📖 Exodus — Chapter 20 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Exodus 20:1 RAnd God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:2 I am Rthe LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of Tbondage.
Exodus 20:3 RThou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:4 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.
Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not Rbow 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;
Exodus 20:6 And Rshewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not Rtake the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Exodus 20:8 RRemember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:9 RSix days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exodus 20:10 But Rthe 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:
Exodus 20:11 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.
Exodus 20:12 RHonour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:13 RThou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:14 RThou shalt not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:15 RThou shalt not steal.
Exodus 20:16 RThou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s Rwife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Exodus 20:18 RAnd all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.
Exodus 20:19 And they said unto Moses, RSpeak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, RFear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Exodus 20:21 And Rthe people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that RI have talked with you from heaven.
Exodus 20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
Exodus 20:24 An Raltar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Exodus 20:25 RAnd if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not Tbuild it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that Rthy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 20:1–7 — Worship the LORD Alone
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
God identifies himself as the LORD who brought Israel out of bondage. He forbids other gods, graven images for worship, and taking his name in vain. The passage describes his jealousy and his mercy toward those who love him and keep his commandments.
Key Truth: The LORD requires exclusive worship and reverence for his name.
Check What You Remember
1. Who brought Israel out of Egypt? (Exodus 20:2)
Find it in Exodus 20:2 (KJV).
2. Were other gods to come before the LORD? (Exodus 20:3)
Find it in Exodus 20:3 (KJV).
3. How must the LORD's name not be taken? (Exodus 20:7)
Find it in Exodus 20:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 20:8–17 — Rest and Duties toward Others
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The sabbath is to be kept holy, with the creation pattern as its basis. The commandments require honour for parents and prohibit killing, adultery, stealing, false witness, and coveting. These instructions govern both actions and desire.
Key Truth: God's commandments address worship, relationships, and the heart.
Check What You Remember
1. Which day is the sabbath in this passage? (Exodus 20:10)
Find it in Exodus 20:10 (KJV).
2. Whom are people commanded to honour? (Exodus 20:12)
Find it in Exodus 20:12 (KJV).
3. What kind of witness against a neighbour is forbidden? (Exodus 20:16)
Find it in Exodus 20:16 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 20:18–21 — The People's Fear and Moses' Role
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people stand far off when they witness the thunder, lightning, trumpet, and smoking mountain. They ask Moses to speak with them. Moses explains that God's manifestation is to prove them and place his fear before them so that they do not sin. Moses draws near.
Key Truth: The encounter calls the people to reverence and obedience.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did the people ask to speak with them? (Exodus 20:19)
Find it in Exodus 20:19 (KJV).
2. What did Moses say God's fear should help them avoid? (Exodus 20:20)
Find it in Exodus 20:20 (KJV).
3. Who drew near to the thick darkness? (Exodus 20:21)
Find it in Exodus 20:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Exodus 20:22–26 — Instructions for Altars
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
God repeats the prohibition against silver and gold gods. He gives instructions for an altar of earth or unhewn stone and forbids steps that would expose nakedness. Worship is to follow his directions rather than human display.
Key Truth: God specifies how Israel is to honour him in worship.
Check What You Remember
1. What material is specified for an altar in verse 24? (Exodus 20:24)
Find it in Exodus 20:24 (KJV).
2. If an altar was made of stone, could the stones be hewn? (Exodus 20:25)
Find it in Exodus 20:25 (KJV).
3. Were steps permitted up to the altar? (Exodus 20:26)
Find it in Exodus 20:26 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the introduction frame the commandments in relation to Israel’s history?
2. How does the sabbath command extend beyond the household’s free adults?
3. What reason does the command give for the seventh-day rest?
4. How does Moses distinguish harmful fear from the purpose of God’s fear?
5. What two altar restrictions protect the stated conditions of worship?
Notes
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