New Tablets and Covenant
Exodus 34:1-28
Exo.34.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- פסל: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כראשנים: PREP+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וכתבתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הלחת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הלחת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- הראשנים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שברת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 10:1-5 (quotation): Direct retelling of the command to hew two new stone tablets like the first and the account of the renewed tablets—closely parallels Exodus 34:1–4.
- Exodus 31:18 (verbal): Earlier account stating that Moses received 'two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God'—provides the background for the 'first tables' mentioned in Exod 34:1.
- Exodus 32:15-19 (verbal): Narrative of Moses coming down with the two tablets and breaking them at the sight of the golden calf; explains why God commands new tablets in Exod 34:1.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34 (thematic): Prophecy of a new covenant in which God will put his law within people and 'write it on their hearts'—thematically linked to God's writing of the law on tablets in Exodus.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3-7 (thematic): Paul contrasts the covenant written on stone with the new covenant written by the Spirit—alludes to the divine writing on stone tablets and reinterprets its meaning for the Christian community.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Carve for yourself two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke."
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Hew for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke."
Exo.34.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לבקר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועלית: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,sg
- בבקר: PREP
- אל: NEG
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- סיני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונצבת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- שם: ADV
- על: PREP
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 19:3 (verbal): Moses 'went up' to God and the LORD spoke from the mountain; parallels the command to ascend Mount Sinai and present oneself to God.
- Exodus 19:20 (structural): God comes down on Mount Sinai and calls Moses up to the top of the mountain—same setting and motif of ascent to the mountaintop.
- Exodus 24:15-18 (thematic): Moses goes up into the mountain, a cloud covers it, and he remains there (forty days and nights); echoes the narrative pattern of ascending Sinai to meet God.
- Deuteronomy 9:9 (allusion): Moses' retrospective account of going up the mountain to receive the stone tablets—later retelling of the same ascent to Sinai.
Alternative generated candidates
- "And be ready in the morning, and go up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to me there on the top of the mountain."
- "And be ready for the morning; and in the morning go up to Mount Sinai, and stand there for me on the top of the mountain."
Exo.34.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- וגם: CONJ
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- גם: ADV
- הצאן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והבקר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ירעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- מול: PREP
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Exod.19:12-13 (verbal): Same Sinai boundary instructions — set limits around the mountain and forbid anyone (or beast) from touching or approaching it; closely parallels the prohibition in 34:3.
- Exod.24:1-2 (structural): God/Moses instruct that only Moses (and selected elders) are to ascend while the people must not come up — echoes the command that no one accompany Moses to the mountain.
- Deut.5:4-5 (allusion): Moses’ retelling of Sinai: the people were afraid and did not go up the mountain, with Moses standing between them and God — thematically parallels the prohibition on approaching the mount.
- Lev.16:2 (thematic): Restriction on access to the divine presence (only the high priest into the holy place at appointed time) — parallels the theme of separation and limited approach to God at Sinai.
Alternative generated candidates
- "And no one shall go up with you, and let no one even be seen on all the mountain; even the flock and the herd shall not graze in front of that mountain."
- "And no one shall go up with you, and indeed no one shall be seen on all the mountain; even the flock and the herd shall not graze in front of that mountain."
Exo.34.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפסל: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,sg
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כראשנים: PREP
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- סיני: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exod.34.1 (quotation): God's direct command to 'hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first' — the immediate instruction that prompts Moses to take two tablets.
- Exod.32.19 (thematic): Narrative of Moses breaking the first tablets after the golden calf incident — explains why a second set of tablets was necessary.
- Deut.10.1-5 (verbal): Retelling of the Sinai events: the LORD commands new tablets to be hewn like the first, Moses writes on them, and they are placed in the ark — a direct parallel account of Exodus 34:4.
- Exod.24.12 (thematic): Earlier promise that the LORD would give Moses 'tables of stone' containing the law on Mount Sinai — sets the context for receiving (and later re-receiving) the tablets.
Alternative generated candidates
- So he carved two tablets of stone like the former ones; and Moses rose early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
- So he hewed two tablets of stone like the first ones; and Moses rose early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
Exo.34.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בענן: PREP
- ויתיצב: VERB,hithpael,impf,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.19:20 (verbal): LORD 'came down' on Mount Sinai; similar language of God descending to meet Moses in a cloud.
- Exod.24:15-18 (structural): Cloud covering the mountain and the glory of the LORD descending while Moses stands in the cloud—same Sinai-theophany context and imagery.
- Exod.40:34-35 (thematic): The cloud descends and the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle; the presence of God manifesting in a cloud parallels Exodus 34:5.
- 1 Kings 8:10-11 (thematic): At the dedication of Solomon's temple a cloud fills the house and the glory of the LORD appears—temple parallel to Sinai/tabernacle theophany.
- Matt.17:5 (allusion): A bright cloud overshadows the disciples and a voice from the cloud proclaims Jesus' identity—New Testament echo of divine presence descending in a cloud and God speaking from it.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and he proclaimed the name of the LORD.
- And the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.
Exo.34.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- רחום: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וחנון: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- אפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 14:18 (verbal): Repeats the core formula about the LORD being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression — a close verbal echo of Exod 34:6–7.
- Psalm 103:8 (verbal): Directly echoes the language 'The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,' reflecting the same divine character description as Exod 34:6.
- Psalm 86:15 (verbal): Uses virtually the same terms ('merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love'), applying the Exodus portrayal of God to personal prayer.
- Nehemiah 9:17 (thematic): Attributes to God the same qualities (gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love) in a communal confession, echoing Exod 34:6's theology of forgiveness and mercy.
- Jonah 4:2 (verbal): Jonah's words describe God as gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love — an explicit echo of the Exodus proclamation used to explain divine relentings.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness,
- And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
Exo.34.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- נצר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- חסד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאלפים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשא: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופשע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחטאה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונקה: CONJ+VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ינקה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- רבעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 14:18 (verbal): Nearly identical wording — 'The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression,' and the clause about visiting the iniquity of fathers appears here as well.
- Deuteronomy 5:9 (verbal): Restates the Ten Commandments' formulation of God's character and the warning about visiting the iniquity of the fathers on subsequent generations (echoes Exodus' language).
- Deuteronomy 7:9 (thematic): Affirms God's faithfulness and 'keeping covenant and steadfast love to a thousand generations,' echoing Exodus' emphasis on mercy extended across generations.
- Psalm 103:8-10 (verbal): Portrays the same divine attributes — compassionate, gracious, abounding in steadfast love — and explicitly states God does not deal with us according to our sins, paralleling the themes of forgiveness and mercy.
- Ezekiel 18:20 (thematic): Offers a theological counterpoint to Exodus' 'visiting the iniquity of the fathers' by asserting individual responsibility ('the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father'), engaging the same topic of generational punishment.
Alternative generated candidates
- keeping loyal love to thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; yet by no means will he clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon children and upon children’s children, to the third and to the fourth."
- keeping steadfast love to thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; yet he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon sons and upon sons' sons, to the third and to the fourth."
Exo.34.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וימהר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Genesis 17:3 (verbal): Abram 'fell on his face' (ויקרע אל־פניו / ויפול על־פניו) — similar wording for bodily prostration as an act of reverence before God.
- Joshua 5:14 (verbal): The commander/figure 'fell on his face to the earth and did worship' — nearly identical description of falling to the ground and worshiping in a theophanic encounter.
- 1 Kings 8:54 (structural): Solomon 'rose from before the altar, where he had been prostrate with his face to the ground' — similar posture of prostration at an act of divine presence and liturgical response.
- Psalm 95:6 (thematic): 'O come, let us worship and bow down' (בואו נשְׁתַּחֲוֶה) — communal summons to bow/ worship, thematically parallel to individual acts of prostration before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Moses hurried and bowed to the ground and worshiped.
- And Moses hurried, and bowed to the earth and worshiped.
Exo.34.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- נא: PART
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- ילך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- בקרבנו: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- עם: PREP
- קשה: ADJ,m,sg
- ערף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וסלחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לעוננו: PREP
- ולחטאתנו: PREP
- ונחלתנו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 33:15–16 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel — Moses insists that Yahweh 'go in our midst' and that His presence accompany Israel, continuing the same petition for God's presence.
- Exodus 32:11–14 (thematic): Moses' earlier intercession after the golden calf: he pleads for Yahweh to relent and spare the people, invoking mercy and asking forgiveness for their sin.
- Numbers 14:17–19 (verbal): Moses appeals to God's reputation and asks explicitly for pardon ('forgive the iniquity'), echoing the language and pattern of petition found in Exod 34:9.
- Deuteronomy 9:6 (verbal): Uses the same characterization of Israel as 'a stiff-necked people' (קשה־ערף), the very reason Moses gives for urgent intercession and pleading for mercy.
- Psalm 106:23 (thematic): Narrates Moses' intercession that averts divine destruction — thematically parallels the appeal for forgiveness and for God to remain with His wayward people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, please let my Lord go in our midst—for it is a stiff-necked people—and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
- And he said, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, O Lord, please let the Lord go in our midst, for it is a stiff-necked people; and forgive our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance."
Exo.34.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנה: PART
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- כרת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נגד: PREP
- כל: DET
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- נפלאת: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- נבראו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וראה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נורא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
Parallels
- Deut.4.34 (verbal): Speaks of no other nation’s god doing such great things—‘signs and wonders’—paralleling Exodus’ claim that God will do unparalleled wonders among the peoples.
- Deut.7.19 (verbal): Refers to the great signs and wonders performed for Israel (especially in Egypt), echoing the Exodus promise of extraordinary deeds that will make God’s work known.
- Ps.78.43 (thematic): Psalm retells God’s extraordinary acts and wonders on behalf of Israel (notably in Egypt), thematically echoing the declaration that God will work awesome, unparalleled deeds.
- Acts 7.36 (allusion): Stephen summarizes God’s deliverance of Israel—‘wonders and signs…in Egypt and the wilderness’—alluding to the same tradition of unique mighty acts promised in Exodus 34:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "See, I am cutting a covenant: before all your people I will do wonders that have not been wrought in all the earth and in all the nations; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I am doing with you."
- And he said, "Look, I am making a covenant: before all your people I will do wonders such as have not been created in all the earth and among all nations; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I am doing with you."
Exo.34.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,ptc,1,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- גרש: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- מפניך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2m
- את: PRT,acc
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והכנעני: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והפרזי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחוי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיבוסי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.23:27-28 (verbal): Same Exodus context promising God will drive out nations before Israel (mentions driving out by divine action and lists Canaanite-related groups).
- Deut.7:1 (verbal): Parallel command given before entering the land with a similar list of peoples to be dispossessed (Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, Jebusite/Canaanite).
- Deut.20:17 (verbal): Explicit injunction to destroy the same set of nations (Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites), repeating Exodus' dispossession language.
- Num.33:51-52 (thematic): Command to possess the land and drive out its inhabitants; echoes the theme of dispossession and inheritance found in Exod 34:11.
- Judg.3:1-2 (allusion): Shows a contrasting outcome: God left some of the Canaanite nations among Israel 'to test' them, alluding to the same list of peoples and the larger theme of Israel's incomplete dispossession.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Keep for yourself what I am commanding you today: see, I am driving out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite."
- "Keep what I am commanding you today. Look, I am about to drive out from before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Exo.34.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- השמר: VERB,hitpael,imperat,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- פן: CONJ
- תכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליושב: PREP+PART,qal,ptcp,3,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- פן: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למוקש: PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.23:32 (verbal): Directly parallel prohibition: “make no covenant with them” — same command forbidding treaties with the land’s inhabitants and their gods (near-verbal repetition).
- Deut.7:2 (verbal): Restates the ban on covenants with the Canaanite peoples and warns against mercy/intermarriage — legal reiteration of the Exodus injunction.
- Judg.2:2 (quotation): The angel’s charge to Israel echoes Exodus’ command not to make covenants or intermarry with the land’s peoples, linking covenant-making to apostasy.
- Josh.23:12-13 (thematic): Warns that if Israel clings to remaining nations they will be “snares and thorns,” echoing the consequence-language (snare) used in Exod 34:12 about covenants with inhabitants.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Take care for yourself, lest you cut a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst."
- Take care for yourself, lest you cut a covenant with the inhabitant of the land into which you are coming, lest it become a snare in your midst.
Exo.34.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבחתם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3mp
- תתצון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- מצבתם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3mp
- תשברון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואת: CONJ
- אשריו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3mp
- תכרתון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (verbal): Directly parallels the command to destroy pagan worship sites: 'break down their altars... and burn their Asherim with fire'—close verbal and legal correspondence to Exod 34:13.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (verbal): Commands Israel to 'break down their altars, smash their pillars, cut down their Asherim'—very similar language and intent to eliminate Canaanite cultic objects.
- Leviticus 26:30 (thematic): Promises that God will 'destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars' as judgment—shares the theme of removal/destruction of cultic sites and images.
- Judges 6:25-26 (thematic): Narrative example where Gideon is commanded to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah—illustrates the practical enforcement of the injunction in Exod 34:13.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (thematic): Describes Hezekiah removing high places, breaking pillars and cutting down Asherim—historical enactment of the same reformist/deiconizing policy reflected in Exod 34:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- "But their altars you shall tear down, their pillars you shall shatter, and their Asherah poles you shall cut down."
- Rather, their altars you shall tear down, their pillars you shall break, and their Asherah poles you shall cut down.
Exo.34.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשתחוה: VERB,hitpael,impf,2,ms
- לאל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחר: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קנא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- קנא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod 20:5 (quotation): Direct repetition of the divine self-description as a 'jealous God' in the Decalogue, linked to prohibition of worshiping other gods and punishment for idolatry.
- Deut 5:9 (verbal): Restates the second-commandment rationale with the same language ('for I the LORD your God am a jealous God'), echoing Exodus 34's warning against other gods.
- Deut 4:24 (verbal): Combines the imagery of God as a 'consuming fire' with the designation 'jealous God,' reinforcing the character and exclusive claims seen in Exod 34:14.
- Josh 24:19 (thematic): Joshua's admonition that the people cannot serve the LORD because 'he is a holy/jealous God' echoes the exclusivity and covenantal demand of Exodus 34:14.
- 1 Cor 10:22 (allusion): New Testament appeal to not 'provoke the Lord to jealousy' reflects early Christian appropriation of the OT theme of God's jealous exclusive claim on worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- "For you shall not bow down to another god, for the LORD—whose name is Jealous—is a jealous God."
- For you shall not bow down to another god, for the LORD—Jealous is his name—is a jealous God,
Exo.34.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- פן: CONJ
- תכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ליושב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וזנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- וזבחו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאלהיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- וקרא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ואכלת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מזבחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.7.2-4 (verbal): Directly echoes Exodus' prohibition against making covenants with the Canaanite inhabitants and the warning that such unions lead Israel to follow other gods (including the danger of intermarriage).
- Deut.12.30-31 (thematic): Warns Israel not to be ensnared into imitating Canaanite worship or sacrificing to their gods—parallels Exodus' concern that covenanting will lead to idolatrous participation in pagan sacrifices.
- Judg.2.2-3 (allusion): The angel's command not to make covenants with the inhabitants and the consequence that Israel will turn to other gods echoes Exodus' prohibition and its stated consequence of eating their sacrificial meat and joining in their worship.
- Josh.23.12-13 (thematic): Joshua warns that the nations remaining among Israel will be snares that draw the people after their gods—reiterating Exodus' causal link between close association with inhabitants and apostasy.
- Lev.18.3 (structural): Commands Israel not to follow the practices of the land's inhabitants; structurally parallels Exodus' prohibition against forming relationships that lead to adopting foreign religious practices.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Lest you cut a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they prostitute themselves after their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and one invites you and you eat of his sacrifice;"
- lest you cut a covenant with the inhabitant of the land, and they prostitute themselves after their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invite you, and you eat of his sacrifice;
Exo.34.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מבנתיו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,sg
- לבניך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2,m,sg
- וזנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- בנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהיהן: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,f,pl
- והזנו: VERB,hif,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהיהן: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,f,pl
Parallels
- Deut.7.3-4 (verbal): Explicitly forbids intermarriage with Canaanite nations because their daughters will turn your sons away to other gods — closely parallels the warning in Exod 34:16.
- Num.25.1-3 (structural): Narrative example where Israelite men consort with Moabite women who lead them to worship Baal‑Peor, illustrating the very danger described in Exod 34:16.
- Judg.2.11-13 (thematic): Reports Israel doing evil by serving Baal after marrying foreign women; thematically echoes the link between intermarriage and apostasy in Exod 34:16.
- 1 Kings 11.1-8 (thematic): Solomon’s foreign wives turn his heart to other gods, providing a royal example of the consequence warned against in Exod 34:16.
- Ezra 9.1-2 (thematic): Ezra’s complaint about Israelites marrying foreign women and adopting foreign practices reflects the post‑exilic concern underlying the prohibition in Exod 34:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- "and you take their daughters for your sons, and their daughters prostitute themselves after their gods and make your sons prostitute themselves after their gods."
- and you take their daughters for your sons, and their daughters prostitute themselves after their gods and make your sons prostitute themselves after their gods.
Exo.34.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מסכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.20:4 (verbal): The Decalogue prohibition against making a carved image or likeness parallels Exodus 34:17's ban on making 'molten' (metal) gods—same legal/idiomatic prohibition against idolatrous images.
- Deut.5:8 (verbal): Deuteronomy repeats the Decalogue command ('You shall not make for yourself a carved image'), reiterating the covenantal ban on images and echoing the language and intent of Exod.34:17.
- Deut.27:15 (verbal): This covenant curse pronounces doom on anyone who makes a carved or cast (molten) image—language that closely matches Exod.34:17's specific prohibition of 'molten' gods.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Psalmic polemic against idolatry—stone and metal idols made by human hands are powerless—echoes the theological motive behind Exod.34:17's ban on making molten gods.
Alternative generated candidates
- "You shall not make for yourself cast metal gods."
- You shall not make for yourself gods of cast metal.
Exo.34.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- את: PRT,acc
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- תשמר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתך: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- למועד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חדש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- האביב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האביב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יצאת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 12:17 (verbal): Directly repeats the command to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days and to remove leaven — same ritual prescription and duration.
- Leviticus 23:6-8 (verbal): Prescribes the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with the first and seventh days as holy convocations and the requirement to eat unleavened bread, paralleling the festival structure in Exod 34:18.
- Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (thematic): Reiterates observance in the month of Aviv (spring), linking the timing to Israel’s exodus and specifying the seven-day removal of leaven and pilgrimage/assembly obligations — a restatement of the Exodus rationale and timing.
- Exodus 13:3-7 (thematic): Frames the festival as a memorial of the exodus ('because in this month you went out of Egypt'), commands removal of leaven, and designates the week of unleavened bread — closely connected theological rationale and ritual detail to Exod 34:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- "You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Aviv; for in the month of Aviv you came out of Egypt."
- The Feast of Unleavened Bread you shall keep; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt.
Exo.34.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מקנך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+prs2m
- תזכר: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms,sg
- פטר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 13:2 (verbal): Same formula that the firstborn belong to the LORD — a direct, verbal parallel claiming the firstborn (of the womb) are God's.
- Exodus 13:12–15 (thematic): Gives the law about consecrating or redeeming the firstborn of animals and sons and links the practice to the Exodus — same legal tradition about firstborn ownership and redemption.
- Numbers 3:12–13 (thematic): God appoints the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, treating the firstborn as belonging to the LORD and substituting a priestly tribe — a related institutionalization of firstborn consecration.
- Numbers 18:15–16 (verbal): Prescribes redemption and valuation for the firstborn of man and beast, echoing the concern with firstborn ownership and the practical rules for their redemption.
- Deuteronomy 15:19 (thematic): Commands that the firstborn of herd and flock be consecrated to the LORD (no work to be done with them) — another restatement of the rule that firstborn animals belong to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- "All that opens the womb is mine, and every male of your livestock, the firstborn of ox and sheep."
- Every first to open the womb is mine, and every male among your livestock, the firstborn of ox and sheep.
Exo.34.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ופטר: CONJ
- חמור: PNOUN,m,sg
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וערפתו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- בכור: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+POSS,2,m,sg
- תפדה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ריקם: ADV
Parallels
- Exodus 13:13 (verbal): Repeats the same legal rule and wording: redeeming a firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if not redeemed, breaking its neck — nearly identical legal formula.
- Exodus 13:2 (thematic): Establishes the broader principle that every firstborn (of man and beast) is consecrated to the Lord, the theological basis for the redemption rules in Exod.34:20.
- Numbers 18:15-16 (thematic): Prescribes redemption of all firstborn of humans and unclean animals and specifies the redemption procedure/price — a parallel legal regulation to the command in Exod.34:20.
- Numbers 3:40-51 (thematic): Describes the substitution of the Levites for the firstborn and the redemption process (including valuation and payment), providing the communal and cultic context for redeeming firstborns mentioned in Exod.34:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- "And the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed."
- And the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And no one shall appear before me empty-handed.
Exo.34.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ששת: NUM,card,pl,cons
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תעבד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- וביום: CONJ+PREP
- השביעי: ADJ,m,sg,def,ord
- תשבת: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,sg
- בחריש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובקציר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשבת: VERB,qal,imprf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 20:9-11 (verbal): Same basic Sabbath formula — six days of work and a seventh-day rest — tied to God’s six-day creation pattern, echoing the wording and rationale.
- Deuteronomy 5:13-14 (verbal): Repetition of the Sabbath command to work six days and rest on the seventh, with parallel concern for rest extending to servants, animals, and sojourners.
- Exodus 16:23-30 (verbal): Wilderness practice of gathering manna six days with rest on the seventh (a double portion on the sixth day), reinforcing the weekly rhythm of work and Sabbath rest.
- Genesis 2:2-3 (structural): The foundational Sabbath tradition: God rests on the seventh day after creation — the theological basis for Israel’s command to cease work on the seventh day.
- Matthew 12:1-8 (thematic): Jesus’ Sabbath-era dispute (disciples plucking grain in harvest) engages the proper meaning and limits of Sabbath rest, relevant to Exodus 34:21’s restriction even during plowing and harvest.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Six days you shall work, and on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest."
- Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing and in harvest you shall rest.
Exo.34.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וחג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- בכורי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- קציר: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- חטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וחג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האסיף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תקופת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- השנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Leviticus 23:15-21 (verbal): Sets out the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) and the offering of the firstfruits of the wheat harvest — same festival and ritual firstfruits language as Exod 34:22.
- Exodus 23:16 (verbal): Earlier mention in the Sinai-law context of the Feast of Harvest (Feast of Ingathering) and the Feast of Weeks — a near‑parallel formulation within Exodus.
- Deuteronomy 16:9-12 (thematic): Prescribes the counting to Shavuot, the celebration at the time of the harvest, and communal rejoicing with firstfruits — develops the social and liturgical aspects implicit in Exod 34:22.
- Numbers 28:26-31 (verbal): Gives the sacrificial prescriptions for the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) — parallels Exod 34:22’s identification of the festival by connecting it to specific cultic offerings.
Alternative generated candidates
- "And the Feast of Weeks you shall make for yourself, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year."
- And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.
Exo.34.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- כל: DET
- זכורך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- האדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.23:17 (verbal): Repeats the same festival-pilgrimage command: 'Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the LORD.' Closely parallel wording in the earlier covenant law.
- Deut.16:16 (verbal): Deuteronomic restatement of the requirement: 'Three times a year all your men shall appear before the LORD your God,' specifying the three pilgrimage feasts (Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot).
- Deut.31:11 (thematic): Speaks of 'all Israel coming to appear before the LORD your God at the place He will choose' to hear the law — links the pilgrimage-assembly motif to corporate worship and instruction.
- Ps.122:4 (thematic): Describes the tribes going up to Jerusalem ('thither the tribes go up'), thematically paralleling the pilgrim movement of Israel to the LORD's chosen place for worship and communal devotion.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord, the LORD, the God of Israel."
- Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord, the LORD, the God of Israel.
Exo.34.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אוריש: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מפניך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2m
- והרחבתי: VERB,hif,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- גבולך: NOUN,m,sg,suff,2,m
- ולא: CONJ
- יחמד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m
- בעלתך: NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.34.23 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same passage: the requirement that all Israel appear before Yahweh three times a year is stated in the preceding verse and forms the immediate context for 34:24.
- Exod.23.17 (verbal): An earlier statement of the same law—three times a year all your men shall appear before the LORD—verbal repetition of the pilgrimage obligation.
- Deut.16.16 (thematic): Deuteronomy's restatement of the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, Booths) requiring appearance before God; codifies the same obligation found in Exodus 34:24.
- Josh.1.3-4 (thematic): Promise to Joshua that every place the sole of your foot treads will be given to Israel; parallels Exodus 34:24's promise to drive out nations and enlarge Israel's borders.
- Deut.11.24 (thematic): Deuteronomic promise that every place where the sole of your foot treads shall be yours—echoes Exodus 34:24's assurance that God will dispossess nations and expand Israel's territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- "For I will dispossess nations before you and enlarge your border; and no one shall covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year."
- For I will dispossess nations before you and enlarge your border, and no one shall covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
Exo.34.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשחט: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חמץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבחי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s
- ולא: CONJ
- ילין: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבקר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפסח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exod.23:18 (verbal): Near-duplicate command in Exodus: forbids offering the blood of sacrifices with leaven and forbids the Passover sacrifice remaining until morning — essentially the same wording as Exod 34:25.
- Exod.12:10 (verbal): Instruction for the original Passover lamb: none of it is to remain until morning — same prohibition about leaving the Passover sacrifice until morning.
- Num.9:12 (verbal): Repeats the rule for observing Passover in the wilderness: the Passover lamb shall not be left until morning, echoing the Exodus prohibition.
- Deut.16:4 (verbal): Deuteronomistic restatement of Passover law: the Passover sacrifice must not be left until morning (and no bone broken), paralleling Exodus' prohibition.
- Lev.2:11 (thematic): General cultic rule prohibiting leaven in grain offerings: no grain offering presented to the LORD shall be made with leaven — connects with Exodus' prohibition against offering sacrificial blood with leaven.
Alternative generated candidates
- "You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, and the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover shall not remain overnight until morning."
- You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, and the sacrifice of the Feast of Passover shall not remain until morning.
Exo.34.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ראשית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בכורי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדמתך: NOUN,f,sg,suff,2ms
- תביא: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- לא: PART_NEG
- תבשל: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- גדי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בחלב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 23:19 (verbal): Contains the same twofold instruction — bring the best of the firstfruits to the house of the LORD and the identical prohibition not to boil a young goat in its mother's milk (near-verbatim parallel within Exodus).
- Deuteronomy 14:21 (verbal): Repeats the dietary prohibition "You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk" in the Deuteronomic code, preserving the same legal rule in a different corpus.
- Deuteronomy 26:1–11 (structural): Gives the Deuteronomic procedure for bringing the firstfruits to the sanctuary (presentation to the priest and the accompanying confession), expanding on the firstfruits obligation mentioned in Exodus 34:26.
- Leviticus 23:10 (thematic): Mandates bringing the sheaf of the firstfruits to the priest at the Festival of Weeks — thematically connected to the obligation in Exodus to present the firstfruits to the LORD's house.
Alternative generated candidates
- "The first of the firstfruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk."
- The first of the firstfruits of your soil you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk."
Exo.34.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כתב: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- כי: CONJ
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- כרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.24:4-8 (verbal): Moses "wrote down all the words of the LORD" and read the book of the covenant; the people ratified the covenant—directly parallels the command to write these words because the covenant is based on them.
- Deut.31:9,24-26 (structural): Moses wrote down the law and instructed the Levites to place the book beside the ark—parallels the institutional practice of writing and preserving covenantal words.
- Josh.24:25-27 (structural): Joshua "wrote these words" and set them down as a witness when renewing the covenant—parallel instance of recording covenant terms and publicly sealing the covenant.
- Gen.9:9-11 (thematic): God declares He will establish (make) a covenant with Noah and his descendants—shares the divine covenant-formula and the theme of God initiating a binding covenant.
- Gen.17:7 (thematic): God promises, "I will establish my covenant...an everlasting covenant," echoing the language and enduring character of the covenant God declares he has made with Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Write for yourself these words, for according to these words I have cut with you a covenant and with Israel."
- And the LORD said to Moses, "Write for yourself these words, for according to these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."
Exo.34.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ארבעים: NUM,m,pl
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וארבעים: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ומים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- שתה: VERB,qal,impv,2,sg
- ויכתב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הלחת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Exod.24:18 (verbal): Moses on Sinai 'forty days and forty nights' — directly parallels the duration Moses stays with the LORD.
- Deut.9:9 (verbal): Moses' retrospective account: he lay before the LORD forty days and nights and 'neither ate bread nor drank water,' echoing the same fast.
- Deut.10:10 (structural): A second Deuteronomic recounting of Moses' forty-day fast on the mountain and the writing/renewal of the tablets, paralleling Exodus' sequence of fasting and tablet-writing.
- Matt.4:2 (thematic): Jesus' forty-day fast in the wilderness alludes to Israelite/prophetic 40-day motifs (notably Moses on Sinai), presenting a typological parallel.
- Exod.31:18 (allusion): Earlier Exodus account attributes the writing of the stone tablets to God's 'finger'; Exod.34:28 links Moses with writing the covenant words on the tablets, creating a textual tension/connection about authorship of the tablets.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread and he did not drink water; and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Words.
- And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; bread he did not eat, and water he did not drink. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Words.
And the LORD said to Moses, 'Carve for yourself two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.' And be ready in the morning, and go up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and stand for me there on the top of the mountain. And no man shall go up with you, and also let no one be seen on all the mountain; even the flocks and the cattle shall not graze in front of that mountain. And he carved two tablets of stone like the first ones, and Moses rose early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and he took in his hand the two tablets of stone. And the LORD came down in a cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness;'
'keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet he will by no means clear, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon children and upon children's children, to the third and to the fourth.' And Moses hurried and bowed to the ground and worshiped. And he said, 'If now I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, please let my Lord go in our midst—for it is a stiff-necked people—and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.' And he said, 'Behold, I am making a covenant; before all your people I will do wonders that have not been done in all the earth or among all the nations; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I am about to do with you.'
Keep what I am commanding you today: behold, I am about to drive out from before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
Take care for yourself lest you make a covenant with the inhabitant of the land to which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst.
Rather, you shall tear down their altars, and you shall shatter their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles.
For you shall not bow down to another god, for the LORD—Jealous is his name—is a jealous God.
Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitant of the land, and they prostitute themselves after their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and one of them calls to you and you eat of his sacrifice,
and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters prostitute themselves after their gods and make your sons prostitute themselves after their gods.
You shall not make for yourself gods of cast metal.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread you shall keep. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in the month of Abib you came out from Egypt.
All that opens the womb is mine, and of all your livestock, the male firstborn of ox and sheep. And the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem; and they shall not appear before me empty-handed.
Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing and in harvest you shall rest. And the Feast of Weeks you shall observe for yourself, the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turning of the year.
Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the face of the Lord, the LORD, the God of Israel.
For I will dispossess nations before you and enlarge your border, and no one shall covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.
You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, and the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover shall not stay overnight until morning.
The first of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk. And the LORD said to Moses, 'Write for yourself these words, for according to these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.' And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; bread he did not eat and water he did not drink. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Words.