Exodus 20:1-3

The Ten Commandments

1 And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

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

Exodus 20:1-3 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. Deuteronomy 10:4
• 2. Nehemiah 9:13; Psalms 119:9; Psalms 147:19; Malachi 4:4
• 3. S Genesis 17:7; Exodus 16:12; Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7; Isaiah 43:3; Ezekiel 20:19
• 4. S Genesis 15:7
• 5. S Exodus 6:6
• 6. Exodus 13:3; Ezekiel 20:6
• 7. 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

Footnotes

• [a] Or "besides"