The Ten Commandments - List, Biblical Meaning, and Importance Explained

Ten Commandments Table of Contents

• 10 Commandments List
• The 10 Commandments Text in Exodus and Deuteronomy
• Meaning of the 10 Commandments
• Importance of the 10 Commandments
• Numbering Differences
• Jesus and the 10 Commandments
• The 10 Commandments for Today
• What Did Jesus Say?

The 10 Commandments were given to the nation of Israel through Moses. The nation of Israel was now free from slavery in Egypt and was camped around Mount Sinai when thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the sound of trumpets signaled God's presence. Moses met with God, and the 10 Commandments were written for the people to follow.

The Ten Commandments are a set of moral guidelines from the Bible that are meant to provide a basic code of conduct for believers to live by. The Ten Commandments are as follows:

The Ten Commandments List

1. Thou shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. (Exodus 20:4-6)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11)
5. Honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12)
6. Thou shalt not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
8. Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
9. Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)
10. Thou shall not covet your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17)

Where is the 10 Commandments in the Bible?

The context surrounding God giving Moses the Ten Commandments is deeply rooted in the story of the Exodus, a pivotal event in Jewish and Christian religious history.

God’s chosen people, Israel, had suffered under Egyptian bondage for over 400 years. He heard their cries, and from a burning bush, God commissioned Moses to lead His people to freedom. Three months after the Exodus, the Israelites found themselves camped in the wilderness of Sinai.   It was here that Moses ascended the mountain to commune with God.

At the foot of Mt. Sinai, God spoke to Moses again and gave him an important message to relay to the thousands of wandering Israelites. “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” (Exodus 19:4-6) 

Before that time, God had not issued an official set of laws or specific regulations for His people to obey, nor were they aware of His new covenant. But that would soon be remedied. After two days of consecration and preparation, the people of Israel gathered around the foot of the mountain to hear the word of the Lord. 

Only Moses and Aaron were permitted to ascend Mt. Sinai to be in God’s near presence, but God’s voice thundered through smoke, fire, earthquake, and trumpet blast to reach the ears of the trembling masses standing at the mountain's foot.

During this encounter, which is described in the biblical book of Exodus, God spoke directly to Moses and revealed the Ten Commandments. These commandments were given as a moral and ethical code for the Israelites to follow, shaping their religious and social practices. They covered various aspects of life, including worshiping God alone, honoring parents, refraining from murder, theft, adultery, false testimony, and coveting.

The scene is depicted as dramatic and awe-inspiring, with thunder, lightning, and the sound of a trumpet heralding the divine presence. The commandments were inscribed on two stone tablets, which Moses brought down from the mountain and presented to the people.

This event is central to the identity and faith of both Jewish and Christian traditions, symbolizing the covenant between God and the people of Israel and laying the foundation for their religious and moral principles.

The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20

1 And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13 “You shall not murder.

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

15 “You shall not steal.

16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

The 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5

In the book of Deuteronomy, the context of the Ten Commandments is part of Moses' farewell speeches to the Israelites. As they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land, Moses reiterates the commandments as a crucial part of reaffirming the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Moses emphasizes the importance of obedience to these commandments, urging the Israelites to follow them diligently. He also provides additional commentary and context, connecting the commandments to broader principles of justice, righteousness, and communal well-being.

The repetition of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy serves several purposes:

1. Educational Reinforcement: By repeating the commandments, Moses ensures that they are firmly established in the hearts and minds of the Israelites. This repetition serves as a reminder and reinforcement of their significance.

2. Renewal of Covenant: The reiteration of the commandments is part of the renewal of the covenant between God and the Israelites. As they prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses emphasizes the terms of the covenant and the obligations it places on them.

3. Integration with Legal Code: In Deuteronomy, the commandments are integrated into a broader legal and ethical framework. Moses elaborates on the commandments and connects them to various laws and regulations that govern communal and individual life in Israel.

4. Spiritual Guidance: The repetition of the commandments provides spiritual guidance for the Israelites, reminding them of their duty to God and to one another. Moses underscores the importance of obedience to these commandments as a central aspect of their relationship with God.

Overall, the context of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy emphasizes their enduring significance as the foundation of Israelite faith and ethics, providing guidance for the Israelites as they prepare to enter and inhabit the Promised Land.

Moses summoned all Israel and said:

1 Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 It was not with our ancestors that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. 4 The Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. 5 (At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

6 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

7 “You shall have no other gods before me.

8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

17 “You shall not murder.

18 “You shall not commit adultery.

19 “You shall not steal.

20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

Meaning of the 10 Commandments

The ten laws that God gave the Israelites at Sinai have come to be known as The Ten Commandments or the Decalogue, “a Hebrew expression, which occurs three times in the Old Testament and literally means ‘ten words.’” The first four commandments deal with the Israelites' responsibility to God, and the final six commandments address the Israelites' responsibility toward each other. Here is a summary and brief explanation of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:

1. “You shall have no other gods before me.” God desires our complete loyalty and allegiance for our own benefit, not to forget His divine providence. This command forbids placing anyone or anything above God. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5)

2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….”  This command forbids the use of any man-made image for the purpose of worship. No human has the ability to create a piece of artwork or construct a statue that accurately represents God. He alone is worthy of worship. (New Testament References: 1 John 5:21, Galatians 4:8, Romans 1:21-23)

3. Don’t misuse God’s name—This command forbids mishandling, lightly using, or speaking in vain the name of God. (New Testament References: 1 Timothy 6:1, Matthew 5:33-37) 

4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy—This commandment required the Israelites to set aside a specific day of the week to dedicate as a day of rest to the Lord—the Sabbath. (New Testament References: Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus fulfilled this law completely. Christians find their Sabbath rest in the person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:16 confirms that New Covenant Believers are no longer required to adhere to Sabbath laws.) 

5. Honor your mother and father—This command requires that parents be shown honor and respect. It’s also the only command that comes with a promise. “so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (New Testament References: Ephesians 6:1-2, Matthew 15:4-9)

6. Do not murder—This command forbids the premeditated killing of another human being. (New Testament References: Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15)

7. Don’t commit adultery—This command forbids breaking the sacred marriage covenant by having sexual relations with anyone other than one’s spouse. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, John 8:1-20)

8. Don’t steal—This command forbids taking someone else’s possessions without permission. (New Testament References: Ephesians 4:28, Luke 19:8)

9. Don’t give false testimony against your neighbor—This command forbids testifying falsely against someone in court, but the context also implies that lying is forbidden. (New Testament References: Revelation 21:8, John 8:44)

10. Don’t covet—This command forbids harboring a desire for someone else’s possessions, spouse, or property. (New Testament References: Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3)

Importance of the Ten Commandments 

Three months after God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Written in stone by the finger of God, each of these statutes was collectively meant to show the Israelites God’s standard of holiness. This standard would give His people a glimpse of God’s character, prove to them that they could never attain righteousness on their own, and plant in their hearts a longing for salvation that would be realized through the sacrifice of God’s Son—Jesus. "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24)

The Ten Commandments are still relevant today, as they guide living a moral and ethical life. They can be used as a tool for self-reflection and understanding how our actions relate to honoring God and loving our neighbor.

Why Did God Give These Laws to the Israelites?

God chose Israel as His own special possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6-9) But their sinful nature, inherited from Adam, separated the Israelites from their Holy Father. Out of love for His people, God set Israel apart and provided the law as a first step in His master plan to reconcile Himself with fallen humanity.

The Old Testament lists 613 laws that governed ancient Hebrew society. The Ten Commandments were part of God’s moral law. All these laws served as guardians, guardrails, and teaching tools to help the Israelites understand God’s expectations and to demonstrate to them that they could never live up to those expectations through their own human efforts. (Romans 3:20; 5:20; 7:7-8) 

The law was also an expression of God’s grace. (Ezekiel 36:26) Because the Israelites couldn’t master righteous living on their own, Priests continually offered blood sacrifices on behalf of every violator. (Leviticus 17:11) Without the law, the Israelites would not have recognized their need for atonement. And the required means for atonement—shed blood—foreshadowed the one-time redemptive sacrifice that would be provided through the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. (John 1:29)

Why is the Numbering of the 10 Commandments Different Between Christians, Catholics, and Jews?

The differences in numbering of the Ten Commandments between Christian, Catholic, and Jewish traditions stem from variations in how the commandments are interpreted, grouped, and counted within each religious tradition's religious texts. Here's a breakdown:

Jewish Tradition: In Jewish tradition, the Ten Commandments are primarily derived from Exodus 20:2-14 and Deuteronomy 5:6-18. The division and numbering of the commandments are traditionally based on the Hebrew text. The commandments are typically listed as follows:

1. I am the Lord your God...
2. You shall have no other gods...
3. You shall not take the name...
4. Remember the Sabbath...
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.
    

Christian Tradition: In most Christian traditions, the Ten Commandments are based on the Septuagint (Greek) version of the Old Testament. The division and numbering of the commandments differ slightly from the Jewish tradition, primarily in the treatment of idolatry and coveting. The commandments are typically listed as follows:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol...
3. You shall not take the name...
4. Remember the Sabbath...
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 your neighbor's house...

Catholic Tradition: Catholicism follows the same division and numbering as most Christian traditions, but it combines the first two commandments on idolatry into one and divides the tenth commandment on coveting into two separate commandments on coveting one's neighbor's wife and coveting one's neighbor's goods. The commandments are typically listed as follows:

1. I am the Lord your God...
2. You shall not take the name...
3. Remember the Sabbath...
4. Honor your father and your mother...
5. You shall not murder.
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.

These differences reflect varying interpretative traditions and theological emphases within each religious community.

Jesus and the 10 Commandments

Jesus frequently incorporated the principles of the Ten Commandments into his teachings, although he didn't list them all at once. Instead, he delved into their underlying values and extended their meaning in discussions on ethics, morality, and religious devotion. Let's take a look at a few times when Jesus addressed these commandments:

Do the Commandments Apply to Christians Today?

The Ten Commandments are essential to our Biblical heritage and integral to every Christian’s origin story. Jesus didn’t “abolish the law when he died on the cross.” Instead, He did something far greater, fulfilling the law. “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)

Believers are set free from the law, which was powerless anyway because of our sinful nature because God sent His own righteous Son to be our once-and-for-all sin offering. (Romans 8:2-4)

When someone accepts Christ by faith, the Spirit of God comes to abide inside that person. And when we live “according to the Spirit,” all those laws that Jesus fulfilled are manifest through us in the form of His righteousness. This salvation is God’s new covenant of grace that replaces the old covenant of law. (Hebrews 8:6, Jeremiah 31:31)

Although the gift of salvation is offered with no strings attached to all who believe, the New Testament offers instructional guidelines to help new Christians learn what walking by faith means. In fact, most of the original Ten Commandments are recognized in the New Testament as principles for Christian living. So, what’s the difference? If Christians are still called to live by God’s standards, how does that differ from adherence to the law? 

The differences are astounding. The Old Covenant law demanded compliance or death. The New Covenant was set into motion through the obedience of the only One who could measure up to God’s standards. In love, Christ laid down His life for us—while we were yet sinners. Those who are saved love Jesus because He first loved us. It’s that love that compels Believers to take up our cross and follow Him.—Law vs. Love (Romans 13:8-10)  

Under the Old Covenant, God’s chosen people were slaves to sin, a condition made apparent by rules and regulations. Through the New Covenant, Christ not only secured our freedom from slavery, but He also initiated our adoption into God’s family. We are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Slaves vs. Heirs (Galatians 4:4-7) 

Under the Old Covenant, even David, a man after God’s own heart, failed to meet God’s righteous requirements. Why? Because all David’s self-effort amounted to filthy rags. Through the New Covenant, the indwelling Holy Spirit manifests Christ’s righteousness through the life of a surrendered Believer. Self vs. Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)

By living out our love for the Father and love for others, through Christ’s power—we are given the desire and the ability to “obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

Why Are the Ten Commandments Still Important?

The Ten Commandments are vital to understanding the Holy nature of God as it contrasts with our fallen, sinful nature. The Commandments also played an essential role in God’s overall redemptive plan. 

Our modern culture has a habit of dodging moral absolutes, re-identifying sacred truths, and systematically removing all concrete standards of conduct. Even though most Believers understand their freedom from the law, through Christ, the Ten Commandments are an essential tool in our evangelistic arsenal to help the deceived world rightly define right from wrong.

The Good News is only Good News if a sinner recognizes the death sentence they face due to their unbelief and consequent sin. The Ten Commandments act as a mirror to reveal the filth that only Jesus can erase. 

Use the articles, videos, and audio below to further your understanding of the significance and relevance of the 10 Commandments in our lives.

Annette Marie Griffin is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed children’s and youth programs for over 20 years. Her debut children’s book, What Is A Family?, was released through Familius Publishing in 2020. Annette has also written a curriculum for the character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. She and her husband have five children—three who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at home—plus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock.

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