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Deuteronomy 10

ScriptureDepth's study of Deuteronomy 10

“Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”

Deuteronomy 10:12

Moses speaks to the Israelites, clarifying what Yahweh requires of them: to fear, love, and serve Yahweh with all their heart and soul.

What Deuteronomy 10 is about

Yahweh commands Moses to cut two stone tablets, similar to the first, and to create an ark of wood to hold them (vv. 1-2). Moses obeys, crafting the ark and bringing the new tablets to the mountain where Yahweh writes the Ten Commandments once more (vv. 3-5). The Israelites travel from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron dies and is succeeded by Eleazar (vv. 6-7). Yahweh sets apart the tribe of Levi for special service, stating they shall have no inheritance among their brothers (vv. 8-9). Moses recalls his intercession on behalf of the people, noting that Yahweh listened to him (vv. 10-11). He then outlines what Yahweh requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and keep His commandments for their good (vv. 12-13). Yahweh delights in Israel and calls for heart obedience, urging them to love the foreigner (vv. 16-19). Finally, Moses proclaims Yahweh as their God, deserving their praise for His mighty acts (vv. 20-22).

Yahweh calls Israel to fear and serve Him, reminding them of His greatness and their history.

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Deuteronomy 10 at a glance

  1. Deuteronomy 10:1–5New Tablets and the Ark
  2. Deuteronomy 10:6–9Levi's Unique Role
  3. Deuteronomy 10:10–11Moses' Intercession
  4. Deuteronomy 10:12–15Requirements of God
  5. Deuteronomy 10:16–19Heart Obedience
  6. Deuteronomy 10:20–22Praise and Remembrance

Key verse: Deuteronomy 10:12

One thing to notice

Moses is commanded to make new tablets in vv. 1-2. God writes the commandments on these tablets in v. 4, and this act shows a continuity of God’s covenant with Israel despite their previous failures. The focus is on God’s initiative and guidance.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read Deuteronomy 10 (WEB)

New Tablets and the Ark Deuteronomy 10:1–5

Verse 1. At that time Yahweh said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood. Verse 2. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.” Verse 3. So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand. Verse 4. He wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Yahweh spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly: and Yahweh gave them to me.

Verse 5. I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Yahweh commanded me.

Levi's Unique Role Deuteronomy 10:6–9

Verse 6. (The children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his place. Verse 7. From there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water. Verse 8. At that time Yahweh set apart the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to stand before Yahweh to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day. Verse 9. Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, according as Yahweh your God spoke to him.)

Moses' Intercession Deuteronomy 10:10–11

Verse 10. I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights: and Yahweh listened to me that time also; Yahweh would not destroy you. Verse 11. Yahweh said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”

Requirements of God Deuteronomy 10:12–15

Verse 12. Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Verse 13. to keep Yahweh’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good? Verse 14. Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein. Verse 15. Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.

Heart Obedience Deuteronomy 10:16–19

Verse 16. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked. Verse 17. For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward. Verse 18. He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. Verse 19. Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

Praise and Remembrance Deuteronomy 10:20–22

Verse 20. You shall fear Yahweh your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name. Verse 21. He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen. Verse 22. Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in Deuteronomy 10

Covenant Relationship

In verses 15 and 21, the chapter details Yahweh's choice of Israel as his special people, stating that 'Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them'. This covenant relationship is rooted in God's love and faithfulness, as seen in the promise to their ancestors. The chapter moves forward by reaffirming this unique bond, urging Israel to respond in faithfulness and devotion.

Grace and Forgiveness

Verses 1-5 recount how Yahweh commanded Moses to remake the stone tablets after the first ones were broken. This act of providing new tablets signifies divine grace, as Yahweh chooses to renew the covenant with the people after their disobedience. Moses' intercession in verse 10 shows that Yahweh listened and spared them, illustrating the theme of grace and forgiveness through Yahweh's actions.

Obedience to God's Commands

In vv. 12-13, the chapter outlines what Yahweh requires of Israel: 'to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him'. The commands emphasize a holistic approach to obedience, involving heart and soul. This section is crucial as it transitions into practical implications of following God's statutes, laying out the expectations for the covenant community.

Social Justice and Care for the Vulnerable

Verses 18-19 focus on God's justice, stating that he 'does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner'. The text calls the Israelites to 'love the foreigner', recalling their own experience as 'foreigners in the land of Egypt'. This command urges them to practice compassion and care for those who are marginalized within their community.

Chapter outline

How Deuteronomy 10 unfolds

  1. Deuteronomy 10:1–5 New Tablets and the Ark

    Yahweh commands Moses to 'cut two stone tablets like the first' and prepares an ark to house them, as Moses is instructed to retrieve the commandments he broke (vv. 1-2).

  2. Deuteronomy 10:6–9 Levi's Unique Role

    The Israelites journey from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah, where Aaron dies, and Eleazar becomes priest. Yahweh sets apart Levi to carry the ark and minister to Him (vv. 6-8).

  3. Deuteronomy 10:10–11 Moses' Intercession

    Moses recounts spending forty days and nights on the mountain as Yahweh listened to his intercession for the people, allowing them to continue their journey (v. 10).

  4. Deuteronomy 10:12–15 Requirements of God

    Moses asks Israel what Yahweh requires: to fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, and keep His commandments for their own good (vv. 12-13).

  5. Deuteronomy 10:16–19 Heart Obedience

    Moses commands Israel to 'circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart' and not be 'stiff-necked,' affirming Yahweh as the 'God of gods' who executes justice for the fatherless, widow, and foreigner, urging them to love the foreigner (vv. 16-19).

  6. Deuteronomy 10:20–22 Praise and Remembrance

    Moses instructs Israel to 'fear Yahweh' and serve Him, declaring that He is their praise and God, who performed great wonders, noting their ancestors entered Egypt with seventy and now they are as 'the stars of the sky for multitude' (vv. 20-22).

Key verses

  • Deuteronomy 10:12Moses speaks to the Israelites, clarifying what Yahweh requires of them: to fear, love, and serve Yahweh with all their heart and soul.

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Study questions

Questions for studying Deuteronomy 10

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, what does Yahweh instruct Moses to do with the stone tablets?
  2. observeWhat does Moses do with the tablets in v5 after coming down from the mountain?
  3. interpretThe phrase 'circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart' in v16: what does it suggest about Israel's spiritual condition?
  4. interpretIn v15, why does Moses emphasize that Yahweh chose Israel above all peoples?
  5. applyWhen have you felt called to 'love the foreigner' as mentioned in v19?

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Deuteronomy 10: frequently asked questions

What is Deuteronomy 10 about?+
Yahweh commands Moses to cut two stone tablets, similar to the first, and to create an ark of wood to hold them (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in Deuteronomy 10?+
Deuteronomy 10:12: “Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,”
What are the main themes of Deuteronomy 10?+
The main themes of Deuteronomy 10 are Covenant Relationship, Grace and Forgiveness, Obedience to God's Commands, Social Justice and Care for the Vulnerable.

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