Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 10

The ark was a gold-plated wooden chest that held the stone tablets. It was kept in the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 25:10).

Later, they also placed a pot of manna and Aaron's flowering rod in the ark (Hebrews 9:4). The ark was the throne where the invisible Lord sat on earth among his people (see study notes on Exodus 25:22 and Leviticus 16:2).

acacia wood: This strong desert tree is likely the species Acacia raddiana. This is the only type of acacia in the Negev that grows large enough to provide building timber.

there they have remained: Sometimes, phrases like this in Deuteronomy show that the book was edited after Moses first wrote it.

When these final edits were made, the stone tablets were still kept in the ark of the covenant.

fear the LORD your God: This fear is not terror from fearing his anger. Instead, God wanted his people to understand their limits and how unworthy they were to be in his divine presence (see study notes on 7:21 and Proverbs 1:7).

circumcise your hearts: This is a figure of speech. It uses the language of circumcision to describe an inner change.

Circumcision was the physical sign of the covenant that God gave to Abraham (Genesis 17:9–14). Here, however, the command points to a deeper meaning. The people must remove stubbornness and sin from their hearts.

This image includes both inward change and outward obedience to the covenant (Romans 2:28–29).

• The phrase God of gods does not mean that other gods actually exist. It shows God's complete sovereignty over all powers in heaven and earth. The Hebrew word ’elohim, translated as "gods," can also refer to angels or other powerful beings (see Psalm 82:1).

• showing no partiality: people with power and influence do not impress God. So he does not give them special treatment (see Deuteronomy 1:17).

foreigner (literally sojourner): A group of non-Israelites described as a "mixed multitude" left Egypt with the Israelites (Exodus 12:38). Later, other foreigners settled in Israel for different reasons.

Some of these foreigners did not intend to join Israel as a covenant people. Others, though not full citizens, respected God or were potential converts. They did not have the same rights as Israelites and were sometimes treated unfairly or neglected.