The Bible — World English Bible
Deuteronomy 10
In brief
Deuteronomy 10 reminds Israel that God forgave them after the episode of the golden calf. Moses cuts new tablets, God writes the ten words on them again, and they are placed in the ark. The tribe of Levi is set apart to serve. Moses then sums up what God asks: to fear him, walk in his ways, love him and serve him with all the heart. He calls them to circumcise their hearts, reminds them that God upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow and loves the stranger, and that the people must do the same.
The chapter in 4 parts
1At that time Yahweh said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.”
3So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand.
4He wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which Yahweh spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly; and Yahweh gave them to me.
5I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Yahweh commanded me.
6(The children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his place.
7From there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water.
8At that time Yahweh set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, to stand before Yahweh to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
9Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; Yahweh is his inheritance, according as Yahweh your God spoke to him.)
10I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and Yahweh listened to me that time also. Yahweh would not destroy you.
11Yahweh said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”
12Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13to keep Yahweh’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?
14Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven, the heaven of heavens, and the earth, with all that is therein.
15Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
16Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes.
18He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.
19Therefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20You shall fear Yahweh your God. You shall serve him. You shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
21He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
22Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.
Key verses
Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul, to keep Yahweh’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?
Moses sums up what God asks in one sentence: to fear him, walk in his ways, love him and serve him with all the heart. Obedience is presented as a path for Israel's good.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
God asks them to circumcise the heart. The outward sign is not enough: what is expected is an inner attitude of humility and teachability.
He executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
God upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger. Israel must imitate him, because they were themselves strangers in Egypt.
He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
Moses concludes by recalling that God is Israel's praise, the one who did these great things. The people's loyalty rests on what they have seen of God.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Pray about this
What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Deuteronomy 10
What does it mean to circumcise your heart in Deuteronomy 10:16?
Circumcision was the sign of the covenant in the body. Moses asks for an inner reality: a teachable heart that lets itself be changed, and a neck that no longer stiffens. The New Testament picks up this idea: what matters is the change of heart more than the outward rite.
What does Deuteronomy 10 say about the stranger?
In verses 18 and 19, God upholds the cause of the orphan and the widow, he loves the stranger and gives him food and clothing. Israel must therefore love the stranger in turn, because it was itself a stranger in Egypt. This passage is often cited on welcome and hospitality.
What is the main message of Deuteronomy 10?
God forgives and renews his covenant, and what he asks in return is a heart wholly turned toward him: to fear him, love him, serve him and walk in his ways, which also shows in justice toward the weak and the stranger.
Articles quoting Deuteronomy 10
- 20 Bible Verses for Adoption and Foster Care: Belonging in God's Family
- 15 Bible Verses About Welcome and Hospitality
- Matthew 22: Give to God What Belongs to God
- John 12: A Faith That Offers Nothing Is Good for Nothing
- Acts 10: The Gospel That Breaks Down Every Barrier
- Deuteronomy 8: Truly Living by Keeping the Word of God
World English Bible translation — public domain.