Exodus – Chapter 20

Old Testament26 Verses

Chapter Summary

Exodus 20 opens with the words: "And the Lord spoke all these words:" Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 26 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And the Lord spoke all these words:

2I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3Thou shalt not have strange gods before me.

4Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth.

5Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:

6And shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord his God in vain.

8Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day.

9Six days shalt thou labour, and shalt do all thy works.

10But on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work on it, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates.

11For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.

12Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be longlived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee.

13Thou shalt not kill.

14Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15Thou shalt not steal.

16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house; neither shalt thou desire his wife, nor his servant, nor his handmaid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.

18And all the people saw the voices and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and being terrified and struck with fear, they stood afar off,

19Saying to Moses: Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die.

20And Moses said to the people: Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that the dread of him might be in you, and you should not sin.

21And the people stood afar off. But Moses went to the dark cloud wherein God was.

22And the Lord said to Moses: Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.

23You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold.

24You shall make an altar of earth unto me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be: I will come to thee, and will bless thee.

25And if thou make an altar of stone unto me, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up a tool upon it, it shall be defiled.

26Thou shalt not go up by steps unto my altar, lest thy nakedness be discovered.

Important Verses in Exodus 20

I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:2

Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:

Exodus 20:5

For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.

Exodus 20:11

And Moses said to the people: Fear not; for God is come to prove you, and that the dread of him might be in you, and you should not sin.

Exodus 20:20

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Exodus was written with israel in every generation, commanded to remember the Passover as a perpetual memorial in view. Chapter 20 of 40 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a legal and cultic instruction given to Israel regarding worship, holiness, and daily life with 26 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Moses, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And the Lord spoke all these words:" The chapter ends with: "Thou shalt not go up by steps unto my altar, lest thy nakedness be discovered. " In terms of historical background, Exodus recounts the defining event of the Old Testament: God's liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh, most likely Ramesses II. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Exodus around Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing

When It Was Written

Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter presents divine statutes and cultic norms that shaped Israel's worship and moral life. A pivotal line is verse 2: "I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Exodus 20 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees the Exodus as prefiguring Baptism and the Eucharist (CIC 1221, 1363). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1965).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

People in This Chapter

Moses4 mentions

Reflection for Today

Exodus Chapter 20 presents the Ten Commandments, which Catholic moral theology recognizes as the foundation of the moral law. The Catechism devotes extensive treatment to each commandment (CIC 2052-2557), teaching that they express the natural law written on every human heart and summarize our duties to God and neighbor.

The Church understands the Decalogue as a gift of divine wisdom, not arbitrary rules but the path to human flourishing. The Catechism teaches that "the Commandments take on their full meaning within the covenant" (CIC 2061)—they are the response of love to God who first loved us. Jesus summarized them in the twofold command to love God and neighbor.

The first three commandments govern our relationship with God; the remaining seven govern our relationships with one another. Catholic tradition sees in this structure the two tablets of the Law, reflecting the two dimensions of love. The Catechism emphasizes that the commandments are interconnected—violating one affects our observance of all. This chapter reminds us that God's law is not a burden but a blessing, showing us the way to authentic freedom and happiness.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exodus Chapter 20 about?

Exodus 20 contains 26 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke all these words:" and closes with "Thou shalt not go up by steps unto my altar, lest thy nakedness be discovered. ". The book as a whole is narrative, law, and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Exodus 20?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Exodus Chapter 20?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote Exodus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses, with later inspired editing. Describes events of the 13th century BC; reached final written form between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles