Exodus 32:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The tablets and their writing are entirely God's work, not human craftsmanship.
The Context of Exodus 32:16
God Himself created and inscribed the stone tablets of the covenant.
What Does Exodus 32:16 Mean?
Scripture emphasizes twice that these tablets are God's own work—both the stone itself and the writing upon it came from God, not from any human hand. This underscores their absolute authority and sacred origin.
The contrast is implicit: the people below had just made a calf with their own hands, claiming it as a god. Above, God had written His law with His own hand. One is human craft; the other is divine revelation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 32:16
What does Exodus 32:16 mean?
The tablets and their writing are entirely God's work, not human craftsmanship.
What is the context of Exodus 32:16?
God Himself created and inscribed the stone tablets of the covenant.