Exodus 20:3-11

3 “You shall have no other gods before^[a] me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.

5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.

11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 20:3-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 20

In this chapter we have an account of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; the preface to it, Ex 20:1,2, the ten commandments it consists of, Ex 20:8-17, the circumstances attending it, which caused the people to remove at some distance, Ex 20:18, when they desired of Moses, that he would speak to them and not God, who bid them not fear, since this was for the trial of them; but still they kept at a distance, while Moses drew nigh to God, Ex 20:19-21 who ordered him to caution the children of Israel against idolatry, and directed what sort of an altar he would have made whereon to offer their sacrifices, promising that where his name was recorded he would grant his presence and blessing, Ex 20:22-26.

Cross References

• 1. ver 23; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:14; Deuteronomy 13:10; 2 Kings 17:35; Psalms 44:20; Psalms 81:9; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 7:6,9; Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 25:6; Jeremiah 35:15
• 2. ver 5,23; Exodus 32:8; Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1; Dt 4:15-19,23; Deuteronomy 27:15; 2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Kings 14:9; 2 Kings 17:12; Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 44:9
• 3. Exodus 23:13,24; Joshua 23:7; Judges 6:10; 2 Kings 17:35; Isa 44:15,17,19; Isaiah 46:6
• 4. Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2
• 5. S Genesis 9:25; S Leviticus 26:39
• 6. Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Jeremiah 32:18
• 7. Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 32:18; Luke 1:50; Romans 11:28
• 8. Leviticus 22:28">Ex Leviticus 22:28; Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 19:12; Leviticus 22:2; Leviticus 24:11,16; Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20; Job 2:5,9; Psalms 63:11; Isaiah 8:21; Ezekiel 20:39; Ezekiel 39:7; S Matthew 5:33
• 9. S Exodus 16:23; Exodus 31:13-16; Exodus 35:3; Leviticus 19:3,30; Leviticus 26:2; Isaiah 56:2; Jeremiah 17:21-27; Ezekiel 22:8
• 10. Exodus 23:12; Exodus 31:13-17; Exodus 34:21; Exodus 35:2-3; Leviticus 23:3; Luke 13:14
• 11. S Genesis 2:3; Exodus 31:14; Leviticus 23:38; Numbers 28:9; Isaiah 56:2; Ezekiel 20:12,20
• 12. Ge 1:3-2:1
• 13. S Genesis 2:2
• 14. Exodus 31:17; Hebrews 4:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "besides"