Exodus 32:16
Exodus 32:16 in Multiple Translations
The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
The stones were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, cut on the stones.
God had made the tablets, and God had engraved the writing himself.
And these Tables were the worke of God, and this writing was the writing of God grauen in the Tables.
and the tables are the work of God, and the writing is the writing of God, graven on the tables.
The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
And made by the work of God: the writing also of God was graven in the tables.
God himself had made the slabs, and he was the one who had engraved the commandments on them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 32:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 32:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הַ֨/לֻּחֹ֔ת
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
הֵ֑מָּה
וְ/הַ/מִּכְתָּ֗ב
מִכְתַּ֤ב
אֱלֹהִים֙
ה֔וּא
חָר֖וּת
עַל
הַ/לֻּחֹֽת
וְ/הַ֨/לֻּחֹ֔ת
lûwach
H3871
tablet
Conj | Art | N-mp
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
maʻăseh
H4639
deed
N-ms
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
הֵ֑מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
וְ/הַ/מִּכְתָּ֗ב
miktâb
H4385
writing
Conj | Art | N-ms
מִכְתַּ֤ב
miktâb
H4385
writing
N-ms
אֱלֹהִים֙
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
ה֔וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
חָר֖וּת
chârath
H2801
to engrave
V-Qal-Inf-c
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/לֻּחֹֽת
lûwach
H3871
tablet
Art | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 32:16
וְ/הַ֨/לֻּחֹ֔ת
lûwach
H3871
"tablet"
Conj | Art | N-mp
This word refers to a polished tablet, possibly made of stone, wood, or metal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tablets of stone given to Moses, and is translated as board, plate, or table in the KJV.
Definition: 1) board, slab, tablet, plank 1a) tablets (of stone) 1b) boards (of wood) 1c) plate (of metal)
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: board, plate, table. See also: Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 9:15; Proverbs 3:3.
מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה
maʻăseh
H4639
"deed"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
הֵ֑מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
וְ/הַ/מִּכְתָּ֗ב
miktâb
H4385
"writing"
Conj | Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to something written, like a letter or poem. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, often describing God's written word. This word is about written things.
Definition: 1) writing, thing written 1a) handwriting 1b) thing written 1c) writing
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: writing. See also: Exodus 32:16; 2 Chronicles 35:4; Isaiah 38:9.
מִכְתַּ֤ב
miktâb
H4385
"writing"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to something written, like a letter or poem. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, often describing God's written word. This word is about written things.
Definition: 1) writing, thing written 1a) handwriting 1b) thing written 1c) writing
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: writing. See also: Exodus 32:16; 2 Chronicles 35:4; Isaiah 38:9.
אֱלֹהִים֙
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
ה֔וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
חָר֖וּת
chârath
H2801
"to engrave"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To engrave means to carve or cut designs into something, like stone or wood. In the Bible, it is used to describe intricate carvings, as seen in Exodus.
Definition: (Qal) to engrave, graven
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: graven. See also: Exodus 32:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/לֻּחֹֽת
lûwach
H3871
"tablet"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a polished tablet, possibly made of stone, wood, or metal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tablets of stone given to Moses, and is translated as board, plate, or table in the KJV.
Definition: 1) board, slab, tablet, plank 1a) tablets (of stone) 1b) boards (of wood) 1c) plate (of metal)
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: board, plate, table. See also: Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 9:15; Proverbs 3:3.
Study Notes — Exodus 32:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 32:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
- Sermons on Exodus 32:16
Context — The Golden Calf
14So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.
15Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.
16The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
17When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.” 18But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 31:18 | When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. |
| 2 | Hebrews 8:10 | For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 10:1 | At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 9:15 | So I went back down the mountain while it was blazing with fire, with the two tablets of the covenant in my hands. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 9:9–11 | When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I ate no bread and drank no water. Then the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, inscribed by the finger of God with the exact words that the LORD spoke to you out of the fire on the mountain on the day of the assembly. And at the end of forty days and forty nights, the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 3:3 | It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. |
| 7 | Exodus 34:1 | Then the LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. |
| 8 | Exodus 34:4 | So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the originals. He rose early in the morning, and taking the two stone tablets in his hands, he went up Mount Sinai as the LORD had commanded him. |
| 9 | 2 Corinthians 3:7 | Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, |
Exodus 32:16 Summary
This verse, Exodus 32:16, tells us that the tablets with the Ten Commandments were made by God Himself, and the words on them were written by God. This shows us how important these commands are to God and how much He wants us to follow them, as also seen in Matthew 22:37-40 where Jesus teaches about the greatest commandments. It's like God is saying, 'These are my rules, and they are special because I made them.' Just like the tablets were engraved, God's laws are permanent and don't change, which reminds us of the importance of obeying them, as Psalm 119:11 encourages us to hide God's word in our hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the tablets were the work of God?
This means that God Himself created the physical tablets, emphasizing His direct involvement in the giving of the law, as seen in Exodus 32:16, and reinforced in Deuteronomy 9:10 where it says God wrote on them.
Why is it significant that the writing was the writing of God?
The writing being God's own emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the law, much like the testimony of Exodus 24:12 and the importance of God's word in Psalm 119:105.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Exodus?
This verse highlights God's direct involvement in the covenant process, contrasting with the idolatry of the golden calf in the following verses, like Exodus 32:17-18, and emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands as seen in Exodus 19:5.
What can we learn from the fact that the tablets were engraved?
The engraving on the tablets signifies the permanence and solidity of God's law, much like the promises of God in Isaiah 40:8 and the nature of God's word in Matthew 5:18, which endure forever.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I recognize and respect the divine authority of God's word in my life, based on Exodus 32:16?
- How does the knowledge that God's law is engraved, and thus permanent, affect my approach to obedience and discipleship?
- What are some ways I can practically apply the concept of God's direct involvement in my life, as seen in the creation of the tablets?
- In what ways can I, like Moses, carry the 'tablets' of God's word with me, and what does this mean for my daily life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 32:16
And the tables were the work of God,.... And not of angels or men; the stones were made and formed by God into the shape they were: and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables; the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 32:16
And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. The tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
Exodus 32:16 And the tables [were] the work of God, and the writing [was] the writing of God, graven upon the tables.Ver. 16. The work of God.] The greater was the people’ s loss, brought upon them by their sin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
(16) The tables were the work of God.—Rosenmüller supposes this to mean merely that the size and shape of the stones was prescribed to Moses by God; but the natural meaning of the words is that God Himself fashioned them. This was not the case with the second tables (Exodus 34:1; Exodus 34:4). The writing was the writing of God.—See Note 3 on Exodus 31:18.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
Verse 16. The tables were the work of God] Because such a law could proceed from none but himself; God alone is the fountain and author of LAW, of what is right, just, holy, and good. See the meaning of the word LAW, Exodus 12:49. See Clarke on Exodus 12:49. The writing was the writing of God] For as he is the sole author of law and justice, so he alone can write them on the heart of man. This is agreeable to the spirit of the new covenant which God had promised to make with men in the latter days: I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel - I will PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MINDS, AND WRITE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS, Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 2 Corinthians 3:3. That the writing of these tables was the writing of God, see proved at the conclusion of the last chapter.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 32:16
16. the work of God, &c.] See Exodus 24:12, Exodus 31:18 b.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 32:16
16. Work of God — They were miracles in stone, and so monumental witnesses of the supernatural origin of the commandments. See on Exodus 31:18.
Sermons on Exodus 32:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Books I Recommend With Comments - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life of John Wesley and his dedication to meeting with God every morning at 4 o'clock. The speaker recommends a book called "A Treasury of |
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A Missional Awakening by David Platt | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the language and emotions used in preaching the word of God. He shares a personal experience of a passionate lady who would grab his shirt a |
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Pray and Be Alone With God by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a Bible conference in the Andes Mountains where he brought a physician. Despite the lack of medicine and tools, the desperate peopl |
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Prophetic Reality Versus Fantasy by Art Katz | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the prevalence of fantasy and escapism in our culture, particularly in the entertainment industry. He highlights the example of a space-theme |
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Intimacy With God by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of living a sanctified life according to God's commandments. He highlights nine areas of sanctity that believers should strive |
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The Spirit of Service by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of devotion to God's purpose for his people. He emphasizes that serving God in the utmost way requires complete dedication and |
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K-485 Covenant Keeping (1 of 3) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker expresses his concern about the passive nature of the church and the lack of engagement from its members. He shares an example of a church that distribu |