Deuteronomy10
World English Bible · Public Domain
1At that time Yahweh said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.”
3So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand.
4He wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Yahweh spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly; and Yahweh gave them to me.
5I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Yahweh commanded me.
6(The children of Israel traveled 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 place.
7From there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water.
8At that time Yahweh set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to stand before Yahweh to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
9Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, according as Yahweh your God spoke to him.)
10I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and Yahweh listened to me that time also. Yahweh would not destroy you.
11Yahweh said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”
12Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13to keep Yahweh’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?
14Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven, the heaven of heavens, and the earth, with all that is therein.
15Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes.
18He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.
19Therefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20You shall fear Yahweh your God. You shall serve him. You shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
21He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
22Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky 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