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Deuteronomy 10

22 verses

TL;DR

Moses renews the covenant by crafting new stone tablets and an Ark, records the journey of Israel with Aaron’s death and Eleazar’s succession, and exhorts the people to fear, love, and serve God while emphasizing the unique role of Levi and compassion for strangers.

Summary

In verses 1‑5 Moses receives a divine commission to hew new tablets of stone, mirroring the original covenant, and places them in an Ark of wood made from shittim. He recounts the journey of Israel from Beeroth to Mosera, noting Aaron’s burial and Eleazar’s assumption of the priesthood. The text continues with Israel’s travels to Gudgodah and Jotbath, a riverine land, and explains God’s separation of the tribe of Levi to bear the Ark and serve as priests, noting their lack of inheritance. Moses’ 40‑day stay in the mount echoes the first covenant encounter, and he orders Israel to take possession of the promised land. The passage concludes with exhortations: fear, walk, love, and serve God; the heavens, earth, and God’s greatness are praised; the heart is urged to be circumcised; God’s impartiality, justice, and love for strangers are highlighted, reminding Israel of their own past as foreigners in Egypt.

Outline
  1. 1. Renewal of covenant: new tablets and Ark (v.1‑5)
  2. 2. Journey and priestly succession: Aaron’s death, Eleazar’s role, and Levi’s special status (v.6‑9)
  3. 3. Exhortation to Israel: faith, love, service, and remembrance of God's character and past (v.10‑22)
Themes
Covenant renewalDivine authority and instructionCompassion and justice toward strangersThe role of the priesthood
Keywords
covenantArktabletsTen CommandmentsfearloveserveLeviAaronEleazarIsraelstrangerheart
People
MosesAaronEleazarLeviIsrael
Places
BeerothMoseraGudgodahJotbathMount
Things
Ark of woodStone tabletsTen CommandmentsLevi’s inheritanceCovenant of the LORD
Key Verses
  • Deuteronomy 10:1-5: Moses’ commission to renew the covenant by crafting new tablets and an Ark
  • Deuteronomy 10:12-13: God’s core commandments to Israel—fear, love, and serve
  • Deuteronomy 10:17-18: Description of God’s nature and justice
  • Deuteronomy 10:19-20: Mandate to love strangers, recalling Israel’s own past
  • Deuteronomy 10:8-9: Levi’s unique role and inheritance status
Questions
  • Why did Moses create new tablets instead of reusing the original ones?
  • What is the significance of Levi’s separation and lack of inheritance?
  • How does the instruction to 'circumcise the heart' relate to the covenant?
  • In what ways does the text connect Israel’s past in Egypt to its present duties?
  • How does the portrayal of God’s impartiality shape Israel’s moral obligations?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage combines reverent praise with directive instruction, reflecting both admiration for God and the weight of obedience.