The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments given to Moses, as recorded in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, are a foundational set of moral and religious laws in Judeo-Christian tradition. They appear in two primary passages: Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:4-21. The account in Exodus is the most commonly referenced when discussing the initial giving of the commandments, as it describes the moment God spoke them directly to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Deuteronomy recounts Moses reiterating the laws to the Israelites years later. Below, I’ll provide the full text from both passages in the KJV, along with context, differences between the two accounts, and additional references to the commandments in the Bible.
The Ten Commandments in the KJV

1. Exodus 20:1-17 (The Initial Giving at Mount Sinai)
   This is the first instance where God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. The scene is dramatic: God descends on Mount Sinai with thunder, lightning, and a thick cloud, speaking directly to the people (Exodus 19:16-20).
   Here’s the full text from the KJV:
   Exodus 20:1-17
   1 And God spake all these words, saying,
   2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
   3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
   4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
   5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
   6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
   7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
   8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
   9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
   10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
   11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
   12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
   13 Thou shalt not kill.
   14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
   15 Thou shalt not steal.
   16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
   17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
   Context in Exodus:
   This event occurs three months after the Israelites left Egypt (Exodus 19:1).

The commandments are part of the covenant God makes with Israel, establishing them as His chosen people (Exodus 19:5-6).

After God speaks, the people are terrified by His voice and ask Moses to mediate (Exodus 20:18-19).

Moses later ascends the mountain, where God gives him the tablets of stone inscribed with the commandments (Exodus 24:12, 31:18). These tablets are later broken by Moses in anger when he sees the Israelites worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32:19). God instructs Moses to make new tablets in Exodus 34:1-4, and a second set of commandments is inscribed (Exodus 34:27-28), though the text in Exodus 34 focuses more on covenant renewal and differs slightly in emphasis.

2. Deuteronomy 5:4-21 (Moses’ Recounting to the Next Generation)
   In Deuteronomy, Moses is addressing the Israelites 40 years later, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This generation wasn’t present at Sinai, so Moses reiterates the commandments as part of a broader retelling of God’s laws.
   Deuteronomy 5:4-21
   4 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
   5 (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
   6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
   7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
   8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
   9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
   10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
   11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
   12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
   13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
   14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
   15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
   16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
   17 Thou shalt not kill.
   18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
   19 Neither shalt thou steal.
   20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
   21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
   Context in Deuteronomy:
   Moses is speaking to the new generation of Israelites, reminding them of their covenant with God before they enter Canaan (Deuteronomy 1:1-5).

This recounting emphasizes obedience to God’s laws as the key to success in the Promised Land.

The passage is part of the “second law” (Deuteronomy means “second law” in Greek), which restates and expands on the laws given at Sinai.

Key Differences Between Exodus and Deuteronomy Versions
While the commandments are largely the same, there are notable differences in wording and emphasis:
Sabbath Commandment (4th Commandment):
Exodus 20:8-11: The reason for keeping the Sabbath is tied to creation: “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth… and rested the seventh day.”

Deuteronomy 5:12-15: The reason is tied to the Exodus: “And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt… therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” Deuteronomy adds a humanitarian angle, noting that servants should rest too.

The wording also differs slightly: “Remember the sabbath day” (Exodus) vs. “Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it” (Deuteronomy).

Coveting Commandment (10th Commandment):
Exodus 20:17: Lists the objects of coveting in this order: house, wife, manservant, maidservant, ox, ass, anything else.

Deuteronomy 5:21: Separates coveting into two parts: “Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife” (first), then “neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field…” (adding “field” and reordering the list). This separation has led some traditions (e.g., Catholic and Lutheran) to treat coveting the wife as the 9th commandment and coveting other possessions as the 10th.

Minor Wording Variations:
Deuteronomy often adds “as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee” (e.g., in the Sabbath and honoring parents commandments), emphasizing Moses’ role as a mediator and the people’s prior obligation to obey.

The phrasing for “no other gods” is slightly different: “before me” (Exodus) vs. “none other gods before me” (Deuteronomy).

Numbering of the Commandments
The Ten Commandments are traditionally numbered as ten, but different religious traditions divide them differently due to their structure in the text:
Jewish Tradition:
1st: “I am the LORD thy God…” (Exodus 20:2/Deuteronomy 5:6), treated as a statement of identity rather than a command.

2nd: No other gods and no graven images (Exodus 20:3-6/Deuteronomy 5:7-10), combined as one commandment.

3rd–10th: Follow the remaining commandments, with coveting as a single command (10th).

Protestant Tradition (e.g., Reformed, Baptist):
1st: No other gods (Exodus 20:3/Deuteronomy 5:7).

2nd: No graven images (Exodus 20:4-6/Deuteronomy 5:8-10).

3rd–10th: Follow the list, with coveting as a single command (10th).

Catholic and Lutheran Tradition:
1st: Combines no other gods and no graven images (Exodus 20:3-6/Deuteronomy 5:7-10).

2nd–8th: Follow the list (name in vain, Sabbath, parents, murder, adultery, stealing, false witness).

9th: Do not covet your neighbor’s wife (Deuteronomy 5:21a).

10th: Do not covet your neighbor’s goods (Deuteronomy 5:21b).

These differences arise because the text doesn’t explicitly number the commandments, and the total must be adjusted to ten.
Additional Details About the Commandments
The Tablets of Stone
God wrote the commandments on two stone tablets with His finger (Exodus 31:18, Deuteronomy 5:22).

Exodus 31:18: “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”

The tablets are often depicted as having five commandments on each, though the Bible doesn’t specify the division. Jewish tradition suggests the first five (Exodus 20:2-12) relate to duties toward God, and the last five (Exodus 20:13-17) relate to duties toward others.

After Moses broke the first tablets (Exodus 32:19), God instructed him to hew new tablets, and God wrote the commandments again (Exodus 34:1, Deuteronomy 10:1-4).

The tablets were placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5, Hebrews 9:4).

The “Second Set” in Exodus 34
After the golden calf incident, God renews the covenant in Exodus 34:10-28. Some scholars call this passage the “Ritual Decalogue” because it focuses more on ceremonial laws than the ethical ones in Exodus 20. However, the text says these are the same words as the first tablets (Exodus 34:1, 28).

Exodus 34:28: “And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.”

The commandments listed in Exodus 34:14-26 include laws about idolatry, feasts, and sacrifices, which differ from the Exodus 20 list. This has led to debate among scholars about whether these are a different set or a summary of broader covenant laws.

Other References to the Ten Commandments in the KJV
The Ten Commandments are referenced throughout the Bible, often as a symbol of God’s law or covenant:
Deuteronomy 4:13: “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.”
This confirms the number as ten and their inscription on tablets.

Deuteronomy 10:4: “And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.”
Refers to the second set of tablets after the golden calf incident.

Exodus 24:12: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.”
God’s initial promise to give the tablets to Moses.

Joshua 8:32: “And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.”
Joshua later inscribes the law (likely including the commandments) on stones as a reminder.

Matthew 5:17-19 (New Testament): Jesus references the law, including the commandments, saying, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Romans 13:9 (New Testament): Paul summarizes the commandments: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Hebrew Words for Key Commandments
Since you previously asked about Hebrew terms, here are the key Hebrew words for each commandment in Exodus 20 (based on the Protestant numbering):
No other gods (Exodus 20:3): לֹא יִהְיֶה־לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים (Lo yihyeh-lekha elohim acherim).
אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) = gods; אֲחֵרִים (acherim) = other.

No graven images (Exodus 20:4): לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה־לְךָ פֶסֶל (Lo ta’aseh-lekha pesel).
פֶסֶל (pesel) = graven image.

Not take the name in vain (Exodus 20:7): לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת־שֵׁם־יְהוָה לַשָּׁוְא (Lo tissa et-shem-Adonai lashav).
לַשָּׁוְא (lashav) = in vain.

Remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8): זָכוֹר אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת (Zakhor et-yom haShabbat).
שַׁבָּת (Shabbat) = Sabbath; זָכוֹר (zakhor) = remember.

Honor thy father and mother (Exodus 20:12): כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ (Kabbed et-avikha ve’et-immekha).
כַּבֵּד (kabbed) = honor.

Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13): לֹא תִרְצָח (Lo tirtzach).
תִרְצָח (tirtzach) = kill/murder (specifically unjust killing).

No adultery (Exodus 20:14): לֹא תִנְאָף (Lo tin’af).
תִנְאָף (tin’af) = commit adultery.

No stealing (Exodus 20:15): לֹא תִגְנֹב (Lo tignov).
תִגְנֹב (tignov) = steal.

No false witness (Exodus 20:16): לֹא תַעֲנֶה בְרֵעֲךָ עֵד שָׁקֶר (Lo ta’aneh vere’akha ed shaker).
עֵד שָׁקֶר (ed shaker) = false witness.

No coveting (Exodus 20:17): לֹא תַחְמֹד (Lo tachmod).
תַחְמֹד (tachmod) = covet.

These Hebrew terms give insight into the original meanings, which sometimes carry nuances lost in translation (e.g., תִרְצָח specifically means “murder,” not just “kill”).
Broader Context and Significance
Theological Importance: The Ten Commandments are the core of the Mosaic Covenant, establishing the moral framework for Israel’s relationship with God and each other. They’re often divided into two categories: duties to God (1–4) and duties to others (5–10).

Cultural Impact: They’ve shaped legal and ethical systems in many societies, influencing concepts like justice, property rights, and family structure.

New Testament Fulfillment: Jesus summarizes the commandments in Matthew 22:37-40: loving God (covering the first four) and loving your neighbor (covering the last six).

Physical Tablets: The tablets were kept in the Ark of the Covenant, which was housed in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (1 Kings 8:9). Their fate after the Babylonian destruction of the First Temple in 587 BCE is unknown.

Summary
The Ten Commandments in the KJV are primarily found in Exodus 20:1-17 (the initial giving) and Deuteronomy 5:4-21 (Moses’ recounting). They were written by God on stone tablets, given to Moses at Mount Sinai, and later placed in the Ark of the Covenant. The commandments cover worship, reverence for God, the Sabbath, family honor, and ethical behavior toward others. While the two accounts are mostly the same, Deuteronomy adjusts the Sabbath rationale and splits the coveting command. The commandments are referenced throughout the Bible and remain a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics.