Exodus chapter 20
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“This is My Name FOREVER, and this
is My Memorial to ALL Generations.” Shemot
- Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My
glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu – Isaiah 42:8. (JPS)
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And
a comparison with Chapter 5.
“Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS - 1917).
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Shemot – Exodus chapter 20 (and chapter 5) details אֱלֹהִים (God) establishing His covenant with us, the Israelites, at Mount *Horeb by giving them the עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְּרוֹת - “Aseret ha-Dibberot” - “Ten Commandments”, a foundational moral law for a holy community. The Ten Commandments emphasize worshipping the one and only true אֱלֹהִים (God), honouring family, respecting life and property, and maintaining faithful relationships. This chapter also describes the people's fearful reaction to אֱלֹהִים (God’s) powerful presence, their request for Moses to mediate, and his reassuring response to foster a reverential fear of אֱלֹהִים (God) to prevent sin.
Let us now read Chapter 20: Vs 1 to 22, and get the full picture. (JPS).
1 And אֱלֹהִים (God) spoke all these words, saying: 2 ‘I am יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God), who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. 3 Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 4 thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God) am a jealous אֱלֹהִים (God), visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; 5 and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments. 6 Thou shalt not take the Name of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God) in vain; for יְהוָה (the LORD) will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.
7 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 8 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; 9 but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God), in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 10 for in six days יְהוָה (the LORD) made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day; wherefore יְהוָה (the LORD) blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. 11 Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God) giveth thee. 12 Thou shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 13 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s’.
14 And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the voice of the horn, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled, and stood afar off. 15 And they said unto Moses: ‘Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not אֱלֹהִים (God) speak with us, lest we die’. 16 And Moses said unto the people: ‘Fear not; for אֱלֹהִים (God) is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before you, that ye sin not.’ 17 And the people stood afar off; but Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where אֱלֹהִים (God) was. 18 And יְהוָה (the LORD) said unto Moses: ‘Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel: Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 19 Ye shall not make with Me-gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you. 20 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in every place where I cause My Name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee. 21 And if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it. 22 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon’”.
Interesting Thoughts and Explanations on Shemot - Exodus 20:1-22:
At the outset chapter 20 opens with a prologue that identifies the LORD as both Redeemer and Lawgiver. This framing “I am יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - (the LORD thy God), who brought you out …”... asserts that obedience arises from freedom granted, not mere duty, reminding Israel that law is an extension of divine deliverance.
אֱלֹהִים (God’s) revelation at *Horeb, thunder, lightning, trumpet blasts, smoke does more than awe the people; it establishes covenant authority through dramatic spectacle. Kalisch called this event the greatest in human history to that point, arguing that a clear moral code was vital to correct primitive societies’ confused sense of right and wrong.
* Moses met אֱלֹהִים (God) at Mt. Horeb at all times, the new name of Sinai was added much later, for the word Sinai simply means ‘wilderness’ thus speaking not about a mountain, but the actual wilderness they traveled in for 40 long Years. It was much later that certain scribes changed the name of Mt. Horeb to Sinai.
The Decalogue splits neatly into duties toward אֱלֹהִים (God) (verses 3–7) and duties toward fellow humans (verses 8–17). This two-tablet structure balances vertical and horizontal ethics, teaching that true worship cannot be separated from justice, mercy, and social harmony.
A distinctive feature of the second commandment is its absolute ban on crafting divine images, directly countering the idol worship of Egypt and Canaan. By forbidding any physical representation of אֱלֹהִים (God), Israel’s deity is proclaimed wholly transcendent and beyond human artistry.
The third commandment safeguards אֱלֹהִים (God’s) Name from misuse, embedding reverence for the divine character into ordinary speech. Coupled with the Sabbath command tying rest to the creation narrative these laws cultivate a community rhythmed by memory, respect, and holy pause.
Verses 18–21 capture a fascinating paradox of intimacy and distance: the people tremble and insist Moses mediate, yet אֱלֹהִים (God) draws near “in thick darkness.” This dynamic highlights human frailty before the divine and the vital role of leadership and intercession in bridging that gap.
Finally, verse 22 shifts from moral imperatives to practical worship instructions, prohibiting tools on stone altars. This detail echoes the ban on idols worship must spring from humble devotion rather than crafted perfection, ensuring purity of ritual practice.
Side-by-Side Layout of the
Decalogue (JPS 1917):
|
Command |
Exodus
20 (JPS 1917) |
Deuteronomy
5 (JPS 1917) |
|
Preamble
(20:2 ∕ 5:6) |
I
am the יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
(LORD thy God), who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the
house of bondage. |
I
am יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the
LORD thy God), who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage. |
|
No
other gods (20:3 ∕ 5:7) |
Thou
shalt have no other gods before Me. |
Thou
shalt have no other gods before Me. |
|
No
graven images (20:4–6 ∕ 5:8–10) |
Thou
shalt not make unto thee a graven image, even any manner of likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is
in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve
them; for I יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
(the LORD thy God) am a jealous אֱלֹהִים(God), visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation
of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of
them that love Me and keep My commandments. |
Thou
shalt not make unto thee a carved image, even any manner of likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is
in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve
them; for I יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
(the LORD thy God) am a jealous אֱלֹהִים (God), visiting
the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation
of them that hate Me, but showing mercy to the thousandth generation of them
that love Me and keep My commandments. |
|
Not
take God’s name in vain (20:7 ∕ 5:11) |
Thou
shalt not take the name of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God() in vain; for the LORD
will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in
vain. |
Thou
shalt not take the name of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God) in vain; for the LORD
will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in
vain. |
|
Sabbath
(20:8–11 ∕ 5:12–15) |
Remember
the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt
thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the sabbath of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God); in it thou shalt not
do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is
within thy gates; for in six days ְהוָה
(the LORD) made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day; wherefore ְהוָה
(the LORD) blessed the sabbath day, and
hallowed it. |
Observe
the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD thy
God commanded thee. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the
seventh day is a sabbath unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God); in it thou shalt not
do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy
man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; and remember that thou
wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God) brought thee out
thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God) commanded thee to keep
the sabbath day. |
|
Honour
parents (20:12 ∕ 5:16) |
Honour
thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
(the LORD thy God) giveth thee. |
Honour
thy father and thy mother, as יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ(the LORD thy God) commanded thee; that
thy days may be long, and that it may go well with thee, upon the land which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ (the LORD thy God) giveth thee. |
|
Murder,
adultery, theft, false witness (20:13–16 ∕ 5:17) |
Thou
shalt not murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt
not bear false witness against thy neighbour. |
Thou
shalt not murder; Neither shalt thou commit adultery; Neither shalt thou
steal; Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. |
|
Coveting
(20:17 ∕ 5:18) |
Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s
wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his
ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s. |
Neither
shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s wife; neither shalt thou desire thy
neighbour’s house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his
ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbour’s. |
I pray that this study and with all it’s details will have given you a deeper and a better understanding of the wonderful blessings we were actually given, for remember, we are the “Chosen People”. For remember, what was written in Davarim - Deuteronomy chapter 7: verse 6 regarding His chosen ones, the Hebrews!
“יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ (The LORD thy
God) hath chosen thee to be His own treasure”.
And there are other statements saying the same.
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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen
the Conversation:
Which part of this Tanach study or possibly a
particular line within it, has touched
you the most? And how do you feel about spending more time on a more
regular time Tanakh study? I pray that you are you doing well as a faithful
Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you
are upholding as many of our blessed Mitzvoth’s?
I am well aware that the modern world sadly
contains far too many deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way. Yet worse
than that, sadly there are far too many enticements, which can so easily throw
many off track. Thus, if there
are various struggles that may be taking place in your life at this or any
time, I am well aware that it sadly it often may have a sad and a cruel effect
upon your life? Remember this, pray for peace, and then work on
keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים is always ready to help you! This
site is also for those who need to return to our blessed and wonderful faith,
thus work on your faith and pray and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
And remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said ...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה - the LORD
of hosts”. Mal’a’chi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your
Sabbath Rest - Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the
LORD your God); walk in My statutes, and keep
Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH Elohim”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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is as follows;
“The More
Torah, the More Life”,
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom (Peace) of צְבָאוֹת-
יְהוָה(the LORD of hosts) be with you, and please always uphold our
blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well
as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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