Deuteronomy 10: Circumcise Your Heart Before God
Deuteronomy 10: Circumcise Your Heart Before God
Collin Leong. June 29, 2026
(v1-11) New Tablets of Stone
(v1-3) "At that time the LORD said to me: "Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain and make an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.' So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two tablets of stone and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. "
Exp: The instructions for making the ark of acacia wood to hold the testimony (the tablets), was given when Moses went up in the Sinai mountain at the first time (Exodus 25:10-16). He was supposed to put the first tablets into the ark. But he broke it on the way down. So this time, God told him to make the ark before he goes up the second time (Exodus 34:1–4)
(v4-5) "And He wrote on the tablets, in the same writing as before, the 10 commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me. Then I came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark that I have made. And there they are, as the LORD commanded me."
Exp: Moses is recalling Exodus 34.
(v10-11) "I myself stayed on the mountain, as the first time, 40 days and 40 nights, and the LORD listened to me that time also. The LORD was unwilling to destroy you. And the LORD said to me, "Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them.'"
Exp: (I put this ahead of v6-9 to make a better flow of the story) Moses stayed there for 40 days and 40 nights on his second trip, without eating and drinking (Exo 34:28). In Deut 9:18-19, I explained that while waiting for the LORD to re-write the 10 commandments, he was also interceding for Israel, as he said in v10: "and the LORD listened to me that time also." That means his intercession in Deut 9:18-19 that took 40 days happened in the mountain, not after he came down after the first trip.
(v6-7) (The people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died and was buried. His son Eleazar ministered as priest in his place. From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and then to Jotbathah, and land with brooks of water.)
Exp: This passage from v6-9, interrupts the flow of Moses narrative about the re-write of the 10 commandments. It may have been inserted later to connect Aaron’s death and the Levites’ role with the covenant renewal.
The journey stated here is slightly different from Numbers 33.
| Location Order | Deuteronomy 10 | Numbers 33 |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Beeroth Bene-jaakan | Moseroth |
| 2nd | Moserah | Bene-jaakan |
| 3rd | Gudgodah | Hor-haggidgad |
| 4th | Jotbathah | Jotbathah |
Deuteronomy has Beeroth Bene-jaakan → Moserah, while Numbers has Moseroth → Bene-jaakan. The sequence is flipped. “Moserah” (Deut) vs. “Moseroth” (Num) — same root, slightly different form. Deuteronomy lists Gudgodah, Numbers lists Hor-haggidgad. These are likely variant names for the same place (Gudgodah = Hor-haggidgad), or that the name has changed over time. Both end at Jotbathah, which anchors the sequence.
Also in v6, it says that Aaron died at Moserah. However Numbers 33:38 says that Aaron died at Mount Hor. Scholars explain that there are two different streams of oral tradition may have preserved different place names. They say that Moserah/Moseroth may have been the broader district, while Mount Hor was the specific peak. So Deuteronomy could be naming the region, Numbers the mountain.
George Livingston (G.L.) Robinson (1864-1958), a professor at McCormick Theological Seminary, argued that the true Mount Hor where Aaron died was not the traditional Jebel Harun near Petra, but rather Jebel Madra (Moserah) in the Negev wilderness. He based this on biblical geography and his own travels, aligning the site with the wilderness of Paran and the itinerary in Numbers and Deuteronomy. (See Appendix for Robinson's profile)
(v8-9) (At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD to stand before the LORD to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day. Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God said to him.)
Exp: The emphasis of v6-9 is the continuity of priesthood and covenant service from Aaron, Eleazar and the tribe of Levites.
(v10-11 done above)
(v12-22) Circumcise Your Heart
(v12-13) "And now, Israel, what does the Lord require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?
Exp: Moses said similar words 3 times in Deuteronomy: 6:4-5, 8:5, 11:13. It’s a condensed restatement of the covenant obligations Moses has been repeating since Sinai:
- Fear → reverence for God’s holiness.
- Walk → daily obedience.
- Love → wholehearted devotion.
- Serve → active worship and loyalty.
- Keep → covenant faithfulness.
They’re not the only things God requires, but they capture the heart posture from which all other commands flow. (See Appendix for other requirements)
(v14-16) "The LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it. Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of you heart, and be no longer stubborn."
Exp: Abraham was the first to practice physical circumcision (Genesis 17), and Israel continued it as a covenant sign. But when Moses says “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn”, he’s deliberately shifting the imagery from the body to the inner life. Just as physical circumcision removes flesh, heart circumcision symbolizes removing hardness, pride, and resistance to God. The “foreskin” metaphor suggests a barrier. Removing it means making the heart tender, open, and responsive to God’s word. (See Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4; Rom 2:29 in Appendix)
(v17-19) "For the LORD is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt."
Exp: "God of gods and Lord of lords" declares God’s supremacy over all spiritual beings and earthly rulers. He is not one among many; He is the ultimate authority. Great: His majesty and vastness. Mighty: His power to act in history and creation. Mighty: His power to act in history and creation. Unlike human judges, God’s justice is incorruptible. He judges with perfect fairness, not swayed by wealth, status, or influence.
“Executes justice for the fatherless and the widow” - shows His care for the most vulnerable - those without protection or provision. He extends compassion to outsiders and foreigners. Demonstrates that God’s covenant love is not limited to Israel alone but encompass the world. We are told to be generous and to love foreigners around us, as if we are them in other countries.
(v20-22) "You shall fear the LORD you God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that you eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.
Exp: In v20, the phrase “hold fast to Him” (Hebrew: דָּבַק / dāḇaq) carries a very vivid meaning. It is “to cling, stick, cleave, join closely.” It’s used of physical attachment, like something glued together. In relational sense, it is a deep loyalty and attachment, not letting go. Similar to marital union - “A man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast (dāḇaq) to his wife.” (Genesis 2:24)
The word "swear" in v20 means to take an oath, invoking God’s name as the guarantor of truth. It’s about affirming honesty and loyalty: when you swear “by His name,” you’re binding your word to God’s authority. This is different from a vow, where you make a promise or commitment to God, often accompanied by a sacrifice or offering (Num 30:2).
However, Jesus said during the Sermon on the Mount, that we should not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Let your "yes" be yes, your "no" be no. (Mat 5:34–37)
Genesis 46:27 and Exodus 1:5 said that Jacob's descendants went to Egypt.
Key Messages
Deuteronomy 10 continues Moses’ exhortation after recounting Israel’s rebellion. It highlights God’s mercy in renewing the covenant, the call to fear and love Him, and the reminder of His greatness and compassion. Moses emphasizes circumcision of the heart, care for the vulnerable, and wholehearted devotion. Themes include covenant renewal, divine mercy, reverence, obedience, humility, and love expressed in justice.
1. Renewal of the Covenant (vv. 1–5)
God commands Moses to make new tablets after the first were broken, and the ark is prepared to house them.
Application: Believers are reminded that God’s mercy provides restoration after failure. Even when sin shatters covenant fellowship, God graciously renews His promises. Our hope rests in His willingness to restore relationship.
2. God’s Mercy and Provision (vv. 6–9)
The narrative recalls Aaron’s death, the appointment of Eleazar, and the Levites’ role in serving the Lord and bearing the ark.
Application: Believers are reminded that God provides faithful leadership and priestly service to sustain His people. His mercy ensures continuity of worship and guidance. We can trust His provision for spiritual leadership in every generation.
3. God’s Answer to Intercession (vv. 10–11)
Moses recounts his forty days of prayer and God’s command to lead Israel into the land.
Application: Believers are reminded that prayer moves God to act in mercy. Intercession is powerful, and God responds by reaffirming His promises. Leaders must persist in prayer for the people’s future.
4. Call to Fear, Love, and Obey God (vv. 12–13)
Moses summarizes what the Lord requires: fear Him, walk in His ways, love Him, serve Him wholeheartedly, and keep His commandments.
Application: Believers are reminded that true faith is holistic—reverence, love, obedience, and service. God’s requirements are not burdensome but for our good, shaping us into His people.
5. God’s Greatness and Compassion (vv. 14–19)
The Lord owns heaven and earth yet set His love on Israel. He calls them to circumcise their hearts, resist stubbornness, and imitate His justice—caring for the orphan, widow, and foreigner.
Application: Believers are reminded that humility and compassion flow from God’s character. Circumcision of the heart means removing pride and hardness. Loving the vulnerable reflects God’s own care and reveals His love through us.
6. Exhortation to Serve and Obey (vv. 20–22)
Israel is urged to fear the Lord, cling to Him, swear by His name, and remember His mighty acts.
Application: Believers are reminded to anchor their lives in God’s greatness. Clinging to Him in loyalty and remembering His deeds strengthens faith. Worship and obedience are responses to His saving power.
In summary, Deuteronomy 10 calls believers to covenant renewal, humility, and wholehearted devotion. It emphasizes God’s mercy after rebellion, the necessity of heart transformation, and the call to reflect His justice and compassion in daily life.
Appendix
1. Requirements from God
- Fear → reverence for God’s holiness.
- Be holy: Lev 19:2 — “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
- Walk → daily obedience.
- Teach diligently: Deut 6:7 — “You shall teach them diligently to your children…”
- Love → wholehearted devotion.
- Love neighbor: Lev 19:18 — “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Serve → active worship and loyalty.
- Choose life: Deut 30:19 — “Choose life, that you and your offspring may live…”
- Keep → covenant faithfulness.
- Remember/Do not forget: Deut 8:11 — “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God…”
2. Quotes
Deuteronomy 30:6 - “The LORD your God will circumcise your heart… so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Jeremiah 4:4 - “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD; remove the foreskin of your hearts…”
Romans 2:29 - “Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.”
Num 30:2 - “If a man vows a vow to the LORD… he shall not break his word.”
Genesis 46:27 - “All the persons of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt were seventy.”
Exodus 1:5 - “All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt.”
Matthew 5:34–37 - “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (NKJV)
3. Quoted by NT
| Deuteronomy | NT Reference(s) | Theme |
|---|
| Deut 10:20 | Matt 4:10 | Serve and cling to God |
|---|
4. Profile of G.L. Robinson
George Livingston Robinson (1864-1958) - Professor of Old Testament at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago. Specialized in biblical geography and archaeology, with multiple expeditions in the Near East.
Publications:
The Sarcophagus of an Ancient Civilization: Petra, Edom and the Edomites (1930)
The True Mount Hor (article, University of Chicago Press journals)
Robinson’s Proposal:
He argued that Jebel Madra (Moserah), an isolated limestone peak south of the Great Makhtesh and near the brook of Zin, better fits the biblical itinerary.
He noted that Israel journeyed from Kadesh to Mount Hor (Num. 20:22; 33:37), which aligns geographically with Jebel Madra rather than Petra.
He emphasized that the wilderness of Paran and the Arabah route support this identification.
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