What book of the Bible is the 10 Commandments in? The Ten Commandments, one of the most significant and influential texts in religious history, is found in the book of Exodus. This book is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, which is believed to have been written by Moses. The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian religious law and ethics, and they have had a profound impact on the moral and legal systems of many societies around the world.
The Ten Commandments are presented in two forms in the Bible: the first instance is in Exodus 20:1-17, where they are given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The second instance is in Exodus 34:12-28, where they are repeated with some slight variations. These commandments are considered the foundation of God’s law and the moral code for the Israelites.
Exodus 20:1-17 begins with the words, “And God spoke all these words, saying,” indicating the divine origin of the commandments. The first four commandments are concerned with the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing the importance of monotheism, reverence for God, and the sanctity of the Sabbath. The remaining six commandments focus on human relationships, including the prohibitions against murder, theft, adultery, and lying.
1. ‘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.’
2. ‘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.’
3. ‘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.’
4. ‘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.’
5. ‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.’
6. ‘You shall not murder.’
7. ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
8. ‘You shall not steal.’
9. ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.’
10. ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not desire 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.’
The Ten Commandments have been translated and interpreted in various ways throughout history, and they continue to be a source of moral guidance for many people today. Their presence in the book of Exodus highlights the importance of this text in the religious and cultural heritage of Judaism and Christianity.
