Definition: And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Exodus 34:28. It’s a really significant passage in the Bible that describes God’s incredible experience with Moses and the giving of the Ten Commandments. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Essentially, God is spending a long time with Moses, testing him and establishing a new set of rules for people to follow. Let's look at each part: “And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights…” This tells us that God wasn’t just talking to Moses – He was actively present with Him. It suggests a deep, intimate relationship. “…he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.” This is the key part! This is a really unusual and symbolic act. It means that Moses was completely isolated from normal human needs – no food, no water, no rest. He was essentially a hermit, focused entirely on God. “And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant…” This is where it gets interesting. The “covenant” is basically a promise or agreement between God and His people. Moses was writing these words down – these are the fundamental rules and laws that will guide their lives. So, what’s the big picture? This verse describes a period of intense testing and preparation for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It's like God is preparing them for a huge journey and giving them a very important set of guidelines – the Ten Commandments. It shows that God is serious about establishing His laws with humanity. Why is this important? The Ten Commandments are considered one of the most important in the Bible because they form the foundation of morality, ethics, and law for billions of people throughout history. They establish a standard for how humans should treat each other. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Exodus 34? Discuss the significance of the Ten Commandments in more detail? Answer any specific questions you might have about this passage?