Where can I find in the Bible the 10 Commandments? This is a question that many Christians and scholars have pondered over the years. The 10 Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are a set of religious and moral imperatives that are considered to be foundational in the Judeo-Christian tradition. They are found in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, and have been the subject of countless studies, sermons, and discussions.
The 10 Commandments are located in the book of Exodus, specifically in chapters 20 and 34. Exodus is the second book of the Bible and tells the story of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to their liberation and the promise of the Promised Land. The 10 Commandments are presented in the context of Moses receiving them from God on Mount Sinai.
The first set of the 10 Commandments is given in Exodus 20:1-17. The passage begins with a command to hear the words of the Lord, followed by the Ten Commandments themselves. These commandments are divided into two tablets, with the first five dealing with God’s relationship with humanity and the second five dealing with human relationships:
1. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
2. You shall have no other gods before me.
3. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
4. You shall not swear by my name in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
5. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The second set of the 10 Commandments is found in Exodus 34:12-27. This passage includes an additional commandment, which is a summary of the first four:
6. Honor your father and your mother.
7. You shall not murder.
8. You shall not commit adultery.
9. You shall not steal.
10. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
The 10 Commandments have played a significant role in the development of Western civilization, influencing laws, ethics, and cultural norms. They continue to be a source of inspiration and guidance for many people around the world. Understanding where they are found in the Bible is an important step in appreciating their profound impact on history and faith.
