What Are the Ten Commandments?
What Are the Ten Commandments? The Ten Commandments are God's foundational moral law given to Moses on Mount Sinai — covering duties to God (commandments 1-4) and duties to others (commandments 5-10).
Key verse: Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
The Ten Commandments are God's foundational moral law given to Moses on Mount Sinai — covering duties to God (commandments 1-4) and duties to others (commandments 5-10).
The Ten Commandments are God's foundational moral law given to Moses on Mount Sinai — covering duties to God (commandments 1-4) and duties to others (commandments 5-10).
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." — Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Exodus 20:1-17 records the Ten Commandments, written by God's finger on stone tablets (Exodus 31:18). The first four govern the relationship with God: (1) No other gods before Me. (2) No graven images. (3) Do not take God's name in vain. (4) Remember the sabbath. The last six govern human relationships: (5) Honour thy father and mother. (6) Thou shalt not kill. (7) Thou shalt not commit adultery. (8) Thou shalt not steal. (9) Thou shalt not bear false witness. (10) Thou shalt not covet. Jesus summarized them: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:37-39). The commandments reveal God's character and expose human sinfulness — 'By the law is the knowledge of sin' (Romans 3:20). They cannot save but drive us to Christ: 'The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ' (Galatians 3:24). Jesus did not abolish the moral law but fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17) and wrote it on believers' hearts (Hebrews 8:10).
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Integrity?
What the Bible teaches about honesty, moral character, and living with integrity before God and others.
Key Scripture References
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
"The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Obedience to God?
Obedience is the primary evidence of genuine faith and love for God, demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
How Does God Forgive Sin?
God forgives sin through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ — when a person repents and believes, God removes their guilt 'as far as the east is from the west.'
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Are the Ten Commandments?
Theology & Doctrine
Are the Ten Commandments Still Relevant Today?
Theology & Doctrine
What Is the Doctrine of Election?
Theology & Doctrine
Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments
10 curated KJV verses
Matthew 22:37-39 Commentary
In-depth study • Love & Commandments
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Exodus. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Exodus on day 24 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Are the Ten Commandments?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.