The term "Decalogue" refers to the Ten Commandments, a set of divine laws given by God to the people of Israel through Moses. These commandments are foundational to Judeo-Christian ethics and are recorded in two primary biblical passages: Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The Decalogue is central to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, serving as a moral and spiritual guide.

1. The First Commandment:
"You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3)

This commandment establishes the exclusivity of worship owed to Yahweh, the God of Israel. It prohibits idolatry and polytheism, affirming the monotheistic nature of the faith.

2. The Second Commandment:
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath." (Exodus 20:4)

This commandment forbids the creation and worship of idols or images, emphasizing the transcendence and invisibility of God. It underscores the importance of worshiping God in spirit and truth.

3. The Third Commandment:
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)

This commandment calls for reverence for God's name, prohibiting its misuse or trivialization. It highlights the sacredness of God's identity and the respect due to Him.

4. The Fourth Commandment:
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." (Exodus 20:8)

The Sabbath commandment institutes a day of rest and worship, reflecting God's rest on the seventh day of creation. It serves as a sign of the covenant and a reminder of God's provision and sanctification.

5. The Fifth Commandment:
"Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)

This commandment emphasizes the importance of family structure and respect for parental authority. It is the first commandment with a promise, linking obedience to longevity and prosperity.

6. The Sixth Commandment:
"You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13)

This commandment prohibits the unlawful taking of human life, affirming the sanctity of life created in the image of God. It underscores the value and dignity of every person.

7. The Seventh Commandment:
"You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)

This commandment upholds the sanctity of marriage, forbidding sexual relations outside the marital covenant. It calls for faithfulness and purity in relationships.

8. The Eighth Commandment:
"You shall not steal." (Exodus 20:15)

This commandment prohibits taking what belongs to others, affirming the right to personal property and the importance of honesty and integrity.

9. The Ninth Commandment:
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." (Exodus 20:16)

This commandment forbids lying or giving false testimony, particularly in legal settings. It emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and justice in community life.

10. The Tenth Commandment:
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17)

This commandment addresses the inner desires and attitudes of the heart, warning against envy and discontentment. It calls for contentment and gratitude for God's provision.

The Decalogue is not merely a set of rules but a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in a way that honors Him and promotes harmony within the community. These commandments have been revered throughout history as a moral compass and a foundation for ethical conduct.Exodus 20:1-17
And God spoke all these words, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 5:7-21
You shall have none other gods before me.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 19:18,19
He said to him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 22:34-40
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 10:25-28
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Nave's Topical Index

Romans 13:8-10
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
Nave's Topical Index

The Decalogue: I --Man and God
... a positive institution, and in so far unlike the preceding commandments, it is ... The
version of the Decalogue in Deuteronomy bases it on the Egyptian deliverance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the decalogue iman and god.htm

Whether it is Right to Distinguish Other Moral Precepts of the Law ...
... two commandments" of charity "dependeth the whole law and the prophets." But these
two commandments are explained by the ten commandments of the decalogue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is right to.htm

How the Decalogue Kills, if Grace be not Present.
... Now, to make our statement all the clearer, let us look at the Decalogue itself. ...
It is summed up in these ten commandments, in which there is no precept about ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 xiv how the decalogue.htm

The Decalogue: ii. --Man and Man
... I. The broad distinction between the two halves of the Decalogue is that the ... the
New Testament summary of 'all the law,' as found in two commandments, and is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the decalogue ii man and man.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue Should have Included a ...
... I answer that, As stated above ([2833]FS, Q[100], A[3]; A[5], ad 1) when we were
treating of precepts, the commandments of the decalogue being given to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 5.htm

On Particular Acts of Obedience, or those which are Prescribed in ...
... IN GENERAL. The special acts of obedience are prescribed in the decalogue,
and in each of the commandments. The decalogue, therefore ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxiii on particular acts.htm

Gnostic Exposition of the Decalogue.
... This is the physical Decalogue of the earth. ... The commandments are written, then,
doubly, as appears, for twofold spirits, the ruling and the subject. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi gnostic exposition of the.htm

Monoimus on the Sabbath; Allegorizes the Rod of Moses; Notion ...
... on the Sabbath; Allegorizes the Rod of Moses; Notion Concerning the Decalogue. ... tittle,
the law constitutes the series of the ten commandments which expresses ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii monoimus on the sabbath.htm

At First God Deemed it Sufficient to Inscribe the Natural Law, or ...
... He had implanted in mankind, that is, by means of the Decalogue (which, if ... He did
so], that they who are willing to follow Him might keep these commandments. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xv at first god deemed.htm

The Commandments
... and thus contempt, rejection, and blasphemy, it follows that the name of God is
interiorly profaned by a life contrary to the commandments of the Decalogue. ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part secondthe commandments.htm

What are the Ten Commandments? What is the Decalogue? | GotQuestions.org

Are the Ten Commandments repeated in the New Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Why is "You shall not give false testimony" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

Decalogue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus