The Ten Commandments

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The Ten Commandments: The Holy Law at Mount Sinai

Author: Martinus Vaicarius (Martin Vaik – Singularity)
www.salvationprayer.eu

Introduction

The Ten Commandments were given to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai amid thunder and fire, when God gave Moses two stone tablets on which the law was written. This event, which took place approximately three months after Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt, represents one of the most significant moments in both Jewish and Christian religious history.

God had chosen the people of Israel as His inheritance, to make them a holy people and a kingdom of priests. The Ten Commandments formed the foundation for this covenant between God and Israel. These were not merely a collection of rules, but lovingly given instructions to a people whom God had already redeemed and made free.

God’s law was never given as a ladder that unsaved people could climb to heaven. From the beginning, it was a pattern of life that God gave to people whom He had already made His own. Therefore, the Ten Commandments begin with God’s reminder of His relationship with the people: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

In Hebrew, these commandments are called “aseret ha-dvarim” or “ten words,” in Greek “dekálogos” or “ten words,” from which comes the Latin “decalogus” and the English “Decalogue.”

The Giving of the Commandments at Mount Sinai

Historical Scripture References

The complete text of the Ten Commandments is found in two places in the Bible:

  • Exodus 20:1-17 – The original giving of the commandments at Mount Sinai
  • Deuteronomy 5:6-21 – Moses’ repetition 40 years later

In both texts, the commandments are essentially identical, though some minor differences in wording occur, especially in the fourth commandment (about the Sabbath) and the fifth commandment (about honoring parents).

Context and Drama of the Giving

The biblical narrative describes that the mountain was covered in cloud, it trembled and was full of smoke, while lightning flashed and thunder mingled with the sound of a trumpet. On the morning of the sixth day of the month of Sivan, 50 days after leaving Egypt and six days after camping at the foot of Mount Sinai, the people of Israel were awakened by thunder, lightning, and a mighty horn blast.

Moses spent forty days and nights on the mountain, where God gave him the commandments in physical form – engraved on two stone tablets. These tablets were later placed in the Ark of the Covenant.

Interestingly, God spoke all ten commandments at once in a single moment, which is impossible for the human mind to comprehend. According to Jewish tradition, people died from the force of each commandment, and God then brought them back to life.

When Moses came down from the mountain with the first tablets, he shattered them in anger, seeing that the people were worshiping a golden calf – direct disobedience to God’s freshly given commandments. God then engraved the commandments on a new pair of tablets, which were placed in the Ark of the Covenant.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS – Complete Text

FIRST COMMANDMENT: “I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:6-7

Complete Text: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”

Explanation: The first commandment proclaims the foundation of monotheism – there is only one true God. This is not merely a philosophical statement about God’s existence, but a call to acknowledge God and build a relationship with Him even when it is difficult.

It is worth considering what other gods might try to take God’s place today: sex, money, and the belly; pleasures, possessions, and position; football, the company, and family. All of these are good gifts from God, but any of them can become a sin against the first commandment if the particular gift becomes more important to us than the Giver.

SECOND COMMANDMENT: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Complete Text: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

Explanation: The second commandment prohibits idolatry – creating a material representation of God or worshiping other divine beings. For the Israelites who had just fled from Egypt where polytheism reigned, this commandment was especially important.

Idolatry refers to a metaphysical economy where many different gods offer people different services in exchange for worship. This mindset says: if one god doesn’t give me what I want, I’ll go to another. The God of the Bible, however, demands exclusive loyalty.

Today, this can become anything we worship more than God – cars, clothes, sports, or even our work.

THIRD COMMANDMENT: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11

Complete Text: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Explanation: The third commandment requires that we give God’s name the respect it deserves. This commandment prohibits the misuse of God’s name in several ways:

  • Distorted claims – Using God’s name too quickly to approve one’s own agenda
  • Empty claims – Using God’s name as an oath or exclamation like “Oh my God!”, which does not give His name dignified treatment
  • Frivolous claims – Saying you believe in God while simultaneously finding Him less interesting than social media, His commandments less authoritative than your own desires
  • Presumptuous claims – Claiming God’s direct guidance by saying “The Lord told me,” using God’s name to approve one’s own ideas

FOURTH COMMANDMENT: “Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Complete Text (Exodus): “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

Complete Text (Deuteronomy): “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you… You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”

Explanation: God commanded His people to keep the Sabbath day for their benefit. God blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. This phrase in the Ten Commandments is a quote from the creation story in Genesis 2:3.

Interestingly, the Exodus version begins with the words “Remember the Sabbath day,” while Deuteronomy says “Observe the Sabbath day.” The rabbis say that both are accurate – God spoke both simultaneously, which is impossible for the human mind to comprehend.

God wanted His people to find joy in His word, to enjoy His creation, to celebrate beauty and love. The Sabbath is set apart to connect with God and with other people. No one was excluded from the commandment to rest – even foreigners, servants, and livestock had to rest on the Sabbath.

In Christian tradition, the Sabbath was transferred to Sunday, commemorating Christ’s resurrection on the first day of the week.

FIFTH COMMANDMENT: “Honor your father and your mother”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16

Complete Text: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Explanation: The fifth commandment seems to break what would otherwise be a perfect division in the Ten Commandments between commandments concerning our relationship with God and commandments concerning relationships with other people. Many scholars attempt to explain this apparent disproportion by referring to the parallel in our relationship between God and parents: both God and our parents are our partners in creation.

This commandment is not merely a legal requirement, but calls for deep respect for those who gave us life and upbringing. The promise “that your days may be long” shows that honoring parents creates a stable society from generation to generation.

SIXTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not murder”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17

Complete Text: “You shall not murder.”

Explanation: The sixth commandment protects the sanctity of human life. The Hebrew word “ratsach” refers specifically to unlawful killing or murder, not all forms of killing (such as in self-defense or war).

Jesus expanded this commandment in the Sermon on the Mount, explaining that it is not merely a prohibition of physical violence, but also a prohibition of anger and contempt: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder’… But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).

This commandment calls us to protect life in all its forms and to help our neighbors in all their needs.

SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not commit adultery”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18

Complete Text: “You shall not commit adultery.”

Explanation: The seventh commandment protects the sanctity and commitment of marriage. Men and women make promises to each other when they marry, which are important. Breaking these promises causes deep sorrow.

Jesus also expanded this commandment, explaining: “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). The commandment concerns not only physical faithfulness but also purity of heart.

This commandment protects not only the institution of marriage but also the family as the foundation of society and the welfare of children.

EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not steal”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19

Complete Text: “You shall not steal.”

Explanation: The eighth commandment protects personal property and requires honesty in all things. It prohibits not only direct theft but also all forms of deception and dishonesty – counterfeit goods, cunning business dealings, tax evasion.

Positively expressed, this commandment calls us to help our fellow human beings in preserving and growing their property, to be careful with others’ possessions and income.

In Jewish teaching, this also includes the commandment “you shall not rob” and “you shall not kidnap,” protecting people’s freedom.

NINTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20

Complete Text: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Explanation: The ninth commandment requires honesty, especially concerning others’ reputation and dignity. This commandment was originally in the context of the court system – a prohibition against giving false testimony in a legal case, which could lead to an innocent person’s execution.

In a broader sense, this commandment includes:

  • Telling lies about another person
  • Spreading gossip
  • Betraying others
  • Any backbiting

Positively, it calls us to defend others’ good name, to speak in their defense, and to turn all things to the good.

TENTH COMMANDMENT: “You shall not covet…”

Scripture Reference: Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21

Complete Text: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Explanation: The tenth commandment is unique because it concerns not actions but attitudes of the heart. To covet means to be so envious of something someone else has that you desperately want it.

This commandment shows that God evaluates not only our actions but also our thoughts and desires. It warns us against falling into the trap of comparison and discontent, where we always believe others have it better than we do.

Since God created each person uniquely, each of us is meant to live our own life, not someone else’s.

Structure and Meaning of the Commandments

Division of the Two Tablets

The traditional understanding is that the commandments were written on two tablets:

  • The first three or four commandments – duties toward God
  • The remaining six or seven commandments – duties toward people

Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two commands: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).

Universal Significance of the Commandments

The Ten Commandments form the cornerstone of Jewish law (Halakha), connecting and supporting all other commandments and guiding Jewish rituals and ethics. Most Christian traditions regard the Ten Commandments as divinely authoritative and the foundation of moral life, though they differ in interpretation, emphasis, and application within their theological frameworks.

Pope Benedict XVI described the commandments as “great fundamental ethical principles,” saying: if a person ignores the commandments in their life, then they not only alienate themselves from God and renounce the covenant with Him, but also distance themselves from life and lasting happiness.

Conclusion

The Ten Commandments are much more than an ancient list of laws. They are life teachings given by a loving God who desires the happiness and flourishing of His people. The commandments are not oppressive orders but “ten words” – God’s dialogue with us, an invitation to respond to His love with faithfulness and righteousness.

Pope Francis characterized the Ten Commandments as “loving words, not oppressive orders,” noting that a command is a communication that does not require dialogue, but a word is an essential means of relationship as dialogue.

Today, the Ten Commandments still call us to live in a way that honors God and our fellow human beings, protects life and dignity, upholds truth and justice, and strives for love and holiness in all we do.

About the Author

Martinus Vaicarius (Martin Vaik – Singularity) is a theologian, author of Estonian and English spiritual literature, and spiritual thinker whose work combines confessional depth and ecumenical dialogue. He is dedicated to exploring Christian unity and the church’s witness in a multicultural world. His work focuses on promoting Christian prayer, spiritual renewal, and inner peace at an international level, and he leads the theological platform SalvationPrayer.eu. Martin Vaik is committed to sharing God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, bringing people closer to Jesus Christ through prayer and spiritual teaching. His writings are based on deep knowledge of God and personal spiritual experience of God’s presence.

Martinus Vaicarius’s mission is to:

  • Provide spiritual support and guidance to people seeking peace and hope
  • Create prayer texts that bring God’s peace to hearts suffering under fear and anxiety
  • Promote deep understanding of the power of the God of Sabaoth and the protection of the heavenly hosts
  • Help people enter the spiritual sphere where God’s peace reigns over all

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