King James Version

What Does Exodus 32:15 Mean?

Exodus 32:15 in the King James Version says “And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were wr... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

Exodus 32:15 · KJV


Context

13

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

14

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

15

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

16

And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

17

And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses descended (וַיִּפֶן וַיֵּרֶד, vayyifen vayyered, turned and went down) carrying שְׁנֵי לֻחֹת הָעֵדֻת (shnei luchot ha'edut, the two tablets of the testimony). The עֵדוּת (edut, testimony) emphasizes these were witness to God's covenant. Written מִשְּׁנֵי עֶבְרֵיהֶם (mishney evreihem, on both sides), they were completely filled with God's law. The detail מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה (mizeh umizeh, on one side and on the other) stresses the tablets' comprehensive divine revelation, wholly God's work with no human contribution.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses spent 40 days on Sinai receiving the law (Ex 24:18). The tablets were written by God's finger (v16), making them utterly unique in biblical history. Their destruction (v19) would necessitate a second set (Ex 34:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the care given to preserving God's Word reflect its value?
  2. What does the complete divine authorship of Scripture mean for its authority today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּ֜פֶן1 of 17

turned

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

וַיֵּ֤רֶד2 of 17

and went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מֹשֶׁה֙3 of 17

And Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

מִן4 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָהָ֔ר5 of 17

from the mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

מִשְּׁנֵ֣י6 of 17

and the two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

לֻחֹ֗ת7 of 17

tables

H3871

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

הָֽעֵדֻ֖ת8 of 17

of the testimony

H5715

testimony

בְּיָד֑וֹ9 of 17

were in his hand

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

לֻחֹ֗ת10 of 17

tables

H3871

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

כְּתֻבִֽים׃11 of 17

on the one side and on the other were they written

H3789

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

מִשְּׁנֵ֣י12 of 17

and the two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶבְרֵיהֶ֔ם13 of 17

their sides

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

מִזֶּ֥ה14 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּמִזֶּ֖ה15 of 17
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֵ֥ם16 of 17
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

כְּתֻבִֽים׃17 of 17

on the one side and on the other were they written

H3789

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


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 32:15 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 32:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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