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Exodus 20

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 20 of 40

1 And God spoke all these words, saying,

2 I am Jehovah your God, who has brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

3 You shall not have any other gods before Me.

4 You shall not make a graven image for yourself, or any likeness in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth;

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Chapter Summary

1 The Ten Cmmandments. 18 The people are afraid. 20 Moses comforts them. 22 Idolatry is forbidden. 24 An altar shall be made.

Key Hebrew Words

פֶּ֫סֶל graven image H6459 · TWOT 1788a
קַנָּא jealous H7067 · TWOT 2038b
חֶ֫סֶד covenant kindness H2617 · TWOT 698a
שַׁבָּת Sabbath H7676 · TWOT 2323b
נָסָה to test H5254 · TWOT 1373
מִזְבֵּחַ altar H4196 · TWOT 525b

Cross-References

People & Context

Jehovah / God

Speaks the Ten Commandments from the mountain and directs how an altar is to be built.

Moses

Mediator who comforts the trembling people and draws near the thick darkness where God is.

Timeline

The Ten Commandments

God speaks all Ten Commandments directly to the people: no other gods, no idols, don't take God's name in vain, keep Sabbath, honor parents, don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't bear false witness, don't covet.

Exodus 20:1-17
People's Fear, Moses as Mediator

People, terrified by the manifestations, ask Moses to speak with God on their behalf. Moses reassures them God has come to test them.

Exodus 20:18-21

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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