And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.

EXODUS 34:1KJV
Know the Bible

Exodus 34:1 (KJV)

What does Exodus 34:1 mean?

Exodus 34:1 describes God telling Moses to carve out two new stone tablets, like the first ones Moses broke, so that God can write the same words on them again. This verse shows God’s willingness to restore what was lost after Moses shattered the original tablets.

In this scene, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf. God instructs Moses to prepare new stone tablets, promising to rewrite the commandments that were on the first set. The verse highlights both the seriousness of breaking the first tablets and God’s intention to renew His covenant with the people.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 34:1

  • "Hew" (פָּסַל, pasal): This word means to carve or cut out, emphasizing that Moses himself must physically prepare the new tablets, showing his active role in restoring the covenant.
  • "Tables" (לוּחַ, luach): This refers to flat stone slabs, not just any stones, but specially shaped for writing, underlining the importance and formality of the commandments.
  • "Brakest" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This means to break or shatter, directly pointing to Moses’ earlier act of breaking the first tablets in response to Israel’s unfaithfulness.

Why Exodus 34:1 matters

  • Exodus 34:1 clarifies that the commandments given by God are not changed or replaced, but restored exactly as before, stressing the unchanging nature of God’s instructions.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of Israel’s earlier failure and the possibility of renewal, connecting to the wider theme of forgiveness and restoration in the book of Exodus.
  • By instructing Moses to carve the tablets himself, the verse emphasizes human responsibility in responding to God’s commands and participating in the process of reconciliation.

Where else these words appear

“Hew” Hebrew H6458 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 34:4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.
  • Deuteronomy 10:1 At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
  • 1 Kings 5:18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

“tables” Hebrew H3871 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 24:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
  • Deuteronomy 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
  • Deuteronomy 10:5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

“brakest” Hebrew H7665 · used in 145 verses

  • Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
  • Psalms 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
  • Jeremiah 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: