Bible 10 Commandments Full List Meaning and Where to Find Them

You’ll find the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, where God establishes His covenant with Israel through moral imperatives that’ve shaped Western law for three millennia. These commands prohibit polytheism, idolatry, blasphemy, and Sabbath-breaking while protecting family honor, life, marriage, property, and truth. The Hebrew terms reveal deeper meanings—”ratzach” specifically forbids unlawful killing, while “ḥāmad” targets covetous desires that precede sinful actions, distinguishing biblical law from ancient Near Eastern codes that regulated only external behavior.

Key Takeaways

• The Ten Commandments appear in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21, with slight variations in wording between the two biblical accounts.
• The commandments include: no other gods, no idols, don’t misuse God’s name, keep Sabbath, honor parents, don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t covet.
• The first four commandments focus on humanity’s relationship with God, while the last six address relationships between people.
• Each commandment carries deeper meaning beyond literal interpretation, such as “murder” referring to unlawful killing distinct from warfare or capital punishment.
• Jesus affirmed the commandments’ importance, summarizing them as loving God completely and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).

First Commandment: You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me

The First Commandment establishes the foundational principle of biblical monotheism: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). This declaration of divine exclusivity emerged within the polytheistic context of the ancient Near East, where nations typically worshiped multiple deities. You’re called to recognize Yahweh’s singular sovereignty over all creation and life.

The commandment’s Hebrew phrase “al-panay” (before me/in my presence) emphasizes that no deity can stand alongside Israel’s God. This idolatry rejection extends beyond carved images to encompass any rival allegiance that displaces God’s primacy—whether material possessions, political powers, or personal ambitions. Ancient Israel’s repeated struggles with Canaanite Baals and Asherah worship demonstrate the commandment’s perpetual relevance.

You’ll find this principle reinforced throughout Scripture, from the Shema’s declaration “The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4) to Jesus’s affirmation that loving God completely constitutes the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

Second Commandment: You Shall Not Make Graven Images or Idols

Building upon monotheism’s foundation, the Second Commandment addresses worship’s proper form: “You shan’t make for yourself an idol” (Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10).

The Second Commandment transcends mere prohibition, establishing worship’s authentic framework beyond physical representations toward genuine divine encounter.

This prohibition extends beyond physical statues to encompass any carved image or likeness of heavenly, earthly, or aquatic beings intended for veneration.

You’ll find this commandment’s legal implications shaped ancient Israel’s distinctive aniconic worship tradition, contrasting sharply with surrounding Near Eastern cultures’ elaborate image theology.

The Hebrew term “pesel” denotes carved objects, while “temunah” refers to any representational form. This comprehensive ban prevented Israel from reducing YHWH to manageable, controllable forms.

Throughout history, you’ve witnessed debates over icon worship’s legitimacy, from Byzantine Iconoclasm (726-843 CE) to Protestant Reformation disputes.

Modern cultural idolatry transcends physical objects—you’re confronted with ideological, materialistic, and technological substitutes for divine worship. The commandment’s enduring relevance challenges you to examine what ultimately commands your devotion and shapes your identity.

Third Commandment: You Shall Not Take the Lord’s Name in Vain

Speaking God’s name carelessly violates the Third Commandment’s sacred boundary: “You shan’t take the name of the LORD your God in vain” (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11). The Hebrew term “shav” translates to “emptiness” or “falsehood,” indicating you shouldn’t invoke God’s name for worthless purposes.

Sacred name theology reveals this commandment’s depth extends beyond cultural profanity standards. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, names embodied personal essence and authority. When you misuse God’s name through false oaths, broken vows, or manipulative religious claims, you’re attacking His character and credibility.

The prohibition encompasses various violations: perjury sworn in God’s name, hypocritical worship, and using divine authority to justify evil actions. Jewish tradition developed protective measures, substituting “Adonai” for the Tetragrammaton YHWH. You’ll find Jesus expanded this principle in Matthew 5:33-37, teaching that your word alone should suffice without invoking heaven’s witness. This commandment ultimately demands you treat God’s reputation with absolute reverence.

Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day to Keep It Holy

Observing a weekly day of rest distinguishes the Fourth Commandment as the Bible’s longest and most detailed directive: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15).

You’ll find two distinct rationales for this command: Exodus grounds it in creation when God rested on the seventh day, while Deuteronomy connects it to Israel’s liberation from Egyptian slavery.

The Hebrew word “shabbat” means cessation, establishing Sabbath rhythms that structure time itself.

You’re commanded to work six days and rest on the seventh, mirroring divine activity. This rest theology extends beyond personal refreshment—it encompasses your household, servants, animals, and foreign residents, demonstrating social justice principles.

Ancient Israel’s Sabbath observance marked them as distinct among Near Eastern cultures.

You’ll notice the command isn’t merely prohibitive but prescriptive: “remember” (zakhor) and “observe” (shamor) indicate both mental commemoration and practical implementation. This divine mandate transforms ordinary time into sacred space.

Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother

In ancient Near Eastern societies, elder respect wasn’t merely cultural courtesy but survival necessity. You’d care for aging parents who lacked retirement systems or social security.

The Hebrew word “kabed” (honor) literally means “to give weight” – you’re commanded to treat parents with gravity and significance.

Paul reaffirms this principle in Ephesians 6:2-3, calling it “the first commandment with a promise.” Your obedience establishes a filial legacy that shapes generational blessing.

Jesus condemned Pharisees who circumvented parental support through religious loopholes (Mark 7:9-13), demonstrating that you can’t claim godliness while neglecting family obligations. This commandment bridges vertical worship with horizontal ethics.

Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Murder

The sixth commandment, “You shan’t murder” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17), establishes the inviolability of human life as God’s image-bearers (Genesis 1:27), distinguishing between prohibited murder (ratsach in Hebrew) and legally sanctioned killing in warfare or capital punishment.

You’ll find Scripture’s condemnation of murder exemplified in Cain’s slaying of Abel (Genesis 4:8-12), Herod’s massacre of Bethlehem’s infants (Matthew 2:16-18), and David’s orchestration of Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:14-17), each demonstrating divine judgment against those who shed innocent blood.

This commandment’s contemporary relevance extends beyond physical homicide to encompass issues of abortion, euthanasia, and Jesus’s expansion in Matthew 5:21-22 that you’re guilty of murder’s root when harboring hatred toward another person.

Sanctity of Life

Throughout ancient Near Eastern law codes, prohibitions against murder consistently appear as foundational principles of civilized society, yet the sixth commandment‘s Hebrew formulation—לֹא תִרְצָח (lo tirtzach)—carries distinctive theological weight that transcends mere legal prescription.

You’ll find this commandment establishes humanity’s divine image (Genesis 1:27) as the foundation for life’s inviolability. The verb רָצַח specifically denotes unlawful killing, distinguishing it from הָרַג (harag) or מוּת (muth), which encompass broader categories of death.

Modern sanctity debates in medical ethics wrestle with this principle’s application to euthanasia, abortion, and capital punishment. You’re confronting questions the ancient text didn’t explicitly address: When does life begin? Who determines death’s timing?

Jewish and Christian interpreters haven’t reached consensus, though most affirm the commandment’s protection extends beyond prohibiting personal vengeance to encompass systemic justice concerns.

Biblical Murder Examples

When Cain’s blood-soaked hands testified to Abel’s murder (Genesis 4:8-10), Scripture recorded its first homicide—establishing a narrative pattern that would recur throughout the biblical text with devastating frequency.

You’ll find multiple case studies demonstrating murder’s consequences: David’s orchestration of Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:14-17), Jezebel’s judicial murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-16), and Herod’s slaughter of Bethlehem’s infants (Matthew 2:16-18).

Scripture distinguishes between intentional killing and manslaughter (Numbers 35:16-25), establishing cities of refuge for accidental deaths.

You’ll notice biblical justifications for capital punishment appear in Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:4, while warfare killings receive different treatment (Deuteronomy 20:1-4).

These distinctions reveal murder’s specific definition: unlawful, premeditated killing motivated by malice, hatred, or personal gain.

Modern Application Today

While ancient biblical prohibitions against murder addressed physical violence, you’ll find today’s application extends far beyond literal killing to encompass systemic violence, environmental destruction, and digital harm. You’re confronting workplace ethics when companies prioritize profits over employee safety, violating the commandment’s preservation-of-life principle. Your consumer habits affect global communities through supply chains that exploit laborers or destroy ecosystems—forms of slow violence theologians now recognize as murderous.

Religious pluralism challenges you to consider how sectarian hatred breeds violence, while digital worship spaces must address cyberbullying’s psychological destruction. Contemporary ethicists argue you’re responsible for institutional participation in lethal systems: military contractors, pharmaceutical price-gouging, and climate degradation. The sixth commandment’s modern interpretation demands you examine complicity in structures causing premature death, expanding moral culpability beyond individual acts to collective responsibility.

Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery

You’ll find the seventh commandment in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18, where God prohibits adultery as a violation of the marriage covenant established in Genesis 2:24.

This command protected the sanctity of marriage in ancient Israel through severe penalties (Leviticus 20:10) and extends beyond physical infidelity to encompass lustful thoughts according to Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:27-28.

In contemporary society, you’re called to uphold marital fidelity while recognizing that this commandment addresses broader issues of sexual integrity, covenant faithfulness, and the protection of families within the community of faith.

Biblical Definition of Adultery

The seventh commandment’s prohibition against adultery appears in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 with identical Hebrew wording: “לֹא תִנְאָף” (lo tin’af), literally “you shan’t commit adultery.”

In ancient Israelite law, adultery specifically referred to sexual relations between a married woman and any man other than her husband, as outlined in Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22-24.

You’ll find this narrow definition reflected the patriarchal structure where women were considered their husband’s property.

The penalty for adultery was death for both parties (Leviticus 20:10). This severe punishment underscored the importance of marital fidelity in maintaining social order and inheritance rights.

While the technical definition focused on married women’s sexual ethics, prophetic literature expanded the concept metaphorically, comparing Israel’s unfaithfulness to God with adultery (Jeremiah 3:8-9, Ezekiel 16:32).

Marriage Covenant Protection

Beyond its legal dimensions, the seventh commandment establishes divine protection for the marriage covenant as a foundational institution in Israelite society. You’ll find that ancient Israel viewed marriage not merely as a social contract but as a sacred bond requiring divine witness (Malachi 2:14).

The commandment’s placement within the Decalogue reinforces covenant boundaries that safeguard both marital trust and communal stability.

In Deuteronomy 22:13-29, you’ll observe how protection rituals surrounded marriage consummation, including the preservation of virginity tokens as legal evidence. These practices weren’t arbitrary—they reflected the spiritual unity between spouses that mirrored Yahweh’s covenant with Israel (Hosea 2:19-20).

The prophets consistently employed marriage metaphors to describe Israel’s relationship with God, demonstrating how adultery violated both human and divine covenants simultaneously.

Modern Application Today

While contemporary society’s sexual ethics have shifted dramatically from ancient Near Eastern norms, the seventh commandment‘s principles continue to inform modern theological discourse on marital fidelity and sexual integrity.

You’ll find contemporary applications extending beyond physical adultery to encompass digital infidelity through online relationships and pornography consumption. Technology ethics now intersect with this commandment as virtual platforms create unprecedented opportunities for emotional affairs and boundary violations (cf. Matthew 5:28‘s emphasis on lustful intent).

You’re also confronted with workplace integrity challenges where professional relationships demand careful navigation of appropriate boundaries.

Modern theologians like Stanley Hauerwas argue that the commandment’s scope includes protecting covenantal trust in all committed relationships, not merely preventing sexual transgression. Today’s application requires you to consider how digital communication, social media interactions, and professional conduct either honor or violate the commandment’s underlying principle of faithfulness.

Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Steal

Stealing universally violates fundamental principles of justice and property rights that undergird civilized society, making the eighth commandment’s prohibition essential to communal life in ancient Israel and beyond. You’ll find this commandment in Exodus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 5:19, where Hebrew verb “ganav” encompasses theft, kidnapping, and deceptive business practices.

Ancient Near Eastern law codes like Hammurabi’s prescribed severe penalties for theft, but biblical law uniquely emphasized restorative justice through restitution payments (Exodus 22:1-4). You’re seeing this principle’s influence in modern criminal justice reforms that prioritize victim compensation over incarceration.

Today’s applications extend beyond material theft. You encounter this commandment’s relevance in intellectual property disputes, wage theft, and digital piracy. Mental health professionals now recognize kleptomania counseling as essential for treating compulsive stealing disorders. Early Christian communities practiced communal ownership (Acts 4:32), demonstrating how respecting property rights doesn’t negate generous sharing but rather establishes the foundation for voluntary generosity.

Ninth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness

You’ll find the Ninth Commandment in Exodus 20:16 and Deuteronomy 5:20, where it specifically prohibits giving false testimony against your neighbor in legal proceedings, reflecting ancient Israel’s judicial system where witness testimony could determine life or death outcomes.

The Hebrew term “ed sheker” (false witness) appears throughout scripture in cases like Jezebel’s conspiracy against Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-16) and the false accusations against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-61), demonstrating how perjury destroys both individual lives and communal justice.

Today, you’re called to apply this commandment beyond courtrooms to all forms of truth-telling, recognizing that bearing false witness includes spreading misinformation, character assassination, and any deceptive speech that harms another person’s reputation or well-being.

What False Witness Means

The ninth commandment cuts to the heart of judicial integrity and communal trust in ancient Israel, where bearing false witness against one’s neighbor constituted not merely a social transgression but a fundamental violation of covenantal law (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20).

You’d find that false testimony in ancient Near Eastern courts could result in capital punishment, as evidenced in Hammurabi’s Code and later Jewish legal reform under the principle of lex talionis (Deuteronomy 19:16-21).

The perjury consequences weren’t limited to legal penalties—you’d face severe reputational harm within tightly-knit communities where trust formed society’s foundation.

This commandment protected vulnerable citizens from malicious prosecution while establishing truth-telling as essential to covenant faithfulness, extending beyond courtroom settings to encompass all forms of deceptive speech that could damage your neighbor’s standing.

Biblical Examples and Context

When examining biblical narratives that illustrate the ninth commandment‘s violation, you’ll discover that false testimony appears throughout Scripture as a destructive force that undermines divine justice and human relationships.

You’ll find the earliest example in Genesis 39:14-18, where Potiphar’s wife bears false witness against Joseph, resulting in his imprisonment.

The prophetic narratives present Jezebel’s orchestrated perjury against Naboth (1 Kings 21:10-13), employing ritual symbolism through two false witnesses as required by Deuteronomic law, perverting the very system meant to ensure justice.

In Daniel 13, you’ll encounter Susanna’s accusers who weaponize false testimony for sexual coercion.

Christ’s trial showcases the ultimate violation when contradictory witnesses testify against Him (Matthew 26:59-61), demonstrating how religious authorities corrupted their sacred judicial processes through deliberate perjury.

Modern Day Applications

In contemporary society, the ninth commandment‘s prohibition against false witness extends far beyond courtroom perjury to encompass digital misinformation, social media defamation, and corporate fraud that damages reputations and destroys lives with unprecedented speed and scale.

You’re called to practice Christian charity by verifying information before sharing it online, recognizing that unchecked rumors can devastate individuals within hours. Consider implementing a Digital Sabbath to disconnect from platforms that incentivize sensationalism over truth.

When you encounter false allegations against others, you must actively counter disinformation rather than remaining silent. Your workplace demands similar vigilance—whether you’re writing performance reviews, filing reports, or testifying in investigations.

Modern technology amplifies both truth and falsehood exponentially, making your commitment to honest testimony more critical than ever for maintaining justice and social cohesion.

Tenth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet

Coveting represents the Bible’s most internally focused prohibition, addressing not merely external actions but the desires of the human heart itself.

Coveting uniquely prohibits not just external actions but the interior desires that precede sinful behavior.

Exodus 20:17 commands you not to covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, or possessions. This commandment uniquely targets covetry psychology—the mental state preceding theft, adultery, and murder.

Ancient Near Eastern law codes like Hammurabi’s regulated behavior, not thoughts. Yet this commandment penetrates deeper, recognizing that desire restraint prevents sin’s manifestation.

The Hebrew term “ḥāmad” implies both longing and scheming to obtain what isn’t yours.

You’re confronting this daily through consumer culture‘s engineered dissatisfaction and social comparison’s digital amplification. Instagram feeds and targeted advertising exploit the same psychological vulnerabilities the tenth commandment addresses.

Paul later expanded this principle in Romans 7:7, identifying covetousness as the gateway sin that revealed his need for grace. You’ll find freedom not through acquisition but through contentment with God’s provision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Commandments Did Jesus Give in the New Testament?

Jesus gave numerous commandments in the New Testament, but you’ll find His core teaching in the greatest commandment: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).

He established the new covenant through His blood (Luke 22:20), transforming Mosaic law.

You can identify approximately 50 direct commands throughout the Gospels, including “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) and “do not judge” (Matthew 7:1), reshaping first-century Jewish ethics.

Are the Ten Commandments Found in Both Exodus and Deuteronomy?

Yes, you’ll find the Ten Commandments in both Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. While the Hebrew versions contain slight textual variations between these passages, manuscript evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls confirms both accounts’ authenticity.

You’ll notice differences in the Sabbath commandment’s rationale and minor wording changes. These dual recordings reflect distinct liturgical uses in ancient Israel’s worship, with Deuteronomy representing Moses’ recapitulation before entering the Promised Land.

Did Moses Break the Original Stone Tablets Containing the Commandments?

Yes, you’ll find that Moses broke the original tablets. According to Exodus 32:19, when he descended Mount Sinai and witnessed the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, Moses’ anger burned intensely.

He threw down the divinely inscribed stones, and the shattered tablets represented the covenant’s breach. You can read how God later commanded Moses to carve replacement tablets (Exodus 34:1), demonstrating divine mercy despite Israel’s apostasy and the destruction of the original covenant stones.

What Is the Difference Between Catholic and Protestant Numbering of Commandments?

You’ll find Catholic numbering combines the prohibitions against other gods and graven images into one commandment, following Augustine’s interpretation from the 5th century.

Protestant numbering, established during the Reformation, separates these into two distinct commandments, adhering to Origen’s 3rd-century division.

Catholics then split coveting into two commandments (ninth and tenth), while Protestants maintain it as one.

Both traditions preserve ten commandments total, reflecting different theological emphases in interpreting Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21.

Are Christians Still Required to Follow Old Testament Commandments Today?

You’ll find Christians divided on Old Testament law continuity. Reformed theology maintains the moral law remains binding (Westminster Confession 19.5), while dispensationalists emphasize Christian liberty from Mosaic regulations (Galatians 5:1).

Most agree that ceremonial laws ended with Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18), but debate continues regarding civil laws.

Paul’s writings suggest you’re “not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14), yet Jesus affirmed the law’s enduring principles (Matthew 5:17-19).

Conclusion

You’ve explored the foundational moral code that’s shaped Western civilization for over three millennia since Moses received them at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:4-21). These divine imperatives don’t merely prohibit actions—they establish humanity’s covenant relationship with God and ethical obligations toward others. As you’ll discover through deeper study, the Decalogue‘s influence extends beyond religious practice into jurisprudence, philosophy, and social ethics, remaining remarkably relevant to contemporary moral discourse across diverse cultural contexts.