindness to those who are in the like distress. We are here taught our duty to ourselves. Circumcise your hearts. Cast away all corrupt affections and inclinations, which hinder you from fearing and loving God. By nature we do not love God. This is original sin, the source whence our wickedness proceeds; and the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God, Ro 8:5–9. Let us, without delay or reserve, come and cleave to our reconciled God in Jesus Christ, that we may love, serve, and obey him acceptably, and be daily changed into his image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. Consider the greatness and glory of God; and his goodness and grace; these persuade us to our duty. Blessed Spirit! Oh for thy purifying, persevering, and renewing influences, that being called out of the state of strangers, such as our fathers were, we may be found among the number of the children of God, and that our lot may be among the saints.
Key Words
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
פָּסַל: to carve, whether wood or stone
שְׁנַיִם: two; also (as ordinal) twofold
לוּחַ: probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal
אֶבֶן: a stone
רִאשׁוֹן: first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַר: a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10Paul explains the spiritual reality of inward circumcision versus the mere physical, literal sign.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Confirms circumcision of the heart in the spirit is the true mark of God's people.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Historical confirmation that nothing remained in the ark except the two stone tables.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The parallel itinerary that poses a chronological difficulty regarding the journey order.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Records Aaron's death and Eleazar succeeding him in the high priest's office.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes the core requirement of what the Lord requires: walking humbly and fearing God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The command to hew two tables of stone like the first after the golden calf sin.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Later Deuteronomy passage promising that God will circumcise their hearts to love Him.
Supported by John Calvin
Peter echoes the truth that God is no respecter of persons.
Supported by John Calvin
Christ bears the supreme title of Lord of lords and King of kings.
Supported by John Calvin
Command not to vex strangers, remembering Israel's own experience as strangers in Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Command to place the testimony of the law inside the wooden ark.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Explains the legal provisions for Levi's lack of inheritance, having the Lord as their portion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Moses recalls falling down before the Lord forty days and nights to intercede.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Traces the literal count of seventy persons who originally went down into Egypt.
Supported by John Calvin