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    Exodus 20 (KJV)

    Read Exodus chapter 20 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

    Exodus 20

    Deep Verse Commentaries in This Chapter

    Exodus 20:3

    "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.…"

    Exodus 20:12

    "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long …"

    Exodus 20:7

    "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; fo…"

    Exodus 20:8

    "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.…"

    Popular Verses in Exodus 20

    Most searched verses from this chapter, with KJV text and context.

    Exodus 20:3 KJV

    Old Testament Foundations

    Exodus 20:12 KJV

    Old Testament Foundations

    Exodus 20:3 KJV

    Exodus & The Law

    Exodus 20:12 KJV

    Exodus & The Law

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    Location

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    Exodus 20 Summary

    Exodus 20 contains the Ten Commandments—the foundational moral law given by God directly to Israel at Mount Sinai. The chapter opens with God identifying Himself as the deliverer from Egypt, establishing that obedience flows from gratitude for grace already received.

    The commandments address humanity's relationship with God (commands 1–4) and with one another (commands 5–10). The chapter closes with the people trembling at God's presence and Moses approaching the thick darkness where God was. These laws have shaped Western civilization's understanding of justice, morality, and human dignity.

    Key Themes

    Moral lawCovenant relationshipWorshipJusticeThe fear of the Lord

    Key Verses in Exodus 20

    "I am the LORD thy God... Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

    — Exodus 20:2-3

    The foundation of all commandments—exclusive loyalty to the one true God.

    "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land."

    — Exodus 20:12

    The bridge between duties to God and duties to neighbor, with the first promise attached to a commandment.

    "Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not."

    — Exodus 20:20

    A paradox—don't fear destructively, but let reverence for God's holiness guard you from sin.

    Life Application

    The Ten Commandments aren't a ladder to earn God's favor—they were given to a people already redeemed. God first saves, then shows us how to live. View His commands not as restrictions but as guardrails that protect the freedom He's already given you.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are the Ten Commandments still relevant today?

    Christians view the moral principles as timeless reflections of God's character. While ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic law were fulfilled in Christ, the ethical core—love God, love neighbor—remains foundational to Christian living.

    Why does God say He is a 'jealous God'?

    Divine jealousy isn't petty insecurity—it's the righteous passion of a faithful covenant partner. Just as a spouse rightly opposes infidelity, God opposes the worship of false gods because He alone deserves devotion and because idolatry destroys people.

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