Exodus 20:3-5

3 “You shall have no other gods before^[a] 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,

Exodus 20:3-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 20

In this chapter we have an account of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; the preface to it, Ex 20:1,2, the ten commandments it consists of, Ex 20:8-17, the circumstances attending it, which caused the people to remove at some distance, Ex 20:18, when they desired of Moses, that he would speak to them and not God, who bid them not fear, since this was for the trial of them; but still they kept at a distance, while Moses drew nigh to God, Ex 20:19-21 who ordered him to caution the children of Israel against idolatry, and directed what sort of an altar he would have made whereon to offer their sacrifices, promising that where his name was recorded he would grant his presence and blessing, Ex 20:22-26.

Cross References

• 1. ver 23; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:14; Deuteronomy 13:10; 2 Kings 17:35; Psalms 44:20; Psalms 81:9; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 7:6,9; Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 25:6; Jeremiah 35:15
• 2. ver 5,23; Exodus 32:8; Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1; Dt 4:15-19,23; Deuteronomy 27:15; 2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Kings 14:9; 2 Kings 17:12; Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 44:9
• 3. Exodus 23:13,24; Joshua 23:7; Judges 6:10; 2 Kings 17:35; Isa 44:15,17,19; Isaiah 46:6
• 4. Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; Joshua 24:19; Nahum 1:2
• 5. S Genesis 9:25; S Leviticus 26:39
• 6. Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Jeremiah 32:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "besides"