The Ten Commandments
Exodus 19:1–20:21
God came down to a mountain and gave humanity its moral foundation.
Three months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites camp at the base of Mount Sinai. God descends on the mountain in fire and smoke. The ground shakes. A trumpet blasts louder and louder. The people are told not to touch the mountain or they'll die. Then God speaks — and the words he speaks become the bedrock of Western law and ethics. Ten commandments, covering everything from the nature of God to how neighbors should treat each other. No other gods. No idols. Don't murder, steal, lie, or covet. Honor your parents. Keep the sabbath. The people tremble and beg Moses to be their go-between.
- Law
- Covenant
- Holiness
- Moral Foundation
The Ten Commandments: common questions
Where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments?
At Mount Sinai, about three months after Israel left Egypt (Exodus 19:1). The mountain was covered in smoke and fire, and God spoke the Ten Commandments aloud to the whole people before giving the rest of the law to Moses.
What are the Ten Commandments?
In Exodus 20:2-17: no other gods; no idols; do not misuse God's name; keep the Sabbath; honor your parents; do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not give false testimony; do not covet.
Why were the people afraid at Mount Sinai?
Exodus 20:18-19 says that when the people saw the thunder, lightning, smoking mountain, and trumpet blast, they trembled and stood far off, begging Moses to speak with God on their behalf so that they would not die.
