Exodus 32:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.

NIV: Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.

NASB: Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other.

CSB: Then Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides—inscribed front and back.

NLT: Then Moses turned and went down the mountain. He held in his hands the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.

KJV: And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

NKJV: And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand. The tablets were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written.

Among the more famous images associated with the Bible is that of Moses carrying two stone tablets from Mount Sinai. The event has been depicted in many works of art as well as popular culture and media. On these tablets are the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 4:13).

This verse only depicts the first time Moses brought stone tablets from the mountain top (Exodus 34:29; Deuteronomy 10:4). While Moses was away (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites broke at least one of those first ten rules (Exodus 20:3–6). They made an idol and offered sacrifices in front of it (Exodus 32:1–6). Moses has been told what the Israelites did (Exodus 32:7), and when he sees it himself, in anger he will smash these first tablets on the ground (Exodus 32:19).

These tablets were probably not the gigantic slabs often depicted in art or movies. They were to be placed in the ark (Exodus 25:16), which was a large chest (Exodus 25:10). But stone blocks sized to the ark's dimensions would be half as tall and possibly twice the mass of an adult. More likely, there were no bigger than an oversized book, and probably smaller. Scripture gives no details about their size.

Nor does the Bible explain the tablets' exact shape. The traditional image of these tablets is rectangles with rounded tops. Jewish tradition suggested the tablets were large bricks 20 inches square, or 50 centimeters on a side, and 10 inches, or 25 centimeters thick. These would have been even heavier than the ark-sized slabs. The Bible does not record the tablets' exact size, shape, or the type of rock from which they were made.

Exodus 32:15–24 reports Moses' confrontation with Israel over their recent idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). His assistant, Joshua, hears the noises in camp as they approach. When Moses sees the extent of the people's sin, he smashes the engraved stone tablets which God gave Him (Exodus 24:12). Moses has the golden idol disintegrated. Aaron tries to avoid blame, claiming that the people made him do it, and that the calf idol simply appeared.

During Moses' long absence (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites lose patience. They demand that Aaron (Exodus 24:14) make them a god they can see. Aaron makes a gold idol from donated jewelry and the people worship it as God. On the mountain, God is furious and sends Moses back. Moses arrives, breaks the stone tablets of God's law which he carried, and destroys the idol. Moses then calls on loyal men to execute those responsible. Aaron is spared, but Israel can anticipate more punishment.

Moses went onto Sinai to communicate with the Lord (Exodus 24:12) and has been gone a long time (Exodus 24:18). He is receiving instructions from God (Exodus 25—31). Meanwhile, Israel falls into idolatry. They break the first two commandments just given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3–6). After delivering initial consequences, God commands Israel to move along and discusses how He will renew His covenant (Exodus 33—34).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.