Exodus 34:27 Meaning: Words That Anchor the Covenant
Yahweh said to Moses, “Write these words; for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”
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.
And Jehovah said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
And Jehovah saith unto Moses, `Write for thyself these words, for, according to the tenor of these words I have made with thee a covenant, and with Israel.'
And Jehovah said to Moses, Write thee these words; for after the tenor of these words have I made a covenant with thee and with Israel.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did God command Moses to write these words? Exodus 34:27 shows that God's words are the firm ground of His covenant with Israel.
Context
Moses is back on the mountain, the stone tablets he shattered replaced with fresh ones. The golden calf nearly destroyed Israel's relationship with God, but now the Lord is making things new. He has just given a series of commands about worship, feasts, and holy living. These are not random rules. They are the terms of a renewed covenant, the shape of a people set apart. Now God tells Moses to write them down. The same God who wrote the Ten Commandments with His own finger wants Moses to put the covenant words in writing, so the people can hold them, read them, and live by them.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for “write” here is katav. It means to inscribe, engrave, or record something permanently. This is not a quick note. God wants the words set down so they last, as a foundation for the relationship.
The word for “words” is davar. It can mean a spoken word, but also a matter, a thing, or a command. These are not just sounds in the air. They are solid realities that shape how Israel lives with God.
And “covenant” comes from berit, rooted in karat, to cut. Ancient covenants were sealed by cutting animals in two. It was a life-and-death bond. So when God says He has made a covenant “after the tenor of these words,” He means the precise terms matter. The relationship is not vague; it is built on what He has spoken. God gives His people something to hold onto.
How Christians Read This Verse
Most commentators agree that “these words” in verse 27 refer to the commands just given in verses 11, 26, not the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were written by God Himself on the stone tablets (v. 28). But here, Moses is told to write down the other stipulations as the terms of the covenant renewal.
Matthew Henry notes that this writing is a proof of the covenant's restoration. Keil and Delitzsch add that because God had already made a covenant earlier in Exodus 24, this renewed covenant did not need a fresh conclusion, only a written record of its conditions. Across traditions, Christians see in this verse the care God takes to give His people a clear, lasting Word to guide them.
A common misunderstanding
It is easy to assume that “these words” means the Ten Commandments, since they are the most famous part of the covenant. But in the story, God has already said He will write the Ten Commandments Himself (Exodus 34:1). The words Moses is told to write are the commands in the previous sixteen verses, the laws about feasts, firstborn, and holy living. In fact, both sets of words belong to the covenant; God just chose different hands to write them down.
Living This Out
This week, think about one specific instruction from God that you tend to treat as optional. Maybe it is about rest, generosity, or how you speak to someone. The covenant was built on particular words, not general good intentions. God gave Israel a written record so they would know exactly what He asked. You could write down one command from Scripture that you need to take seriously. Put it where you will see it. Let it do what God intended: shape how you walk with Him today.
Main takeaway: God anchors His covenant with His people in written words, because He wants us to know exactly what He has said and to live by it.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told Moses to write down His words so the people would remember them. You can write a Bible verse on a piece of paper this week and put it on your wall. It helps you remember what God said.
For ages 9, 12
Have you ever made a promise and then forgotten what you agreed to? God didn't want that to happen with Israel. So He had Moses write down exactly what the covenant required. God gave them clear words to follow. When you read the Bible, you are holding God's covenant words. They tell you what He promises and what He asks of you. Writing down a verse you want to live by can help you keep it close to your heart.
Questions People Ask
What are 'these words' in Exodus 34:27?
In context, 'these words' refers to the commands God gave in verses 11, 26 of the same chapter. These include instructions about feasts, the Sabbath, firstborn offerings, and other laws for worship and daily life. They are the specific terms of the renewed covenant after the golden calf incident.
Why did God tell Moses to write these words down?
God wanted the covenant terms to be permanent and clear. Writing them down meant they could be read, remembered, and passed on to future generations. It also served as a public record that the covenant was restored and that Israel agreed to live by these words.
Did Moses write the Ten Commandments?
No, the Ten Commandments were written by God Himself on the stone tablets (Exodus 34:1, 28). The words Moses wrote in verse 27 are the additional commands given in the preceding verses. Both sets of writing were part of the covenant, but God wrote the core ten, and Moses wrote the supporting stipulations.
What does 'after the tenor of these words' mean?
The Hebrew phrase is 'al-pi ha-devarim,' literally 'upon the mouth of these words.' It means the covenant is established precisely according to the content and terms of the commands. God's relationship with Israel is not based on vague promises but on specific, spoken words that carry authority.
How does Exodus 34:27 relate to the covenant God made with Israel?
This verse shows that the covenant is not just a spiritual idea; it is grounded in God's actual words. The commands are the conditions of the relationship. By writing them down and reading them, the people could understand what God required and commit to it. It sets a pattern for how God continues to relate to His people through His written Word.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study