Skip to main content
    In Context

    What Are the Ten Commandments — In Biblical Context

    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).

    Quick Answer

    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)

    The Biblical Context

    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).

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, Exodus 20:3, sits inside Exodus 20. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
    — Exodus 20:3 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    Matthew 22:37-39
    "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
    Galatians 3:24
    "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

    Explore this question from another angle

    Meaning

    Plain-language explanation

    Related Verses

    Cross-reference KJV verses

    Full Answer

    The complete Bible answer page

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Q&A

    What Are the Ten Commandments?

    Theology & Doctrine

    Q&A

    Are the Ten Commandments Still Relevant Today?

    Theology & Doctrine

    Q&A

    What Is the Doctrine of Election?

    Theology & Doctrine

    Verses About

    Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments

    10 curated KJV verses

    Verses About

    Bible Verses About the Ten Commandments

    10 curated KJV verses

    Commentary

    Matthew 22:37-39 Commentary

    In-depth study • Love & Commandments

    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.