King James Version

What Does Exodus 31:18 Mean?

Exodus 31:18 in the King James Version says “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables ... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Exodus 31:18 · KJV


Context

16

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17

It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

18

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God gives Moses two stone tablets 'written with the finger of God'—divine authorship, permanent record. These tablets containing the ten commandments testify to God's covenant, His moral law, His character. Stone suggests permanence; God's law is unchanging. The finger of God indicates direct divine action, as at creation. Christ fulfills this law perfectly, becoming the living Word that the stone tablets foreshadowed (2 Corinthians 3:3).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These first tablets would be broken when Moses saw Israel's idolatry (Exodus 32:19), requiring a second set. The contrast between stone tablets (law) and Spirit-written hearts (New Covenant) appears in 2 Corinthians 3.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ fulfill the law 'written in stone'?
  2. What is the difference between law on stone tablets and law written on hearts by the Spirit?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּתֵּ֣ן1 of 16

And he gave

H5414

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

אֶל2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֹשֶׁ֗ה3 of 16

unto Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

כְּכַלֹּתוֹ֙4 of 16

when he had made an end

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

לְדַבֵּ֤ר5 of 16

of communing

H1696

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

אִתּוֹ֙6 of 16
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בְּהַ֣ר7 of 16

with him upon mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

סִינַ֔י8 of 16

Sinai

H5514

sinai, mountain of arabia

שְׁנֵ֖י9 of 16

two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לֻחֹ֣ת10 of 16

tables

H3871

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

הָֽעֵדֻ֑ת11 of 16

of testimony

H5715

testimony

לֻחֹ֣ת12 of 16

tables

H3871

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

אֶ֔בֶן13 of 16

of stone

H68

a stone

כְּתֻבִ֖ים14 of 16

written

H3789

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

בְּאֶצְבַּ֥ע15 of 16

with the finger

H676

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

אֱלֹהִֽים׃16 of 16

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


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 31:18 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 31:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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