Exodus 34:12-26

12-26. Take heed to thyself Here follows a brief resume of the laws previously ordained, and written in the Book of the Covenant, 21-23 . They may be resolved into ten precepts, as follows:

1. Thou shalt make no covenant with the heathen. Exodus 34:12.

2. Thou shalt destroy their altars and images. Exodus 34:18.

3. Thou shalt worship no other god save Jehovah. Exodus 34:14.

4. Thou shalt make no molten gods. Exodus 34:17.

5. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread. Exodus 34:18.

6. Thou shalt redeem all the firstborn. Exodus 34:19-20.

7. Thou shalt keep the sabbath day. Exodus 34:21.

8. Thou shalt observe the three annual feasts. Exodus 34:22-23.

9. Thou shalt not offer sacrifice with leaven. Exodus 34:25.

10. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother’s milk. Exodus 34:26.

We should lay no stress upon this division into ten commandments; for it is possible, by making separate precepts of the firstfruits, (Exodus 34:26,) and the not appearing empty (Exodus 34:20,) to make more than ten; or by combining several very kindred laws to reduce the number to seven or eight. In no case should this recapitulation of laws be identified with the ten commandments mentioned in Exodus 34:28, for these were identical with those in the first tables. Exodus 34:1.