Keraia
Deuteronomy 4

Deuteronomy 4:13

An Exhortation to Obedience · Deuteronomy 4:1–14
Read Deuteronomy 4

Translations

Modern
He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.
Traditional
And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Literal
And He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform—the Ten Words. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone.
Latin
Et ostendit vobis pactum suum, quod præcepit ut faceretis, et decem verba, quæ scripsit in duabus tabulis lapideis.

Original

Hebrew
English
He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments that He wrote on two tablets of stone.

Notes

Deuteronomy 4:13

  • The covenant is the main theological idea in Deuteronomy and perhaps in the whole Old Testament. A covenant was a legal agreement between two or more parties. Each side accepted clear and binding responsibilities. In other words, both sides agreed to keep certain promises.

    The covenant at Sinai gave written form to this relationship between the Lord and Israel (Exodus 20–23). In Deuteronomy, Moses explained and expanded this covenant for a new generation. This generation was about to enter, conquer, and live in the promised land.

  • The Ten Commandments (literally the ten words, “decalogue”) are at the center of the covenant. Because of their importance, they are sometimes treated as equal to the covenant itself.

    The first four commandments guide Israel’s relationship with God. The last six commandments guide relationships between people.

  • two tablets of stone: In the ancient world, people made copies of legal documents for all parties involved. Covenant documents followed this same pattern.

    God’s copy was written on two stone tablets. The tablets were placed inside the ark of the covenant in the sanctuary (see Exodus 25:16, 21; 31:18; 40:20; compare Deuteronomy 31:26). Israel’s copy was written in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy (Exodus 20:1–17; Deuteronomy 5:6–21).

Deuteronomy 4:1–40

Moses gave a long speech to the Israelites because of their recent failures and what he thought would happen in Canaan.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Parallels

Deuteronomy 11:1–7

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Congregation Deuteronomy, Book of Joshua, Book of New Covenant

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Dispensation of God Church of Israel in Covenant with God Church of Israel: Established by God Decalogue: Called Words of the Covenant Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Divine Authority For Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Engraved on Stone Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Given at Sinai Obedience: Enjoined Stones: Commandments Engraved Upon Table: of Testimony were Broken Table: of Testimony: The Commandments Engraved Upon Ten Commandments the Ten Commandments: Written by God