Deuteronomy 9:17
Deuteronomy 9:17 in Multiple Translations
So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, shattering them before your eyes.
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
And I took hold of the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
And I let the stones go from my hands, and they were broken before your eyes.
I threw the two tablets down, smashing them to pieces as you watched.
Therefore I tooke the two Tables, and cast them out of my two handes, and brake them before your eyes.
'And I lay hold on the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and break them before your eyes,
I took hold of the two tablets, and threw them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes.
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes.
I cast the tables out of my hands, and broke them in your sight.
So while they were watching, I lifted up those two stone tablets and threw them on the ground, and they broke into pieces.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 9:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 9:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וָ/אֶתְפֹּשׂ֙
בִּ/שְׁנֵ֣י
הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת
וָֽ/אַשְׁלִכֵ֔/ם
מֵ/עַ֖ל
שְׁתֵּ֣י
יָדָ֑/י
וָ/אֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖/ם
לְ/עֵינֵי/כֶֽם
וָ/אֶתְפֹּשׂ֙
tâphas
H8610
to capture
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
בִּ/שְׁנֵ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Prep | Adj
הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת
lûwach
H3871
tablet
Art | N-mp
וָֽ/אַשְׁלִכֵ֔/ם
shâlak
H7993
to throw
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
מֵ/עַ֖ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Prep
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
יָדָ֑/י
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
וָ/אֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖/ם
shâbar
H7665
to break
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
לְ/עֵינֵי/כֶֽם
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 9:17
וָ/אֶתְפֹּשׂ֙
tâphas
H8610
"to capture"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Definition: 1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch 1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured 1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take. See also: Genesis 4:21; Jeremiah 2:8; Psalms 10:2.
בִּ/שְׁנֵ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Prep | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
הַ/לֻּחֹ֔ת
lûwach
H3871
"tablet"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a polished tablet, possibly made of stone, wood, or metal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tablets of stone given to Moses, and is translated as board, plate, or table in the KJV.
Definition: 1) board, slab, tablet, plank 1a) tablets (of stone) 1b) boards (of wood) 1c) plate (of metal)
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: board, plate, table. See also: Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 9:15; Proverbs 3:3.
וָֽ/אַשְׁלִכֵ֔/ם
shâlak
H7993
"to throw"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Definition: 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. See also: Genesis 21:15; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 2:3.
מֵ/עַ֖ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
שְׁתֵּ֣י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
יָדָ֑/י
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
וָ/אֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖/ם
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
לְ/עֵינֵי/כֶֽם
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 9:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Deuteronomy 9:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 9:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
Context — The Golden Calf
15So I went back down the mountain while it was blazing with fire, with the two tablets of the covenant in my hands.
16And I saw how you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves a molten calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you.
17So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, shattering them before your eyes.
18Then I fell down before the LORD for forty days and forty nights, as I had done the first time. I did not eat bread or drink water because of all the sin you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD and provoking Him to anger. 19For I was afraid of the anger and wrath that the LORD had directed against you, enough to destroy you. But the LORD listened to me this time as well.Deuteronomy 9:17 Summary
In Deuteronomy 9:17, Moses shatters the tablets of the covenant because the people had sinned against God by worshiping a molten calf. This act symbolizes the breaking of the covenant between God and His people, highlighting the severity of sin and the need for restoration. Just as Moses was grieved by the people's sin, we too should be grieved by our own sin and seek to restore our relationship with God, as seen in Psalm 51:17. By acknowledging our sin and seeking forgiveness, we can experience God's mercy and restoration, just as the people did when God made new tablets in Deuteronomy 10:1-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moses shatter the tablets of the covenant in Deuteronomy 9:17?
Moses shattered the tablets because the people had broken God's covenant by worshiping a molten calf, as seen in Deuteronomy 9:16, and this act symbolized the breaking of the covenant between God and His people, much like the tearing of garments in Exodus 32:19 to signify grief and outrage.
What was Moses' emotional state when he shattered the tablets?
Moses was filled with anger and grief, as evidenced by his actions in Deuteronomy 9:17 and his subsequent forty-day fast in Deuteronomy 9:18, demonstrating his deep sorrow over the people's sin and his concern for their well-being before God.
Was Moses' action of shattering the tablets a form of rebellion against God?
No, Moses' action was not a rebellion against God, but rather an expression of his righteous anger and disappointment towards the people's sin, much like God's own righteous anger towards sin, as seen in Psalm 7:11 and Romans 1:18.
What does the shattering of the tablets represent in the context of the covenant?
The shattering of the tablets represents the brokenness of the covenant between God and His people, highlighting the severity of sin and the need for restoration, as seen in the subsequent making of new tablets in Deuteronomy 10:1-5, symbolizing God's willingness to restore and renew the covenant with His people.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have 'broken' my own covenant with God through sin, and how can I seek restoration and forgiveness?
- How can I, like Moses, cultivate a deep sense of righteous anger and grief towards sin, without becoming bitter or resentful?
- In what ways can I express my sorrow and repentance to God for my own sins, and how can I seek to make amends and restore my relationship with Him?
- What does the shattering of the tablets teach me about the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands, and how can I prioritize these values in my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 9:17
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands,.... In wrath and indignation at the sin they were guilty of: and brake them before your eyes; as an emblem of their breach of them by transgressing them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 9:17
And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
Not by an unbridled passion, but in zeal for God’ s honour, and by the direction of God’ s Spirit, to signify to the people, that the covenant between God and them contained in those tables was broken and made void, and they were now quite cast out of God’ s favour, and could expect nothing from him but fiery indignation and severe justice. See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
Deuteronomy 9:17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.Ver. 17. And cast them.]
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
(17) I . . . brake them before your eyes.—This shows that the act was deliberate on Moses’ part. He did not simply drop the tables in his passion before they reached the camp; he deliberately broke the material covenant in the face of the people, who had broken the covenant itself. When we remember the effect of hastily touching not the tables of the Law themselves, but the mere chest that contained them, in after-times, we may well believe that the breaking of these two tables was an act necessary for the safety of Israel. In Exodus 33:7, we read that Moses placed the temporary tabernacle outside the camp at the same time. The two actions seem to have had the same significance, and to have been done for the same reason.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 9:17
17. Vivid variation and expansion of Exo 32:19 b: and Moses’ anger waxed hot and he cast the tables out of his hands and brake them beneath the mount.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 9:17
17. I took the two tables,… and brake them before your eyes — This was equivalent to declaring that the covenant which Jehovah had made with them was now broken by their apostasy. Comp. Exodus 32:1-17.