Biblical Parallels Index – Devarim 10

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Second Tablets in Shemot and Devarim

The giving of the second Tablets is described in Shemot 34 and Devarim 10. Among the differences between the two descriptions is the emphasis in Devarim on the building of the Ark to house the Tablets, which is not mentioned in Shemot 34.

Tools

Use the Tanakh Lab to compare the two accounts.

Articles

See ועשית לך ארון עץ, by R. Dr. Tamir Granot, for comparison and contrast of the two narratives. This article suggests that the emphasis on the Ark in Devarim represents the difference in theological orientation between Sefer Shemot and Sefer Devarim in general. Whereas Shemot focuses on the experience of revelation and Hashem’s immanence, Devarim emphasizes Hashem’s transcendence and service of Hashem through Torah and mitzvot. In Shemot, the Ark, thus, is a place of revelation, while in Devarim its role is to house the Tablets that represent the divine commands.