Exodus 20:14-24

14 "You must not be guilty of adultery.

15 "You must not steal.

16 "You must not tell lies about your neighbor.

17 "You must not want to take your neighbor's house. You must not want his wife or his male or female slaves, or his ox or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

18 When the people heard the thunder and the trumpet, and when they saw the lightning and the smoke rising from the mountain, they shook with fear and stood far away from the mountain.

19 Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself, and we will listen. But don't let God speak to us, or we will die."

20 Then Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, because God has come to test you. He wants you to respect him so you will not sin."

21 The people stood far away from the mountain while Moses went near the dark cloud where God was.

22 Then the Lord told Moses to say these things to the Israelites: "You yourselves have seen that I talked with you from heaven.

23 You must not use gold or silver to make idols for yourselves; do not worship these gods in addition to me.

24 "Make an altar of dirt for me, and sacrifice on it your whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and your cattle. Worship me in every place that I choose, and I will come and bless you.

Exodus 20:14-24 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.