Exodus 20:1-21

God Gives His People the Ten Commandments

1 Here are all of the words God spoke. He said,

2 "I am the LORD your God. I brought you out of Egypt. That is the land where you were slaves.

3 "Do not put any other gods in place of me.

4 "Do not make statues of gods that look like anything in the sky or on the earth or in the waters.

5 Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. I punish the children for the sin of their parents. I punish the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me.

6 But for all time to come I show love to all those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 "Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will find guilty anyone who misuses his name.

8 "Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.

9 Do all of your work in six days.

10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath in honor of the LORD your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your cities.

11 In six days I made the heavens and the earth. I made the oceans and everything in them. But I rested on the seventh day. So I blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

13 "Do not commit murder.

14 "Do not commit adultery.

15 "Do not steal.

16 "Do not give false witness against your neighbor.

17 "Do not long for anything that belongs to your neighbor. Do not long for your neighbor's house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey."

18 The people saw the thunder and lightning. They heard the trumpet. They saw the mountain covered with smoke. They trembled with fear and stayed a long way off.

19 They said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself. Then we'll listen. But don't let God speak to us. If he does, we'll die."

20 Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. God has come to put you to the test. He wants you to have respect for him. That will keep you from sinning."

21 Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. But the people remained a long way off.

Exodus 20:1-21 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.