Exodus 20
Read Exodus 20 (WEB)+
1God spoke all these words, saying, 2“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3“You shall have no other gods before me. 4“You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7“You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. 8“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9You shall labor six days, and do all your work, 10but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. 12“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. 13“You shall not murder. 14“You shall not commit adultery. 15“You shall not steal. 16“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” 18All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. 19They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let God speak with us, lest we die.” 20Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.” 21The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where God was. 22Yahweh said to Moses, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside me. 24You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. 25If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. 26You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.’
World English Bible (public domain)
Listen to this chapter summary · ~1 min
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3
Summary
Exodus chapter 20 marks a crucial moment in the history of Israel as God reveals the Ten Commandments to His people at Mount Sinai. The chapter begins with God declaring His authority as the One who brought Israel out of Egypt, establishing the foundation for His laws. The commandments are divided into two sections: those that focus on the relationship between God and humanity and those that govern interpersonal relationships among people. This divine law is not just a set of rules but an expression of God's character and His desire for His people to live in harmony with Him and one another. The key themes in this chapter include the exclusivity of worship due to the command to have no other gods, the significance of rest as seen in the Sabbath commandment, and the ethical responsibilities that God places upon His people. The law serves as a guide for how to live rightly and justly in community, emphasizing the importance of love, respect, and honor. The giving of the commandments also highlights God's holiness and the serious nature of sin, making clear that moral integrity is foundational to a covenant relationship with Him. Theological significance lies in the understanding that these commandments are more than mere regulations; they reveal God's sovereignty, righteousness, and the gravity of our moral obligations. They reflect God’s intention for Israel to be a holy nation, set apart from others, and serve as a standard for all humanity. It is through these commandments that God establishes a covenant relationship with His people, emphasizing grace alongside the call to obedience. As such, they play a fundamental role in the moral framework of both the Old and New Testaments, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Christ.
Key Themes
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Exodus 20
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Exodus 20: frequently asked questions
What is Exodus 20 about?+
What is the key verse in Exodus 20?+
What are the main themes of Exodus 20?+
Studied in