Exodus 34:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses, "Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

NASB: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.'

CSB: The Lord also said to Moses, "Write down these words, for I have made a covenant with you and with Israel based on these words."

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.'

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

NKJV: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

Exodus 34:10–28 is God's renewed declaration of covenant laws for Israel. The Lord includes more details on specific aspects of the Law this time. This added detail is a direct response to Israel's recent sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). God especially emphasizes idolatry, consecration of the firstborn, and observing the Sabbath. Moses stays on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights hearing from the Lord.

Moses obeys God's command to bring new stone tablets (Exodus 32:19) onto Mount Sinai. There, God fulfills His earlier promise to reveal more of His glory to Moses (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord renews the covenant with Israel and gives additional details on subjects such as idolatry, the Sabbath, and certain festivals. When Moses returns, the people are intimidated by his now-shining face.

Israel quickly broke God's laws (Exodus 20:3–6) by committing idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). This caused a rift between them and God. One consequence was a removal of God's direct presence (Exodus 33:1–3). In this chapter, the covenant is renewed. The remaining chapters (Exodus 35—40) mirror the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31).

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.

Accessed 12/8/2025 10:47:07 AM