The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Exodus 31:18 –Did God Have Fingers? Unpacking the 'Finger of God'

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In this episode, Lance Smith explores Exodus 31:18 and the phrase "written by the finger of God," asking whether it implies a literal digit or serves as a metaphor. He examines anthropomorphism, ancient Near Eastern imagery, and related biblical passages to clarify how language about God conveys theological truth.

Drawing on historical and scholarly insights, the episode argues the "finger of God" emphasizes God’s direct authority and personal involvement in giving the Ten Commandments, rather than a physical attribute.

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  1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
  2. Doak, Brian R. “Written with the Finger of God: Divine and Human Writing in Exodus.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2014. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs 
  3. Hundley, Michael B. “Anthropomorphisms in Ancient Israelite Religion.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2019. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs
  4. Heiser, Michael S. “Anthropomorphisms in P.” The Naked Bible. Available at: https://drmsh.com/TheNakedBible/Anthropomorphisms%20in%20P.pdf 
  5. Harrington, Wilfrid J. “The Finger of God.” Grace in Focus, Faith Alone, 2018. Available at: https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-finger-of-god/ 
  6. “Anthropomorphism.” Jewish Virtual Library. Available at: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/anthropomorphism 
  7. “What does it mean that the tablets with the Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/finger-of-God.html 
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