Deuteronomy 10

Ten Commandments, the rewrite

Second version, same as first

1 After that, the LORD told me, “Chisel a pair of stone tablets like the two I gave you. Carry them up to the mountain. Bring a wooden box, too. 2 I’ll write on the new tablets the same words I wrote on the tablets you smashed to pieces.” 3 So, I got some acacia wood and made the box. Then I chiseled two stone tablets. I carried them up the mountain. 4 The LORD wrote on these tablets the same Ten Commandments he wrote before. These are the same laws you heard him speak to you from inside that fire on the mountain when everyone assembled in the fields below. Then he gave the stone tablets to me. 5 I put the tablets in the box and carried them back down the mountain. They’re still in the box today.[1]

Excerpt of Israel’s itinerary

6 The Israelites left their camp at the wells of the Jaakan [2]family. They went to Moseroth,[3] where Aaron died and was buried. Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took his place as high priest. 7 They left Moseroth and traveled to Gudgodah,[4] then on to Jotbathah, which had a lot of water and streams. 8 This is when the LORD honored the tribe of Levi with the job of carrying the Box of the Ten Commandments.[5] This became their responsibility. They would serve as the priests of Israel. And they would give God’s blessings to people in all the other tribes—as they still do today. 9 Levi’s tribe won’t inherit what the other tribes do. Instead, they’ll enjoy a unique relationship with the LORD, who will take care of them. The is what the LORD your God said.

40 more days, nights

10 Once again I stayed on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights—just like I did before. And again, the LORD did as I asked. He agreed not to kill you. 11 After that, the LORD told me, “Get up and get going. Take your position at the front of the people and lead them to the land I promised their ancestors.”

Here’s what God wants from you

12 So now, Israel, what does the LORD your God expect of you? Respect him. Follow where he leads you. Love him with everything you’ve got in you, heart and soul. 13 Obey the LORD’s laws and instructions, which I’m telling you about today. Do it for your own good. 14 Listen to me. Everything from earth to the highest heaven belongs to the LORD your God. It’s all his. 15 Yet he loved your ancestors. He chose them. And he chose you, too. He chose you over all the other people in the world today. 16 So stop acting stubborn. Cut it out. 17 The LORD God is the God of gods. He is the Lord of lords. He is the Great God and the Mighty One. He deserves your respect. He treats everyone fairly and won’t take bribes. 18 He brings justice to people often ignored: orphans, widows, and immigrants. He shows them love by giving them food and clothes. 19 So follow his example. Show love to the newcomers among you. There was a time when you were newcomers to Egypt. 20 Respect the LORD your God. Worship him. Stay close to him. Pledge your allegiance[6] to Him above anyone or anything else. 21 Whatever glory you may get belongs to God. He did the wonders that brought you here. You’ve seen them with your own eyes. 22 Seventy of your ancestors migrated to Egypt.[7] Now look at you. You fill the land like stars fill the sky. You have the LORD your God to thank.

Notes

Intro notes for Deuteronomy

110:5

In Hebrew it’s Beeroth Bene-jaakan: the “wells of sons of Jaakan.”

210:6

These verses from 10:7-9 read like an editor’s insertion of the itinerary from Numbers 33:30-38. But some of the names are different and Numbers has the Israelites going from Moseroth to the wells of Jaakan—reverse of what seems to be happening here. So, some scholars say the writer of the section here didn’t seem to point back to Numbers. None of the place names in this section seems known today.

310:7

One educated guess of the location is Wadi Hadahid, along the eastern shore of the Red Sea’s Gulf of Suez. It’s about 40 miles (64 km) west of Mount Sinai. That’s about a two-day walk.

410:8

Ark of the Covenant.

510:20

More literally, “Swear only by His name.” That might refer to making a promise, such as swearing an oath on the Bible. But some scholars say it more likely points back to the contract God made with the people at Mount Sinai. He would protect them and make them successful at what they did. In return, they would obey his orders.

610:22

Genesis 46:27.