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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 32:16 The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/32-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_32_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 32:16 - Moses Descends with the Tablets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/32.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />These tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/32.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/32.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the tables <i>were</i> the work of God, and the writing <i>was</i> the writing of God, graven upon the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/32.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the tablets <i>were</i> the work of God, and the writing <i>was</i> the writing of God engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/32.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The tablets were God&#8217s work, and the writing was God&#8217s writing engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/32.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/32.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/32.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/32.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was God’s writing, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/32.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was God&#8217s writing, engraved on the tablets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/32.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/32.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/32.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was God's writing inscribed on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/32.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />God himself had made the tablets and had engraved the commandments on them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/32.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God and the writing was God's writing, inscribed on the tablets. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/32.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/32.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/32.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/32.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/32.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/32.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the tablets are the work of God, and the writing is the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/32.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the tables are the work of God, and the writing is the writing of God, graven on the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/32.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the tables they the work of God, and the writing the writing of God, it being cut in the tables.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/32.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And made by the work of God: the writing also of God was graven in the tables. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/32.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and accomplished by the work of God. Also, the writing of God was engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/32.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were made by God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/32.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/32.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/32.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Moshe turned and came down from the mountain and two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand, tablets that were inscribed from both their sides, from one and to the other they were written.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/32.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/32.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the tables were the work of God, and the writing the writing of God written on the tables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/32-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=8372" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/32.htm">Moses Descends with the Tablets</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>Then 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. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3871.htm" title="3871: wə·hal·lu·ḥōṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- A tablet, board or plank, a plate. Or luach; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet, of stone, wood or metal.">The tablets</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ma·‘ă·śêh (N-msc) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">were the work</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4385.htm" title="4385: wə·ham·miḵ·tāḇ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Writing. From kathab; a thing written, the characters, or a document.">and the writing</a> <a href="/hebrew/4385.htm" title="4385: miḵ·taḇ (N-msc) -- Writing. From kathab; a thing written, the characters, or a document.">was the writing</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2801.htm" title="2801: ḥā·rūṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To grave, engrave. A primitive root; to engrave.">engraved</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/3871.htm" title="3871: hal·lu·ḥōṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- A tablet, board or plank, a plate. Or luach; from a primitive root; probably meaning to glisten; a tablet, of stone, wood or metal.">the tablets.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/9-10.htm">Deuteronomy 9:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-4.htm">Deuteronomy 10:4</a></span><br />And the LORD wrote on the tablets what had been written previously, the Ten Commandments that He had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly. The LORD gave them to me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-3.htm">2 Corinthians 3:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-10.htm">Hebrews 8:10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a></span><br />And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a></span><br />containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-9.htm">2 Corinthians 3:9</a></span><br />For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-11.htm">2 Corinthians 3:11</a></span><br />For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-13.htm">2 Corinthians 3:13</a></span><br />We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-14.htm">2 Corinthians 3:14</a></span><br />But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-15.htm">2 Corinthians 3:15</a></span><br />And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-16.htm">2 Corinthians 3:16</a></span><br />But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17</a></span><br />Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven on the tables.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a></b></br> And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Exodus 34:1,4</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon <i>these</i> tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/9-9.htm">Deuteronomy 9:9-11,15</a></b></br> When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, <i>even</i> the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/31-14.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/exodus/28-21.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">Engraven</a> <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">God's</a> <a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Tablets</a> <a href="/exodus/31-17.htm">Work</a> <a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/exodus/39-6.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-1.htm">Engraven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">God's</a> <a href="/exodus/39-6.htm">Graven</a> <a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Tables</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Tablets</a> <a href="/exodus/34-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/exodus/34-27.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 32</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-1.htm">The people in the absence of Moses, caused Aaron to make a calf</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-7.htm">God informs Moses, who intercedes for Israel, and prevails</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-15.htm">Moses comes down with the tablets</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">He breaks them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">He destroys the calf</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Aaron's excuse for himself</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Moses causes the idolaters to be slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/32-30.htm">He prays for the people</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the context of the Exodus narrative, this highlights the direct involvement of God in establishing His covenant with Israel. The tablets, containing the Ten Commandments, symbolize God's law and His authority. This divine authorship sets the tablets apart from other ancient legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi, which were humanly devised. The notion of God directly crafting the tablets also prefigures the New Covenant, where God's law is written on the hearts of believers (<a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>).<p><b>and the writing was the writing of God</b><br>This phrase further emphasizes the divine nature of the commandments. The writing being God's own signifies the perfection and holiness of the law. It reflects the idea that God's word is eternal and unchanging, as seen in <a href="/psalms/119-89.htm">Psalm 119:89</a>, "Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." The divine writing also points to the authority and authenticity of the commandments, which were meant to guide the moral and spiritual life of the Israelites. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>), embodying the perfect revelation of God.<p><b>engraved on the tablets</b><br>The engraving signifies permanence and durability, indicating that God's law is meant to be lasting and unalterable. In ancient times, engraving on stone was a common method for preserving important texts, suggesting the enduring significance of the commandments. This permanence is echoed in the New Testament, where Paul speaks of believers as "letters from Christ...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-3.htm">2 Corinthians 3:3</a>). The engraving also connects to the idea of God's law being internalized by His people, a theme that runs throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to receive the Law on Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, a place of divine revelation and covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tablets.htm">The Tablets</a></b><br>Stone tablets inscribed by God Himself, containing the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine author of the Law, who directly inscribed His commandments on the tablets, signifying His authority and holiness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, who were waiting at the base of Mount Sinai while Moses received the Law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_authority.htm">Divine Authority</a></b><br>The fact that the tablets were the work of God underscores the divine authority and perfection of His Law. As believers, we are called to respect and adhere to God's commandments as the ultimate standard for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_direct_involvement.htm">God's Direct Involvement</a></b><br>God's personal inscription of the Law signifies His direct involvement in the lives of His people. We can take comfort in knowing that God is actively engaged in guiding and shaping our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_permanence_of_god's_word.htm">The Permanence of God's Word</a></b><br>The engraving on stone tablets symbolizes the enduring nature of God's Word. In a world of shifting values, we are reminded to hold fast to the unchanging truth of Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_covenant_relationship.htm">The Covenant Relationship</a></b><br>The giving of the Law was part of God's covenant with Israel. As Christians, we are part of a new covenant through Christ, called to live in a relationship with God that reflects His holiness and love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/internalization_of_god's_law.htm">Internalization of God's Law</a></b><br>While the Law was originally given on stone, the New Testament teaches that God's laws are now written on our hearts. We are encouraged to internalize God's Word and let it transform our lives from the inside out.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_32.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 32</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_you_find_peace_and_remain_still.htm">What did the Ark of the Covenant contain?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god_a_moral_monster_in_scripture.htm">Is God depicted as a moral monster in scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_exodus_34_and_20_differ.htm">(Exodus 34:1) Why does this second set of commandments differ from those in Exodus 20, and which version should be considered authoritative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_jacob,_also_known_as_israel.htm">Who is Jacob, also known as Israel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/32.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">The tables were the work of God.</span>--Rosenmller 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 (<a href="/exodus/34-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Hew you two tables of stone like to the first: and I will write on these tables the words that were in the first tables, which you brake.">Exodus 34:1</a>; <a href="/exodus/34-4.htm" title="And he hewed two tables of stone like to the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up to mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.">Exodus 34:4</a>).<p><span class= "bld">The writing was the writing of God.</span>--See Note 3 on <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm" title="And he gave to Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him on mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.">Exodus 31:18</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/32.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The tables were the work of God</span>. Shaped, <span class="accented">i.e.</span>, by the same power by which the commandments were inscribed upon them; not, necessarily, of matter newly created for the purpose. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/32-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The tablets</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַ֨לֻּחֹ֔ת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hal·lu·ḥōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3871.htm">Strong's 3871: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glisten, a tablet, of stone, wood, metal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were the work</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ma·‘ă·śêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> </span><span class="str2">An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the writing</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמִּכְתָּ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·miḵ·tāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4385.htm">Strong's 4385: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thing written, the characters, a document</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[was] the writing</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכְתַּ֤ב</span> <span class="translit">(miḵ·taḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4385.htm">Strong's 4385: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thing written, the characters, a document</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">engraved</span><br /><span class="heb">חָר֖וּת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·rūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2801.htm">Strong's 2801: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, engrave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the tablets.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלֻּחֹֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(hal·lu·ḥōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3871.htm">Strong's 3871: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glisten, a tablet, of stone, wood, metal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/32-16.htm">Exodus 32:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/32-16.htm">OT Law: Exodus 32:16 The tablets were the work of God (Exo. 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