King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:11 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 9:11 · KJV

Context

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.

13

Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The stone tablets represent God's permanent, authoritative revelation of His moral law inscribed by His own finger.

The number forty signifies testing, preparation, and divine completion throughout Scripture. Moses' forty-day fast on Sinai parallels Christ's forty-day temptation, both involving confrontation with God's word in contexts of testing.

These tablets contain the Ten Commandments - the fundamental moral law reflecting God's character and governing all human relationships. Written in stone, they represent the unchanging, permanent nature of God's moral requirements. Reformed theology affirms the perpetual validity of the moral law summarized in the Decalogue.

The designation tables of the covenant identifies these commandments as the constitutional core of God's covenant with Israel, defining the relationship between the holy God and His chosen people.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred at Mount Sinai (also called Horeb in Deuteronomy) after Israel's exodus from Egypt. While Moses communed with God on the mountain, Israel sinned by creating the golden calf, breaking the covenant even as it was being established.

The stone tablets written by God's finger demonstrated divine origin and authority - these were not human laws but revelation from heaven.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God wrote the law with His own finger rather than dictating it to Moses?
  2. How do the stone tablets symbolize the permanent nature of God's moral law?
  3. Why did God choose to reveal His covenant in written form rather than oral tradition alone?
  4. How does Moses' forty-day fast prefigure Christ's ministry and temptation?
  5. In what sense do Christians remain obligated to the moral law written on these tablets?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 15
H1961

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

מִקֵּץ֙2 of 15

“And it came to pass at the end”

H7093

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים3 of 15

“and forty”

H705

forty

י֔וֹם4 of 15

“days”

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

וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים5 of 15

“and forty”

H705

forty

לָ֑יְלָה6 of 15

“nights”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

נָתַ֨ן7 of 15

“gave”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֜ה8 of 15

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלַ֗י9 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת10 of 15
H853

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

שְׁנֵ֛י11 of 15

“me the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לֻח֥וֹת12 of 15

“even the tables”

H3871

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

הָֽאֲבָנִ֖ים13 of 15

“of stone”

H68

a stone

לֻח֥וֹת14 of 15

“even the tables”

H3871

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

הַבְּרִֽית׃15 of 15

“of the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

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 9:11 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 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:9Hebrews 9:4Numbers 10:33Hebrews 8:6-10

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 9 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes