King James Version

What Does Exodus 24:12 Mean?

Exodus 24:12 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a la... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

Exodus 24:12 · KJV


Context

10

And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

11

And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

12

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

13

And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.

14

And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

God summons Moses higher and longer—'be there' (וֶהְיֵה־שָׁם, veheyeh-sham) suggests extended stay. God will give stone tablets (לֻחֹת הָאֶבֶן, luchot ha'even)—permanent, imperishable record. 'Law and commandments which I have written' (הַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוָה אֲשֶׁר כָּתַבְתִּי, hatorah vehammitzvah asher katavti)—God Himself writes, not Moses. The ten words are literally inscribed by God's finger (31:18, Deuteronomy 9:10). Purpose: 'that thou mayest teach them'—Moses receives revelation to transmit. The stone tablets endure (until Moses breaks them, 32:19); the written word outlasts oral tradition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern law codes were often inscribed on stone (like Hammurabi's stele). God's stone tablets signified permanence and divine origin. Moses' extended time on the mountain (40 days, v. 18) creates crisis below (golden calf, ch. 32).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God write the law on stone rather than leaving oral tradition—what does written revelation accomplish?
  2. How does God writing with His own finger emphasize the law's divine origin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 19

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶל3 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה4 of 19

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֲלֵ֥ה5 of 19

Come up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֵלַ֛י6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָהָ֖רָה7 of 19

to me into the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וֶֽהְיֵה8 of 19
H1961

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

שָׁ֑ם9 of 19
H8033

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

וְאֶתְּנָ֨ה10 of 19

and be there and I will give

H5414

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

לְךָ֜11 of 19
H0
אֶת12 of 19
H853

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

לֻחֹ֣ת13 of 19

thee tables

H3871

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

הָאֶ֗בֶן14 of 19

of stone

H68

a stone

וְהַתּוֹרָה֙15 of 19

and a law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְהַמִּצְוָ֔ה16 of 19

and commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר17 of 19
H834

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

כָּתַ֖בְתִּי18 of 19

which I have written

H3789

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

לְהֽוֹרֹתָֽם׃19 of 19

that thou mayest teach

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 24:12 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 Exodus 24:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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