The Ten Commandments in Biblical Order

The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are a foundational set of moral and religious laws given by God to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai ^{[1, 2]}. These commandments were initially inscribed by God on two stone tablets, which Moses broke in anger upon seeing the Israelites worshiping a golden calf (Exodus 32:19). God subsequently rewrote them on new tablets ^{[1, 2]}. The term "Decalogue" comes from the Greek fathers and literally means "the ten words" ^[2].

The biblical texts primarily presenting the Ten Commandments are Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. While the content is largely consistent, there are minor differences in wording between the two accounts. The commandments are alluded to five times in the New Testament, including in Matthew 5:17-19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Romans 7:7-8, and Romans 13:9 ^[2].

The Biblical Order of the Ten Commandments

The traditional enumeration and division of the Ten Commandments vary among different religious traditions, though the core content remains the same ^[9]. The order presented here follows the enumeration found in Exodus 20, which is widely adopted in Reformed and some Protestant traditions ^{[10, 16]}.

1. "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) This commandment establishes monotheism, demanding exclusive worship and allegiance to Yahweh, the God who delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt ^[6]. It prohibits the worship of any deity other than the one true God. Lactantius, an early Christian writer, emphasized this commandment as loving "the one and only Lord God with all thy strength" ^[7].

2. "You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6) This commandment forbids the creation and worship of idols or graven images. It addresses practical idolatry, distinguishing it from the mental or theoretical idolatry prohibited by the first commandment ^{[6, 10]}. The Heidelberg Catechism combines the first two commandments, viewing them as a single prohibition against having other gods and against worshipping God through images ^[6]. Charles Hodge notes that the question of whether to unite or separate the commandments concerning idolatry is a point of division among traditions ^[14].

3. "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name." (Exodus 20:7) This commandment prohibits the misuse of God's name, which includes blasphemy, false swearing, and irreverent use ^[10]. It extends to anything that represents God's character or authority.

4. "Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it." (Exodus 20:8-11) This commandment mandates the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, commemorating God's rest after creation ^[10]. Lactantius connected Sabbath observance to God ceasing from the work of creation ^[7].

5. "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12) This commandment establishes the importance of respect and obedience to parents, linking it to the promise of longevity in the land ^[10]. This is the first commandment with a promise attached.

6. "You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13) This commandment prohibits the unlawful taking of human life ^[10]. Jesus affirmed this commandment in his interactions, as noted by John Gill ^{[8, 11]}.

7. "You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14) This commandment prohibits sexual infidelity and, by extension, all forms of sexual immorality ^[10]. This commandment is also explicitly mentioned by Jesus in the Gospels ^{[8, 11]}.

8. "You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15) This commandment prohibits the unlawful taking of another person's property ^[10].

9. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16) This commandment prohibits lying, perjury, and any form of false testimony that harms another person's reputation or justice ^[10].

10. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17) This commandment prohibits covetousness, which is the desire for what belongs to another ^[10]. Charles Hodge notes that the order in Deuteronomy separates coveting a neighbor's wife from coveting other possessions, but the Exodus account groups all forms of covetousness together ^[16]. The thing forbidden is cupidity, regardless of its object ^[16].

Divisions and Interpretations

While the "ten words" are consistently recognized, the way they are grouped and numbered has varied historically and confessionally ^[15]. Origen, a Greek Church Father, is credited with influencing the division of the commandments as they generally stand today ^[2].

Jewish Tradition: Abraham Ibn Ezra notes that some Jewish traditions believe God only uttered the first two statements directly, with Moses conveying the rest ^[12]. The Hebrew term for the Ten Commandments is aseret ha-devarim, meaning "the ten words" or "ten statements" ^[12].
Reformed Tradition: The Reformed tradition, as exemplified by the Heidelberg Catechism and John Calvin, typically follows the enumeration above, with the first commandment prohibiting other gods and the second prohibiting idols ^{[6, 9]}. Charles Hodge argues for this arrangement, noting that the Exodus account is chronologically and authoritatively prior ^[16]. This tradition often divides the commandments into two tables: the first table (commandments 1-4) concerning duties to God, and the second table (commandments 5-10) concerning duties to one's neighbor ^[14].
Lutheran and Roman Catholic Traditions: These traditions often combine the first two commandments into one, focusing on the prohibition of other gods and idolatry as a single concept. To maintain the number ten, they then divide the tenth commandment (against coveting) into two distinct commandments: one against coveting a neighbor's house and another against coveting a neighbor's wife or possessions.
Patristic Views: Early Christian writers like Lactantius emphasized the moral force of the commandments, seeing them as a guide for righteous living ^[7]. Another patristic source connects the ten commandments to the ten plagues of Egypt, viewing them as a test for humanity ^[13].

The Ten Commandments are understood not merely as a set of external rules but as a reflection of God's holy character and a guide for human flourishing ^{[4, 5]}. They summarize the moral law ^[1]. Jesus himself summarized the entire law into two great commandments: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:35-40) ^[3]. This demonstrates that the Decalogue, while specific, points to broader principles of love and obedience ^[4].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Commandments, the Ten — (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 10:4, marg. "ten words") i.e., the Decalogue (q.v.), is a summary of the immutable moral law. These commandments were first given in their written form to the people of Israel when they were encamped at Sinai, about fifty days after they came out of Egypt (Ex. 19:10-25). They were written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. The first tables were broken by Moses when he brought them down from the mount (32:19), being thrown by him on the ground. At the command of God he took up into the mount two other tables, and God”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Decalogue — The name given by the Greek fathers to the ten commandments; "the ten words," as the original is more literally rendered (Ex. 20:3-17). These commandments were at first written on two stone slabs (31:18), which were broken by Moses throwing them down on the ground (32:19). They were written by God a second time (34:1). The decalogue is alluded to in the New Testament five times (Matt. 5:17, 18, 19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom. 7:7, 8; 13:9; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10). These commandments have been divided since the days of Origen the Greek father, as they stand in th”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Commandments, the Ten — Spoken by God -- Ex 20:1; De 5:4,22. Written by God -- Ex 32:16; 34:1,28; De 4:13; 10:4. Enumerated -- Ex 20:3-17. Summed up Christ -- Mt 22:35-40. Law of, is spiritual -- See "Law of God". Mt 5:28; Ro 7:14.”
Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 10:13 (LEB) — to keep the commandments of Yahweh and his statutes that I am commanding you today ⌞for your own good⌟.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed) “Heidelberg Catechism (Reformed, 1563), Q. What is God’s law?: Q. What is God’s law? A. God spoke all these words: THE FIRST COMMANDMENT “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.” THE SECOND COMMANDMENT “You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of pa”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — THE RECITAL OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, AND AFTER WHAT MANNER THEY DO HERE PRESCRIBE TO US.: XXXVI. Have before thine eyes the fear of God, and always remember the ten commandments of God,--to love the one and only Lord God with all thy strength; to give no heed to idols, or any other beings, as being lifeless gods, or irrational beings or daemons. Consider the manifold workmanship of God, which received its beginning through Christ. Thou shalt observe the Sabbath, on account of Him who ceased from His work of creation, but cease”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 18:20: Thou knowest the commandments,.... The ten commandments given to Moses, and delivered to people; and which they were careful to teach their children; though five are only here mentioned, and not in the order in which they stand: suggesting hereby that these must be kept, or the law must he fulfilled, and satisfaction made for the violation of it, or there can be no inheriting eternal life. The five commandments mentioned are, the seventh, sixth, eighth, ninth, and fifth: do not commit adultery; do not kill; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honour father and t”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: to consider the division of the commandments, provided we remember that it is one of those matters in which every man should have full freedom of judgment, and on account of which, difference of opinion should not lead to contention. We are, indeed, under the necessity of making this observation, lest the division which we are to adopt should excite the surprise or derision of the reader, as novel or of recent invention. There is no room for controversy as to the fact, that the Law is divided into ten heads since this is repeatedly”
Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 20 (introduction): The preface to the ten commandments, Exo 20:1, Exo 20:2. The First commandment, against mental or theoretic idolatry, Exo 20:3. The Second, against making and worshipping images, or practical idolatry, Exo 20:4-6. The Third, against false swearing, blasphemy, and irreverent use of the name of God, Exo 20:7. The Fourth, against profanation of the Sabbath, and idleness on the other days of the week, Exo 20:8-11. The Fifth, against disrespect and disobedience to parents, Exo 20:12. The Sixth, against murder and cruelty, Exo 20:13. The Seventh, against adul”
Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 10:18: Thou knowest the commandments,.... Which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai; these the Jews taught their children; so that this young man might reasonably be thought to know what, and how many they were, though he was ignorant of the extent and spirituality of them; do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honour thy father and mother. In which may be observed, that the strict order in which the commandments stood is not kept; the seventh commandment, "thou shalt not commit adultery", is set before the sixth, "thou shal”
Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 20:1: AND GOD SPOKE. There are some very difficult questions to be raised in this chapter. Many say that God only uttered the first two statements. 1 The Biblical term for what is known in the western world as the Ten Commandments is aseret ha-devarim (Deut. 4:13; 10:4), the ten words or the ten statements. This is term that will be employed in this work. As proof they offer the fact that the first statement reads, I am the Lord thy God (v. 2), and the second, for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God (v. 5). 2 In other words, the first two statements are in the first ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — CHAP. LV.--TEN COMMANDMENTS CORRESPONDING: TO THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT. "On account of those, therefore, who by neglect of their own salvation please the evil one, and those who by study of their own profit seek to please the good One, ten things have been prescribed as a test to this present age, according to the number of the ten plagues which were brought upon Egypt. For when Moses, according to the commandment of God, demanded of Pharaoh that he should let the people go, and in token of his heavenly commission showed sign”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 40: divide the tenth, refer three commandments to the first table and seven to the second. According to the third arrangement mentioned above, there are four in the first, and six in the second. The only objection urged against this is founded on the symbolism of numbers. Three and seven among the Jews are sacred end significant; four and six are not. Arguments for the Arrangement adopted by the Reformed. There are two questions to be determined. First, should the commandments concerning idolatry be united or separated? In favour of consideri”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 40: § 2. Division of the Contents of the Decalogue. As the law given on Sinai and written on two tables of stone, is repeatedly called in the Scriptures “The Ten Words,” or, as it is in the English version of Exodus xxxiv. 28 , “The Ten Commandments,” there is no doubt that the contents of that law are to be divided into ten distinct precepts. (See Deut. iv. 13 , and x. 4 .) This summary of moral duties is also called in Scripture “The Covenant,” as containing the fundamental principles of the solemn contract between God and his chosen people”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 40: his field,” etc., etc. As coveting a man’s wife is a different offence, or at least a different form of a general offence, from coveting his house or land, if the order given in Deuteronomy be considered authoritative, there might be some reason for the separation. But if the order given in Exodus be adhered to, no such reason exists. The thing forbidden is cupidity, whatever be its object. That the order given in Exodus is authoritative may be argued, (1.) Because the law as there given was not only the first chronologically, but also wa”

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