The first set of the original Ten Commandments tablets was smashed by Moses in a fit of rage upon witnessing the Israelites worshipping a golden calf.
The Fate of the First Tablets
According to the biblical account, these initial tablets were uniquely inscribed by the finger of God Himself, signifying their profound divine origin. However, their existence was short-lived outside of Mount Sinai.
Upon descending from the mountain, Moses was confronted by the sight of the Children of Israel engaged in idolatry, dancing around and worshipping a golden calf that they had compelled Aaron to create. Overwhelmed by anger and disappointment at their betrayal of God so soon after receiving His laws, Moses threw the tablets to the ground, breaking them at the foot of the mountain.
- Divine Inscription: The initial tablets were directly written by God.
- Moses' Fury: Shattered due to the Israelites' idolatry.
- Symbolic Destruction: Represented the breaking of the covenant by the people.
The Creation of the Second Tablets
Following this event, God instructed Moses to prepare a second set of stone tablets. Moses himself was commanded to chisel out these new tablets, after which God once again rewrote the Ten Commandments upon them. This second set then served as the permanent record of God's covenant with Israel and was later placed inside the Ark of the Covenant.
A Comparative Look at the Tablets
To better understand the distinct nature and fate of each set of tablets, consider the following comparison:
| Feature | First Set of Tablets | Second Set of Tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Inscribed by the finger of God | Chiseled by Moses; rewritten by God |
| Primary Fate | Smashed by Moses | Placed in the Ark of the Covenant |
| Key Event | Israelites worshiping the golden calf | Renewal of the covenant after idolatry |
| Biblical Reference | Exodus 31:18, Exodus 32:19 | Exodus 34:1 |
The destruction of the original tablets serves as a powerful biblical narrative illustrating the consequences of disobedience and the process of divine forgiveness and renewal.
