Deuteronomy 10

“At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include tables, brakest, first. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and…” Naming Aaron and Beeroth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“From thence they journeyed unto Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbath, a land of rivers of waters.” Naming Gudgodah and Jotbath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD , to stand before the…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To keep the commandments of the LORD , and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all…” Naming Only keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” Naming Circumcise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.” The line’s distinctive content terms include execute, fatherless, food. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Naming Egypt and Love keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.