ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Exodus 20

20:1–23:33 Covenant Words and Rules. This section records what will later be referred to as the “Book of the Covenant” (24:7) and includes: the Ten Commandments (20:1–21); instructions on worship (20:22–26; 23:10–19); rules and principles for community life (21:1–23:9); and instructions for entering the land of Canaan (23:20–33).

Ex. 20:1–21 (See note on Deut. 5:1–21.) The Ten Commandments or “ten words” (see esv footnote at Ex. 34:28) are highlighted as the core of the covenant conditions revealed to Moses. They define the life that God calls his people to live before him (20:1–11) and with each other (vv. 12–17). The commandments are not exhaustive, but they show how to remain faithful to the Lord. NT authors assume the applicability of these commands in shaping the moral life of both Jewish and Gentile Christians (e.g., Rom. 13:9–10; Eph. 6:2).

Ex. 20:1 When God spoke all these words, he did so in such a way that all the people could hear. Compare “I have talked with you from heaven” (v. 22).

Ex. 20:2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of . . . Egypt. Throughout Israel’s history, the Lord will identify himself in terms of his deliverance of the nation from Egypt (e.g., Judg. 6:8; 1 Sam. 10:18; Ps. 81:10; Jer. 34:13).

Ex. 20:3 You shall have no other gods. The Lord demands exclusive covenant loyalty. As the one true God, he cannot tolerate the worship of any “other gods” (22:20; 23:13; 24; 32). before me. This Hebrew expression most likely refers to worshiping other gods in addition to the Lord. Even though this commandment does not comment on whether these “other gods” might exist, Moses’ statement to a later generation makes clear that only “the Lord is God; there is no other besides him” (Deut. 4:35, 39; see also Isa. 45:5–6). See also note on Deut. 5:7.

Ex. 20:4–6 You shall not make for yourself a carved image. The Lord commands Israel not to craft an image of anything in heaven or earth for worship. This is because the Lord is a jealous God (see 34:14; Deut. 6:15). The Lord has no physical form and cannot be contained in one (Deut. 4:15–20).

Ex. 20:5–6 a jealous God. God the Creator is worthy of all honor from his creation. His creatures are functioning properly only when they give him the honor and worship that he deserves. God’s jealousy shows his concern for his creatures’ well-being. visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children. Human experience confirms that immoral behavior by parents often results in suffering for their children and grandchildren. But this general principle is qualified in two ways: First, it applies only to those who hate God; the cycle of sin and suffering can be broken through repentance. Second, the suffering comes to the third and the fourth generation, while God shows steadfast love (v. 6) to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments (that is, to the thousandth generation; see esv footnote and compare Deut. 7:9).

Ex. 20:7 Taking the Lord’s name in vain (see note on Deut. 5:11) refers primarily to taking a deceptive oath in God’s name or invoking God’s name to justify a dishonest act (Lev. 19:12). It also forbids using God’s name in magic, or irreverently, or disrespectfully (Lev. 24:10–16).

Ex. 20:8–11 Israel is to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (see notes on Deut. 5:12–15). The Lord had already begun to form the people’s life in the rhythm of collecting manna for six days (Ex. 20:9) and resting on the seventh day as a Sabbath (see 16:22–26). Here the command imitates the Lord’s pattern in creation (see Gen. 2:1–3).

Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother. “Honor” means to show the proper respect due to the person and his or her role. Both Jesus and Paul underline the importance of this command (Mark 7:1–13; Eph. 6:1–3; 1 Tim. 5:4). This is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a specific promise attached to it: that your days may be long—meaning not just a long life but one filled with God’s presence and favor. See note on Deut. 5:16.

Ex. 20:13–15 The sixth through eighth commandments present general prohibitions not to murder (see note on Deut. 5:17), commit adultery, or steal. These are the minimum standards for a just society. Israel is later called to be holy and to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might (Deut. 6:4–9), and to show their neighbors goodwill and generosity (Lev. 19:18). When Jesus refers to the law in the Sermon on the Mount (“you have heard that it was said,” Matt. 5:21–48), he is correcting the mistaken assumption that these laws (as understood by the Pharisees) revealed all of what it meant to be a child of God. (See Matt. 5:21–24, 27–28; and note on Matt. 5:21–48.)

Ex. 20:16 Acting as a false witness (see 23:1–3) suggests a legal trial in which false testimony could lead to unjust punishment for one’s neighbor.

Ex. 20:17 While the previous four commandments focus on actions committed or words spoken (vv. 13–16), the tenth commandment warns against allowing the heart to covet . . . anything that is your neighbor’s. Coveting may cause a person to murder, steal, or lie in order to obtain the desired thing. Because coveting values a particular thing over trusting and obeying the Lord as the provider, it also breaks the first commandment.

Ex. 20:22–26 These verses introduce the first section of laws following the Ten Commandments (21:1–23:9), and 23:10–19 closes the section. Both the opening and closing verses focus on Israel’s worship. Israel’s relationship with the Lord is her first priority. The rules of 21:1–23:9 give more detailed explanations of the obligations implied by the first and second commandments (20:3–6).