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This scene from the biblical Book of Exodus depicts Moses with the Tablets of the Law on Mount Sinai, where he had led the people of Israel out of Egypt and they set up a camp in the foothills. As the community began to drift away from God, Moses was summoned to intercede in their name and after 40 days and 40 nights of fasting, God gave him the Tablets of Covenant with the Ten Commandments written by his own finger, defining the ten principles the Jewish people should adhere to. When Moses came down from the mountain to find the people worshipping the idol of the Golden Calf, Moses shattered the tablets and pleaded for God’s pardon. After God instructed him to chisel two new tablets which would once again be inscribed upon the mountain, these were later held in the Ark of the Covenant and could be only accessed by the highest priest on special occasions. This painting depicts Moses holding the two tablets aloft.