Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5375 law  »  5377 law, Ten Commandments

The basic laws given to Israel through Moses following the exodus from Egypt (Ex 20:1-17; Dt 5:6-21). The first four commandments safeguard Israel's special relation to God; the remaining six protect individuals within the community and promote their well-being.

The Ten Commandments are to govern the life of Israel as the people of God

Israel should obey God alone

Exodus 20:2-3 pp Deuteronomy 5:6-7 See also Deuteronomy 6:13-15

Idolatry forbidden

Exodus 20:4-6 pp Deuteronomy 5:8-10 See also Exodus 32:1-8; Leviticus 19:4; 1 Corinthians 10:7

God's name should not be misused

Exodus 20:7 pp Deuteronomy 5:11 See also Matthew 7:21

A day of rest is commanded

Exodus 20:8-11 pp Deuteronomy 5:12-15 See also Exodus 16:23; Leviticus 19:3; Isaiah 56:2; Jeremiah 17:21-22

Parents are to be honoured

Exodus 20:12 pp Deuteronomy 5:16 See also Matthew 15:4; Ephesians 6:1-3

Murder is forbidden

Exodus 20:13 pp Deuteronomy 5:17 See also Genesis 4:8-16; Matthew 5:21

Adultery is forbidden

Exodus 20:14 pp Deuteronomy 5:18 See also Leviticus 18:20; 2 Samuel 11:2-5; Matthew 5:27; Hebrews 13:4

Stealing is forbidden

Exodus 20:15 pp Deuteronomy 5:19 See also Leviticus 19:11,13

False witness is forbidden

Exodus 20:16 pp Deuteronomy 5:20 See also Leviticus 19:11

Coveting is forbidden

Exodus 20:17 pp Deuteronomy 5:21 See also Leviticus 19:17-18; Job 31:9-12; Romans 7:7

The circumstances surrounding the giving of the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments written on stone tablets

Exodus 24:12 See also Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:9-10

The stone tablets broken

Exodus 32:19 Moses broke the stone tablets when he saw that the Israelites had sinned by making the golden calf. See also Deuteronomy 9:16-17

A second set of stone tablets made

Exodus 34:1,28 See also Deuteronomy 10:1-2

The second set of stone tablets put in the ark of the covenant

Exodus 40:20 See also Deuteronomy 10:1-2

See also

5040  murder
5061  sanctity of life
5104  Moses, foreshadower of Christ
5555  stealing
5731  parents
5800  blasphemy
6133  coveting
6242  adultery
7221  exodus, the
7428  Sabbath
8751  false witness
8768  idolatry