King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 10:5 Mean?

Deuteronomy 10:5 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 10:5 · KJV

Context

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.

7

From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.

Read Deuteronomy 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Moses' careful obedience preserves God's word for future generations. The ark safeguards the tablets, ensuring the law remains accessible to Israel throughout their history.

The phrase there they be indicates the tablets remained in the ark at the time of Moses' speech. This eyewitness testimony confirms the continued presence of God's written covenant among His people. The physical tablets served as tangible evidence of God's covenant commitment.

Moses' statement as the LORD commanded me emphasizes exact compliance with divine instruction. Faithful servants handle God's word with utmost care, neither adding to nor diminishing from what He has spoken. This models proper stewardship of divine revelation.

Reformed theology sees in the ark a type of Christ, who perfectly embodies and preserves God's law. Just as the ark contained the tablets, Christ internalized the law perfectly, fulfilling every requirement on behalf of His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ark remained with Israel throughout their wilderness wandering and conquest of Canaan. It was eventually placed in Solomon's temple, where it resided in the Most Holy Place until the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem.

By the time of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:16), the ark had been lost, but God promised a future time when it would not be needed because He would write His law directly on human hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Moses' careful preservation of the law tablets teach about stewarding God's word?
  2. How does the ark serve as type of Christ who perfectly contains and fulfills the law?
  3. Why was it important that the tablets remained accessible to Israel throughout their history?
  4. What is the significance of exact obedience in handling divine revelation?
  5. How does the New Covenant promise of law written on hearts improve upon the tablets in the ark?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וָאֵ֗פֶן1 of 15

“And I turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וָֽאֵרֵד֙2 of 15

“myself and came down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִן3 of 15
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָ֔ר4 of 15

“from the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וָֽאָשִׂם֙5 of 15

“and put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת6 of 15
H853

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

הַלֻּחֹ֔ת7 of 15

“the tables”

H3871

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

בָּֽאָר֖וֹן8 of 15

“in the ark”

H727

a box

אֲשֶׁ֣ר9 of 15
H834

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

עָשִׂ֑יתִי10 of 15

“which I had made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַיִּ֣הְיוּ11 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שָׁ֔ם12 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 15
H834

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

צִוַּ֖נִי14 of 15

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָֽה׃15 of 15

“and there they be as the LORD”

H3068

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

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 10:5 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 10:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 40:20Exodus 34:29Deuteronomy 10:21 Kings 8:8-9Exodus 25:16Deuteronomy 9:15

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