Law & History Exodus Old Testament Medium

Exodus (also repeated in Deuteronomy).

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai and are recorded in Exodus 20 (and repeated, with some variation, in Deuteronomy 5). They form the foundation of the law given to Israel.

Which book of the Bible contains the Ten Commandments?
👉 Exodus (also repeated in Deuteronomy).

Written by the finger of God

Unlike most of the law, which Moses relayed to the people, the Ten Commandments are described as being written directly onto stone tablets “by the finger of God.” Moses later smashed the first set in anger after finding the Israelites worshipping a golden calf while he was still on the mountain, and had to return for a second set. The commandments cover both a person’s relationship with God — no other gods, no idols, honour the Sabbath — and their relationship with others — don’t murder, steal, lie, or covet.