Exodus 20:13 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13-17

The individual Israelite considered in his duties towards his neighbour. Of these five commandments—namely, against murder, adultery, theft, slander and covetousness, it almost goes without saying that their very negativeness in form constitutes the strongest way of stating a positive duty. From a proper consideration of these commandments all possible manifestations of brotherliness will flow. They show the spirit we should cherish towards our neighbours; those who equally with ourselves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13-17

Our threefold duty to our neighbour. I. HE IS NOT TO BE INJURED IN ACT . 1 . His life is to be held sacred . It is God's great gift to him and it is God's only to take it away, by express command, or by his own judgment. This is a law for nations as well as individuals. In every unjust war this command is trampled under foot. 2 . His home is sacred . The wreck of homes which lust has made! The holy, loving refuge of childhood and youth desolated, and its very... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 20:1-17

The Hebrew name which is rendered in our King James Version as the ten commandments occurs in Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 10:4. It literally means “the Ten Words.” The Ten Commandments are also called the law, even the commandment Exodus 24:12, the words of the covenant Exodus 34:28, the tables of the covenant Deuteronomy 9:9, the covenant Deuteronomy 4:13, the two tables Deuteronomy 9:10, Deuteronomy 9:17, and, most frequently, the testimony (e. g. Exodus 16:34; Exodus 25:16),... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 20:13

Exodus 20:13. Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not do any thing hurtful to the health or life of thy own body, or any other’s. This doth not forbid our necessary defence, or the magistrates putting offenders to death; but it forbids all malice and hatred to any, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer, and all revenge arising therefrom; likewise anger, and hurt said or done, or aimed to be done, in a passion; of this our Saviour expounds this commandment, Matthew 5:22. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

Basic principles of the covenant (20:1-17)The form of the covenant God made with Israel followed a pattern that was common in the ancient world when an overlord made a covenant with his subjects. God introduced himself to his people by declaring his name and status as Yahweh the sovereign Lord, and recounting to his people what he had graciously done for them. He reminded them that their God was living and active, and that the words they were about to hear were a revelation direct from him... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

THE SIXTH COMMANDMENTTHOU SHALT NOT KILL "Thou shalt not kill." Of supreme importance in understanding this is the distinction between the word here rendered "kill," and another Hebrew word in numerous passages rendered, "Thou shalt surely slay him," or "He shall surely be put to death." In those places the word is [~harag]. Deuteronomy 13:9 is an example. "Thou shalt surely [~harag] him." Now the word here is [~ratsach], which means murder. In those other places, it is [~harag] which means "to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 20:13

Exodus 20:13. Thou shalt not kill— For a full exposition of this commandment we refer to that of our Saviour, Matthew 5:21; Mat 5:48 see Genesis 9:6. The words are better rendered, thou shalt do no murder. And if we are not to murder others, certainly not ourselves, so that suicide is here plainly and absolutely forbidden, as well as, according to our Saviour's exposition, all those angry and resentful passions, which are no less criminal in themselves than they are fatal in their consequences.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 20:1-17

2. The Ten Commandments 20:1-17"We now reach the climax of the entire Book, the central and most exalted theme, all that came before being, as it were, a preparation for it, and all that follows, a result of, and supplement to it." [Note: Cassuto, p. 235.] There are two types of law in the Old Testament, and these existed commonly in the ancient Near East. Apodictic laws are commands with the force of categorical imperatives. They are positive or negative. The Ten Commandments are an example of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 20:13

The sixth commandment 20:13God did not forbid killing per se. He commanded capital punishment and some war. The Hebrew word used here specifies murder, not just killing. The Israelites were to execute murderers and others under the Mosaic Law. However, He prohibited taking a human life without divine authorization. This included suicide (cf. John 3:15). [Note: See J. P. Morgan, "The Morality of Suicide: Issues and Options," Bibliotheca Sacra 148:590 (April-June 1991):214-30.] read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:1-26

The Ten Commandments (vv. 1-21)Exodus 20-23, containing (1) the Decalogue (Gk. = ’Ten Words’ or ’Commandments’) and (2) a code of laws regulating the religious and social life of the people, and called the Book of the Covenant (see Exodus 24:7), form perhaps the most important part of the Pentateuch. It is the nucleus of the entire Mosaic legislation, and in all probability existed for long as a separate document.1-17. The Decalogue. In chapter Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13 this is called the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13-17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Exodus 20:1-17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Exodus 20:13

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Exodus 20:13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 20:1-17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Exodus 20:13

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:1-26

Group of Brands