King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:10 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:10 in the King James Version says “And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.”

Deuteronomy 9:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

9

When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:

10

And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

11

And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.

12

And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The tablets 'written with the finger of God' emphasizes divine authorship and authority. This wasn't human wisdom or religious philosophy but direct divine revelation. The phrase 'finger of God' appears only three times in Scripture: here, Exodus 31:18, and Luke 11:20 (Jesus casting out demons 'by the finger of God'). It signifies immediate divine action. The law's content—'according to all the words which the LORD spake with you'—confirms that written and spoken revelation were identical. God's written word perfectly preserves His spoken word. This establishes Scripture's authority: it is God's own word in written form, not merely human testimony about God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The two tablets likely contained the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13), possibly with both tables containing all ten (ancient treaty format) or divided 1-4 (duties to God) and 5-10 (duties to others). The 'finger of God' indicated supernatural writing, not human engraving. These tablets were placed in the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 10:2, 5) as covenant foundation. Jesus referenced these tablets when summarizing the law (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul distinguishes old covenant 'written... in stone' from new covenant 'written... in fleshy tables of the heart' (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Scripture as 'written with the finger of God' affect your approach to Bible reading and obedience?
  2. What difference does it make that God's word is permanently written rather than only orally transmitted?
  3. How should the law written on stone (external) versus Spirit-written on heart (internal) shape your understanding of new covenant transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן1 of 22

“delivered”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֨ה2 of 22

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֗י3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת4 of 22
H853

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

שְׁנֵי֙5 of 22

“unto me two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לוּחֹ֣ת6 of 22

“tables”

H3871

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

הָֽאֲבָנִ֔ים7 of 22

“of stone”

H68

a stone

כְּתֻבִ֖ים8 of 22

“written”

H3789

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

בְּאֶצְבַּ֣ע9 of 22

“with the finger”

H676

something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe

אֱלֹהִ֑ים10 of 22

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַֽעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם11 of 22
H5921

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

כְּֽכָל12 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֡ים13 of 22

“and on them was written according to all the words”

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 22
H834

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

דִּבֶּר֩15 of 22

“spake”

H1696

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

יְהוָ֨ה16 of 22

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

עִמָּכֶ֥ם17 of 22
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בָּהָ֛ר18 of 22

“with you in the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

מִתּ֥וֹךְ19 of 22

“out of the midst”

H8432

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

הָאֵ֖שׁ20 of 22

“of the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

בְּי֥וֹם21 of 22

“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

הַקָּהָֽל׃22 of 22

“of the assembly”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

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 9:10 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 9:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 31:18Deuteronomy 18:16Hebrews 8:10Deuteronomy 10:4Deuteronomy 4:10-15Deuteronomy 5:6-21

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