King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 10:4 Mean?

Deuteronomy 10:4 in the King James Version says “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the m...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. commandments: Heb. words”

Deuteronomy 10:4 · KJV

Context

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

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

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. commandments: Heb. words

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

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.

Read Deuteronomy 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments. God personally inscribes the law with His own hand, emphasizing divine origin and absolute authority. This is not human wisdom but heaven's revelation.

The phrase according to the first writing stresses exact replication - not one jot or tittle differs from the original. God's moral law is unchanging and unchangeable, reflecting His eternal, immutable character. What He declared holy at Sinai remains holy throughout all generations.

The ten commandments (literally 'ten words' in Hebrew) summarize the entire moral law governing relationship with God and neighbor. These fundamental principles undergird all specific case laws and applications. Reformed theology affirms the perpetual validity of the Decalogue as expression of God's moral character.

That God writes these commands demonstrates they come with His full authority - they are not suggestions but sovereign decrees from the Creator to His creatures.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Ten Commandments were originally spoken audibly by God from Mount Sinai (Exodus 20) then written by His finger on stone tablets. Their rewriting after the golden calf incident demonstrated God's commitment to covenant relationship despite human failure.

These commandments became the constitutional core of Israel's theocratic government and remain foundational moral teaching for believers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God wrote the law with His own hand rather than dictating it?
  2. How does the exact replication of the original writing demonstrate God's unchanging standards?
  3. Why are the Ten Commandments called the summary of God's moral law?
  4. In what sense do Christians remain obligated to the moral law expressed in the Decalogue?
  5. How does the permanence of God's written law reflect His immutable character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב1 of 20

“And he wrote”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַֽל2 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַלֻּחֹ֜ת3 of 20

“on the tables”

H3871

probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal

כַּמִּכְתָּ֣ב4 of 20

“writing”

H4385

a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter, copy, edict, poem)

הָֽרִאשׁ֗וֹן5 of 20

“according to the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

אֵ֚ת6 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת7 of 20

“the ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

הַדְּבָרִ֔ים8 of 20

“commandments”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּר֩10 of 20

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֖ה11 of 20

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲלֵיכֶ֥ם12 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בָּהָ֛ר13 of 20

“unto you in the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

מִתּ֥וֹךְ14 of 20

“out of the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הָאֵ֖שׁ15 of 20

“of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בְּי֣וֹם16 of 20

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַקָּהָ֑ל17 of 20

“of the assembly”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם18 of 20

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 20

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָֽי׃20 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 10:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 10:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:10Exodus 34:28Deuteronomy 18:16Deuteronomy 4:11-15Hebrews 12:18-19Exodus 19:17-18

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