King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 9:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 9:17 in the King James Version says “And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.”

Deuteronomy 9:17 · KJV

Context

15

So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands.

16

And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.

17

And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.

18

And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

19

For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

Read Deuteronomy 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes. Moses' dramatic shattering of the stone tablets provides prophetic symbolism - Israel has broken the covenant in reality, and Moses demonstrates this physically through breaking the covenant document.

The act was not emotional rage but prophetic demonstration. The tablets represented the covenant relationship between God and Israel; Israel's idolatry had already shattered that covenant spiritually. Moses' physical breaking of the tablets declared publicly what had happened spiritually.

That Moses did this before your eyes emphasizes the public, witnessed nature of covenant violation. Sin is not private matter between individual and God alone when it involves the covenant community. Israel's corporate rebellion required public confrontation and declaration of broken covenant status.

Reformed theology sees this as illustrating the principle that the law brings death to covenant-breakers. The stone tablets, which should have been Israel's charter of blessing, became testimony against them. Only God's gracious renewal of the covenant (providing new tablets) would restore the relationship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses' breaking of the tablets finds parallel in ancient Near Eastern treaty practices, where covenant documents were broken or torn to signify treaty violation. This symbolic act would have communicated clearly to Israel that the covenant relationship stood in jeopardy.

God later commanded Moses to cut new tablets and rewrote the Ten Commandments, demonstrating covenantal grace that restores despite human failure.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why was it important for Moses to break the tablets publicly rather than simply report Israel's sin?
  2. How does the broken covenant tablets picture the spiritual reality of covenant violation?
  3. In what sense does the law bring death to those who violate it?
  4. How does God's provision of new tablets demonstrate His covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness?
  5. What does this teach us about the seriousness of sin within the covenant community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וָֽאֶתְפֹּשׂ֙1 of 9

“And I took”

H8610

to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably

שְׁתֵּ֣י2 of 9

“my two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַלֻּחֹ֔ת3 of 9

“tables”

H3871

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

וָֽאַשְׁלִכֵ֔ם4 of 9

“and cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

מֵעַ֖ל5 of 9

“them out of”

H5921

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

שְׁתֵּ֣י6 of 9

“my two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יָדָ֑י7 of 9

“hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וָֽאֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖ם8 of 9

“and brake”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

לְעֵֽינֵיכֶֽם׃9 of 9

“them before your eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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 9:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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