What Are the 10 Commandments? Exploring God’s Timeless Laws

The Ten Commandments are more than just ancient rules; they are a foundational moral code given by God to guide humanity towards a better life and a deeper relationship with Him. Delivered amidst dramatic displays of divine power at Mount Sinai, these commandments carry profound significance for believers and continue to resonate with timeless wisdom today. Understanding “What Are The 10 Commandments” is crucial for anyone seeking to live a righteous and fulfilling life.

The Origin and Importance of the Ten Commandments

The story of the Ten Commandments begins in the Book of Exodus. Following their liberation from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites journeyed to Mount Sinai. Here, in a scene marked by thunder, lightning, smoke, and the sound of a trumpet, God revealed Himself to Moses and delivered the Ten Commandments. This event, recounted in both Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, underscores the immense importance God placed on these laws. The dramatic setting served to impress upon the Israelites, and all subsequent generations, the divine authority and gravity of these commandments. They weren’t suggestions or cultural norms; they were direct mandates from the Creator.

These commandments are not simply a list of prohibitions; they are a reflection of God’s character and His desire for humanity. They provide a framework for just and compassionate living, addressing fundamental aspects of human behavior, from our relationship with God to our interactions with each other. Understanding “what are the 10 commandments” means recognizing their role in shaping ethical behavior and societal harmony for millennia.

The 10 Commandments: Different Lists and Numbering

While the core message remains consistent, the presentation and numbering of the Ten Commandments vary slightly across different religious traditions. The Bible itself presents two primary accounts in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Furthermore, Jewish, Catholic, and various Protestant traditions sometimes differ in how they group and number these commandments. It’s important to note that these numbering differences are largely matters of interpretation and emphasis, not contradictions in the divine law itself. Exploring these variations can actually enrich our understanding of “what are the 10 commandments” by highlighting different theological perspectives.

Short Form List (Standard Christian Numbering)

Often, the Ten Commandments are presented in a simplified, short form for easier memorization and teaching. This list reflects a common numbering system used in many Christian denominations:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
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.

The Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-17

The Book of Exodus provides the original, detailed account of the Ten Commandments. This version is foundational for understanding “what are the 10 commandments” in their full context:

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
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 the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which 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 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.”

The Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6-21

Deuteronomy 5 recounts Moses repeating the Ten Commandments to a new generation of Israelites. While largely similar to Exodus 20, there are subtle but significant variations, particularly in the fourth, fifth, and tenth commandments. These differences offer additional insights into the meaning and application of “what are the 10 commandments.”

1. “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.”
2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
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. “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”
5. “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which 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 wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Jewish Numbering of the Ten Commandments

Jewish tradition presents a slightly different numbering of the Ten Commandments. This perspective offers another valuable lens through which to understand “what are the 10 commandments.”

1. “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.”
2. “You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence. You shall not make yourself a carved image nor any likeness of that which is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the water beneath the earth. You shall not prostrate yourself to them nor worship them, for I am the Lord, your God.”
3. “You shall not take the Name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for The Lord will not absolve anyone who takes His Name in vain.”
4. “Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it. Six days shall you work and accomplish all your work; but the seventh day is Sabbath to the Lord, your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your animal, and the stranger within your gates—for in six days The Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it.”
5. “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened upon the land that the Lord, your God, gives 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 fellow.”
10. “You shall not covet your fellow’s house: you shall not covet your fellow’s wife, or his man servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your fellow.”

Catholic Numbering of the Ten Commandments

Similarly, the Catholic Church uses a specific numbering system, often presented in a short form for catechetical purposes. Understanding this tradition further clarifies “what are the 10 commandments” within a broader Christian context.

1. “I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.”
2. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”
3. “Remember to keep holy the LORD’s Day.”
4. “Honor your father and mother.”
5. “You shall not kill.”
6. “You shall not commit adultery.”
7. “You shall not steal.”
8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
9. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.”
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”

Infographic depicting the Ten Commandments lists with numbering variations across Christian and Jewish traditions.

Why Study and Understand the 10 Commandments?

Studying “what are the 10 commandments” is not just an academic exercise; it’s a journey into understanding God’s will and His design for human flourishing. These commandments offer profound benefits:

• Moral Compass: They provide a clear and timeless guide for ethical living, helping individuals discern right from wrong.
• Relationship with God: Obeying the commandments is presented as an expression of love and devotion to God, fostering a deeper spiritual connection.
• Harmonious Society: When these principles are followed, they contribute to more just, peaceful, and compassionate communities.
• Personal Growth: Striving to live by the Ten Commandments encourages self-reflection, repentance, and personal transformation.

In conclusion, the Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of faith and morality. Exploring “what are the 10 commandments” in their various forms and contexts allows for a richer appreciation of their enduring relevance and transformative power. For further study, explore resources like “The 10 Commandments and God’s Way of Life” and the video series “The 10 Commandments: A Matter of the Heart.”