Exodus 32:15 (KJV)

What does Exodus 32:15 mean?

Exodus 32:15 describes Moses turning and coming down from Mount Sinai, carrying two stone tablets in his hands. These tablets, called the "tables of the testimony," were written on both sides, front and back.

In this scene, Moses is descending after receiving the commandments from God. The verse highlights that the tablets were not blank or one-sided, but fully inscribed on both surfaces. This detail emphasizes the completeness and significance of the testimony Moses was bringing to the Israelites, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow when he sees the people's actions.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 32:15

• "tables" — לֻחֹת (luḥot): This word means "tablets" or "slabs," referring to the stone pieces Moses carried. The use of this word underlines their physical, tangible nature as objects meant to be seen and held.
• "testimony" — עֵדוּת (edut): This term means "testimony" or "witness." Here, it refers to the commandments as a witness of God's covenant with Israel, not just a set of rules but a formal, binding agreement.
• "written" — כָּתוּב (katav): The word for "written" is repeated, stressing that the tablets were thoroughly inscribed. The text notes they were written "on both their sides," which is unusual for ancient inscriptions and highlights the fullness of God's message.

Why Exodus 32:15 matters

• The verse clears up any idea that the tablets were only partially inscribed; both sides being written shows the thoroughness and importance of what Moses carried.
• By calling them "tables of the testimony," the verse connects these tablets directly to God's covenant, not just as laws but as a witness to the relationship between God and Israel.
• This detail prepares the reader for the seriousness of what is about to happen when Moses sees the Israelites' behavior, underscoring the weight of what is at stake.