Exodus 34:27

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.

Exodus 34:27 (KJV)

Context

This verse comes after Israel’s sin with the golden calf, when God renewed His covenant with the people at Mount Sinai. Moses stands as the mediator between God and Israel, and God speaks directly to him.

God commands Moses to write down the words He has spoken, which are found in the preceding verses (Exodus 34:11-27). These words form the basis of the renewed covenant.

Meaning

“Write thou these words” is a direct instruction from God. Writing ensures that the words are preserved accurately and can be passed on to future generations. This is not the first time God has commanded Moses to write; earlier, Moses recorded the defeat of Amalek (Exodus 17:14) and the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 24:4).

The phrase “after the tenor of these words” means that the covenant is established in accordance with the specific content of these written words. God reaffirms that the words He has spoken constitute a covenant with both Moses and the entire nation of Israel. The covenant is an agreement between God and His people, establishing their relationship and the terms on which they will live as God’s chosen nation.

Biblical connections

This command to write parallels Moses’ earlier writing of the Book of the Covenant in Exodus 24:4, 7, which contained the laws given at Sinai. Both instances emphasize the importance of recording God’s words for the people’s ongoing instruction and obedience.

Application

God’s command to write shows the value He places on His words being recorded and remembered. Just as Moses wrote down God’s words for the people, believers today can treasure the written Word of God as the basis of their relationship with Him. Reading and obeying Scripture keeps the covenant relationship alive and passes it on to the next generation.

Reflection

Consider how seriously you treat the written words of God. The covenant was made “with thee and with Israel,” showing that God’s promises are personal and communal. How can you honor God’s written Word in your daily life, both in personal devotion and in your community of faith?