Deuteronomy 10:1-11

What do replacement tablets and continuing service say about Israel’s survival?

Berean Standard Bible

1 At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. 2 And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you are to place them in the ark.” 3 So I made an ark of acacia wood, chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hands. 4 And the LORD wrote on the tablets what had been written previously, the Ten Commandments that He had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly. The LORD gave them to me, 5 and I went back down the mountain and placed the tablets in the ark I had made, as the LORD had commanded me; and there they have remained. 6 The Israelites traveled from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron died and was buried, and Eleazar his son succeeded him as priest. 7 From there they traveled to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land with streams of water. 8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. 9 That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him. 10 I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights, like the first time, and that time the LORD again listened to me and agreed not to destroy you. 11 Then the LORD said to me, “Get up. Continue your journey ahead of the people, that they may enter and possess the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”

What is the context?

The Lord commands new tablets and an ark to hold them, and writes the words that were on the first tablets. The covenant instruction is restored rather than replaced by a more convenient law after the people’s failure.

The account also notes Aaron’s death, Eleazar’s succession, and the setting apart of Levi for service and blessing. Moses returns to the forty days of intercession and the Lord’s refusal to destroy the people, followed by the command to continue toward the promised land. Mercy makes continued life and service possible.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the intervening travel and priesthood notices as showing that God’s answer to prayer allowed the people’s journey and ministry to continue. The Cambridge commentary on verses 6–7 instead emphasizes the different order of stations and the naming of Moserah here, compared with Aaron’s death at Mount Hor in Numbers 20 and 33, and proposes a distinct itinerary source. The difference should be acknowledged; this short notice does not supply a certain modern map that resolves every place-name question.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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