Exodus 20:8-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:3-11

The soul for God only. I. GOD 'S DEMAND . "Thou shalt have no other," etc. All else is emptiness and falsehood. There must be nothing even of our holy things put between the soul and God. His presence must be the soul's life, the very air it breathes. II. How THE DEMAND MAY BE FULFILLED . 1 . By keeping ourselves from idols. Our daily avocations, our interests, affections, pleasures, may lead to our esteeming something our chief good and making it to be instead of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:7-8

The first commandment deals with the object of worship; the second, with the manner of worship; in the third and fourth we have the method of worship, true reverence and genuine devotion. I. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT . 1 . Obedience to the letter insufficient . None ever obeyed it thus more strictly than the Jews did. The Sacred Name, called the shuddering name; only pronounced once annually by the High Priest on the Great Day of Atonement. So strictly was the command kept... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:8

Remember the sabbath day. The institution of the sabbath dates, at any rate, from the giving of the manna ( Exodus 16:23 ). Its primeval institution, which has been thought to be implied in Genesis 2:3 , is uncertain. The word "remember" here may be simply a reference to what passed in the "wilderness of Sin" as related in Exodus 16:22-30 . On the sabbath itself, both Jewish and Christian, see the comment upon that chapter. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:8-11

The Fourth Commandment: the sacred Sabbath. I. THE GROUND OF THIS COMMANDMENT . God, who had spoken to Israel as to those whom he had brought out of the house of bondage, and who had bidden Moses speak of him to the captives as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, now takes the thoughts of his people as far back as it is possible for them to go. They are directed to think of the great work of him who in six days made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is. "All the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:9

Six days shalt thou labour . This is not so much a command as a prohibition'' Thou shaft not labor more than six (consecutive) clays." In them thou shelf do all thy necessary work, so as to have the Sabbath free for the worship and service of God. 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 20:8-11

Exodus 20:8-11. The fourth commandment concerns the time of worship; God is to be served and honoured daily; but one day in seven is to be particularly dedicated to his honour, and spent in his service. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy; in it thou shalt do no manner of work It is taken for granted, that the sabbath was instituted before. We read of God’s blessing and sanctifying a seventh day from the beginning, (Genesis 2:3,) so that this was not the enacting of a new law,... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 20:8

Remember . Because already hallowed, and com mand given. See App-15 , and notes on Genesis 8:5 , Genesis 8:10 , Genesis 8:12 , Genesis 8:14 . The Babylonians had a seventh-day rest, doubtless from Genesis 2:2-3 not this from Babylonians. Note the Structure of this longest Commandment: read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Exodus 20:9

labour . The Hebrew accent (zarka) marks this word for emphasis: implying that the fourth Commandment is twofold, and no seventh-day rest can be really enjoyed without, or apart from, the six days of labour. read more

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