Deuteronomy 10

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 10

1¶ At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

2And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.

3And I made an ark [of] shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

4And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

5And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

6And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

7From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.

8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

9Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD [is] his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.

10And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, [and] the LORD would not destroy thee.

11And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take [thy] journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.

12¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

13To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

14Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

15Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, [even] you above all people, as [it is] this day.

16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

17For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

19Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

21He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

22Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Moses recounts God's command to prepare new stone tablets and an ark, upon which the LORD rewrote the Ten Commandments. He then reminds Israel of the Levites' unique separation for service and his own intercession for the people. The chapter culminates in a profound exhortation for Israel to fear, love, and obey the LORD with all their heart, emphasizing His greatness and their chosen status.

Medium Summary

Deuteronomy 10 begins with Moses recalling God's instruction to hew new stone tablets and construct an ark of shittim wood, after the first tablets were broken. The LORD then re-inscribed the Ten Commandments on these new tables, which Moses placed within the ark. The narrative briefly interjects with Israel's journey, including Aaron's death and Eleazar's succession, before Moses recounts the LORD's separation of the tribe of Levi to bear the ark, minister, and bless, explaining their unique inheritance. Moses also recalls his second forty-day intercession, after which God commanded the people to proceed into the promised land. The chapter concludes with a powerful call for Israel to fear, love, and serve the LORD with all their heart and soul, keeping His commandments. This duty is grounded in God's supreme sovereignty, His impartiality, His care for the vulnerable, and His unique choice of Israel, urging them to circumcise their hearts and remember their past as strangers.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 10 commences with Moses recounting the LORD's command to prepare new stone tablets and an ark of shittim wood, following the destruction of the first set of commandments. Moses describes fulfilling these instructions, ascending Mount Horeb with the new tables. The LORD then inscribed the Ten Commandments upon these tables, identical to the original writing, which Moses subsequently placed within the ark as commanded, where they remain. The narrative then shifts to a brief historical interlude concerning Israel's journey, mentioning their travel from Beeroth to Mosera, where Aaron died and was buried, with Eleazar his son succeeding him in the priestly office. Following this, Moses recalls the LORD's specific separation of the tribe of Levi, designating them to bear the Ark of the Covenant, to minister before the LORD, and to bless in His name, a role that continues “unto this day.” This divine appointment explains why Levi received no territorial inheritance among the other tribes, as “the LORD is his inheritance.” Moses then reiterates his second forty-day and forty-night stay on the mount, during which the LORD again hearkened to his plea and chose not to destroy Israel. Upon descending, the LORD commanded Moses to lead the people forward to possess the land promised to their forefathers. The chapter transitions into a profound theological exhortation to Israel, asking what the LORD requires of them: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all their heart and soul, and keep His commandments for their own good. Moses emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty over all creation, from the heavens to the earth. Despite His omnipotence, God uniquely delighted in and chose Israel's fathers and their descendants above all peoples. Therefore, Israel is commanded to “circumcise the foreskin of your heart” and cease being stiffnecked, reflecting an internal transformation. God is presented as the “God of gods, and Lord of lords,” mighty and terrible, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed, executing justice for the fatherless, widow, and loving the stranger. Israel is urged to love the stranger, remembering their own past as strangers in Egypt. The chapter concludes by reaffirming that the LORD is Israel's praise and God, who performed great and terrible things for them, multiplying them from seventy souls to a multitude like the stars of heaven.

Core Concepts

  • The Second TabletsMoses recounts God's command to hew new stone tablets and the re-inscription of the Ten Commandments, which were then placed in the Ark of the Covenant.
  • The Ark of the CovenantAn ark of shittim wood was constructed to house the tables of the law, serving as a central symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel.
  • Levitical SeparationThe tribe of Levi was specifically chosen and separated by the LORD to bear the Ark, minister before Him, and bless in His name, receiving the LORD Himself as their inheritance.
  • Divine RequirementThe LORD requires Israel to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him with all their heart and soul, and diligently keep His commandments for their well-being.
  • God's Sovereignty and ChoiceThe chapter highlights God's supreme dominion over all creation and His unique, gracious choice of Israel, not based on their merit but on His delight in their fathers.
  • Circumcision of the HeartIsrael is exhorted to undergo an internal spiritual transformation, symbolized by the "circumcision of the foreskin of your heart," signifying a softening of will and obedience.
  • Justice and Love for the StrangerGod is portrayed as impartial, executing justice for the vulnerable (fatherless, widow) and loving the stranger, a quality Israel is commanded to emulate, remembering their own history in Egypt.