The Bible itself attests that indeed God wrote the Ten Commandments. The Book of Exodus, Chapter 31, verses 18 and 32:16, states that God wrote the commandments on tablets of stone with His own finger. Additionally, in Deuteronomy 4:13, it is stated that God “declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to follow—the Ten Commandments, which he wrote on two tablets of stone.”
Take a look at Exodus 31:18.
“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.”
This verse clearly indicates yes. But there is more to the history of how the Ten Commandments were first made. Then what happened to them that makes people ask if God did?
- How did God write the Ten Commandments?
- When did God write the Ten Commandments?
- Where did God write the Ten Commandments?
- What did God write the Ten Commandments on?
- Why did He write them on stone?
- How many times did He write them?
- Why did God write the Ten Commandments?
Let’s delve into their inception by exploring how the Ten Commandments came to be.
How did God write the Ten Commandments?
The Bible does not provide explicit details on how God wrote the Ten Commandments. However, according to Exodus 31:18, “When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.” This verse suggests that God wrote the commandments with his finger.
Popular movies like The Ten Commandments, tend to depict God as a pillar of fire described in Exodus. With a fiery “finger” etching stone, as if melting in the words with heat.
However, nowhere in the Bible does it describe exactly what is meant by “the finger of God”. Other than to say God Himself did it.
Some might also speculate based on the description of God as large enough to cover Moses with His hand in Exodus 33:21-23 as He walked by. That God, being that large (even though God can be whatever size He wants to be at any time), could just write with one finger. Etching stone easily with no need for tools. Just as someone might write in clay with a finger.
When did God write the Ten Commandments?
The Bible states that God wrote the Ten Commandments during the time of Moses after the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.
This event occurred approximately 3,500 years ago, around 1446 BC. However, the general consensus is that the events surrounding the delivery of the Ten Commandments occurred around the mid-15th century BC.
We know the approximate time period when God wrote the Ten Commandments based on the Biblical accounts of when the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt and the events that followed. Based on Exodus 12-14, scholars believe the Israelites left Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep II. Scholars have placed the reign of Amenhotep II between 1450-1425 BC.
Following their departure from Egypt, the Israelites traveled to Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The biblical timeline places this event approximately three months after the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 19:1). Based on the information provided in the Bible and historical research, scholars have estimated that the event occurred around 1446 BC, give or take a few years.
It’s worth noting that there is some debate among scholars regarding the exact timeline of events and the dating of Amenhotep II’s reign.
Where did God write the Ten Commandments?
As mentioned previously, God wrote the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, as described in Exodus 19:20. It describes how God called Moses to ascend Mount Sinai to receive the commandments for freed Israelites.
There is some speculation as to where Mount Sinai is located. Many think it is in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, on Jabal Mousa.
However, there is also evidence that Mount Sinai is in Saudi Arabia, by Jebel al Lawz. Such as blacked peaks, that would be from the dark cloud God placed to shield the Israelites from His full glory. And archeological remains of what appear to be the remains of an altar of Aaron, rock carvings, and a golden calf altar.
What did God write the Ten Commandments on?
As we said before, God wrote the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone. Exodus 31:18 states, “He gave Moses the two tablets of the covenant law, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.”
But it likely wasn’t just any stone.
There are some who believe that the Ten Commandments were written on blue stone because of a reference in the biblical book of Exodus. In Exodus 24:10, it says that when Moses and the elders of Israel went up Mount Sinai to meet with God right before God created the tables, “they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.” Later in Exodus 34:1, God commands Moses to “Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first” after breaking the first ones.
Some people have interpreted these passages to mean that the tablets of the Ten Commandments were made of a type of blue stone, possibly Lapis lazuli. Which also aligns with the Biblical and cultural connections of the law being symbolized by the color blue. Such as the blue cords on prayer shawls.
However, it’s important to note that there is no explicit mention in the Bible of the Ten Commandments being written on blue stone. The color and material of the tablets are not mentioned at all.
Artistic depictions of the tablets in medieval and Renaissance art would often have them made of blue stone or adorned with lapis lazuli. Though they were also depicted as other stone colors as well.
Archeologists have found ancient lapiz lazuli tablets from other cultures as well. So it isn’t far-fetched to speculate the Ten Commandments might have been as well.
Why did He write them on stone?
Writing the commandments on stone was a way of preserving them for future generations. Stone is a durable material that can withstand the elements and last for a long time.
Additionally, the act of writing the commandments on stone symbolized the permanence and importance of the covenant between God and the Israelites.
It’s worth noting that in ancient times, stone was often used as a durable and long-lasting material for inscriptions. But other writing materials existed, papyrus, scrolls, hides, and clay tablets.
How many times did He write them?
According to the Bible, God wrote the Ten Commandments on two separate occasions. The first time was when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the tablets from God. However, when Moses came down from the mountain and saw that the Israelites had made a golden calf and were worshiping it, he became angry and smashed the tablets (Exodus 32:19).
God then instructed Moses to carve two new tablets of stone, and God wrote the Ten Commandments on these new tablets as well (Exodus 34:1-4). So, in total, God wrote the Ten Commandments twice.
Why did God write the Ten Commandments?
God wrote the Ten Commandments to provide guidance and direction for his people. The commandments lay out the foundation of the covenant between God and the Israelites, and provide guidelines for living a righteous and just life.
The Ten Commandments were not just a set of rules to be followed; they were a solemn agreement between God and his people. By writing them on stone tablets, God emphasized that these commandments were not to be taken lightly or easily forgotten.
The moral principles behind the Ten Commandments existed before, but the specific wording and structure of the Ten Commandments were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai as their side of the agreement with God. Romans 2:14-15, says, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness.” This verse suggests that even those who were not given the Ten Commandments still had an innate understanding of right and wrong.
The principles contained in the commandments were already well-known and accepted among God’s people. For example, the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” was likely already understood to be a moral imperative, even if it wasn’t stated explicitly in those exact words. So in a sense, the Ten Commandments may be seen as a codification of pre-existing moral principles that were already recognized by God’s people. Formalizing them.
In conclusion, the Bible clearly states that God wrote the Ten Commandments with his own finger on two tablets of stone. These commandments were given to establish a standard of behavior for God’s people and to demonstrate their obedience and loyalty to God.
They continue to serve as an important moral and ethical guide for believers today. Through his commandments, God provided his people with a clear path to living in a way that is pleasing to him and beneficial to society as a whole.
Our Adventist Life is a dedicated online evangelist and mother of two, deeply rooted in her Seventh-day Adventist faith. With over 15 years of experience in creating and optimizing digital content, she brings a unique blend of professional expertise and spiritual insight to her work. Her passion lies in exploring Biblical truths and their practical applications in daily living, self-care, and family nurturing. Through her writing, she aims to inspire and guide her readers toward a more fulfilling Christian lifestyle, drawing from her own experiences as a parent and a follower of Christ. Her thoughtful and engaging content reflects her commitment to sharing the love and wisdom found in the Scriptures with a modern audience living in the end times.