Exodus 20:2-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:1-11

Here is, I. The preface of the law-writer, Moses: God spoke all these words, Exod. 20:1. The law of the ten commandments is, 1. A law of God's making. They are enjoined by the infinite eternal Majesty of heaven and earth. And where the word of the King of kings is surely there is power. 2. It is a law of his own speaking. God has many ways of speaking to the children of men (Job 33:14); once, yea twice?by his Spirit, by conscience, by providences, by his voice, all which we ought carefully to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:2

I am the Lord thy God ,.... This verse does not contain the first of these commands, but is a preface to them, showing that God had a right to enact and enjoin the people of Israel laws; and that they were under obligation to attend unto them with reverence, and cheerfully obey them, since he was the Lord, the eternal and immutable Jehovah, the Being of beings, who gives being to all creatures, and gave them theirs, and therefore had a right to give them what laws he pleased; and he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. This is the first command, and is opposed to the polytheism of the Gentiles, the Egyptians, from whom Israel was just come, and whose gods some of them might have had a favourable opinion of and liking to, and had committed idolatry with; and the Canaanites, into whose land they were going; and to prevent their joining with them in the worship of other gods, this law was given, as well as to be of standing us to them in all generations; for there is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:2

I am the Lord thy God - אלהיך יהוה Yehovah eloheycha . On the word Jehovah, which we here translate Lord, see Clarke's note on Genesis 2:4 , and see Clarke's note on Exodus 6:3 . And on the word Elohim, here translated God, see Clarke's note on Genesis 1:1 . It is worthy of remark that each individual is addressed here, and not the people collectively, though they are all necessarily included; that each might feel that he was bound for himself to hear and do all these words. Moses... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me - אחרים אלהים elohim acherim , no strange gods - none that thou art not acquainted with, none who has not given thee such proofs of his power and godhead as I have done in delivering thee from the Egyptians, dividing the Red Sea, bringing water out of the rock, quails into the desert, manna from heaven to feed thee, and the pillar of cloud to direct, enlighten, and shield thee. By these miracles God had rendered himself familiar to them, they were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:3

Verse 3 Exodus 20:3Thou shalt have no other gods before me. In this commandment God enjoins that He alone should be worshipped, and requires a worship free from all superstition. For although it seems to be a simple prohibition, yet must we deduce an affirmation from the negative, as will be more apparent from the following words. Therefore does He set Himself before them, in order that the Israelites may look to Him alone; and claims His own just right, in order that it may not be transferred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-2

The Ten Commandments-an introductory reminder. Before the speaker of these commandments proceeded to the utterance of them, it was necessary that he should call special and reverent attention to himself. Not one of the words he was about to say could either be understood or obeyed without a constant reference in thought to him who had delivered and arranged them. He did not bring them before Israel as a far seeing legislator might bring such rules as were best adapted to the limitations... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-2

Utility of a course of teaching on the commandments, that Divine law which can never be destroyed. Let those who object to the preaching of morality remember John Wesley's words: " I find more profit in sermons on either good tempers or good works than in what are vulgarly called 'gospel sermons.'" Consider— I. THE DIVISION AND GROUPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS . 1 . Division . We know that there are ten—the ten words—but how are the ten words made up? The modern... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The ten commandments collectivety. The ten commandments form a summary of our main duties towards God, and towards man. They stand out from the rest of the Old Testament in a remarkable way. 1 . They were uttered audibly by a voice which thousands heard—a voice which is called that of God himself ( Deuteronomy 5:26 ) and which filled those who heard it with a terrible fear ( Exodus 20:19 ). 2 . They were the only direct utterance ever made by God to man under the Old Covenant. ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

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