The Ten Commandments
Moses recalls his mediating place between the LORD and the fearful people, then gives the commands that guard Israel's relation to God alone. The section begins with deliverance from Egypt and forbids rival gods, idols, and misuse of the divine name.
A5t that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said: 6“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7You shall have no other gods before Me. 8You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. 9You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments. 11You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
The Sabbath command sets apart the seventh day for holy rest and extends that rest through the whole household, including servants, livestock, and the foreigner. Its pattern is tied to Israel's memory of slavery and the LORD's deliverance.
12Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work— neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox or donkey or any of your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest as you do. 15Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
The commandments then turn toward family and neighbor: parents are to be honored, and life, marriage, property, truth, and desire are to be guarded. Even inward coveting is named as a breach of covenant order.
16Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 17You shall not murder. 18You shall not commit adultery. 19You shall not steal. 20You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”