Ten Commandments Given
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Book: Exodus 19-20
- Summary: God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing the foundation of the Mosaic Law.
Details
Israel camped at Mount Sinai. Moses went up to God, who offered to make Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The mountain was covered with smoke, thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud. The people were so afraid they stood at a distance.
God spoke the Ten Commandments directly:
- No other gods before Me
- No graven images
- Do not take the LORD’s name in vain
- Remember the Sabbath day
- Honor father and mother
- Do not murder
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal
- Do not bear false witness
- Do not covet
The people were terrified and asked Moses to speak to them instead of God. God wrote the commandments on two tablets of stone.
Key People Involved
- Moses — Received the tablets
- God — Spoke the commandments
Important Verses
- “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3
- “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” — Exodus 20:8
- “And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” — Exodus 34:28
Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 5: — Second giving of the Ten Commandments
- Matthew 5:17-20 — Jesus upholds the Law
- Matthew 19:16-19 — Jesus quotes the commandments
- Romans 13:8-10 — Love fulfills the law
- Ephesians 6:2 — Honor parents