Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Exodus 20

Exo 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,

God spake all these words

Law (of Moses). vs. 1-17; Exo 31:18. (Exodus 19:1; Galatians 3:1-29).

Inspiration. Exo 24:3, 4, 7, 8, 12. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

Israel (history). vs. 1-17; Exo 40:1-38. (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:26.)

Exo 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:

There is a threefold giving of the law.

• First, orally, in Exodus 20:1-17. This was pure law, with no provision of priesthood and sacrifice for failure, and was accompanied by the "judgments" (Exodus 21:1 - 23:13) relating to the relations of Hebrew with Hebrew; to which were added (Exodus 23:14-19) directions for keeping three annual feasts, and (Exodus 23:20-33) instructions for the conquest of Canaan. These words Moses communicated to the people (Exodus 24:3-8). Immediately, in the persons of their elders, they were admitted to the fellowship of God (Exodus 24:9-11).
• Second, Moses was then called up to receive the tables of stone (Exodus 24:12-18). The story then divides. Moses, in the mount, receives the gracious instructions concerning the tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrifice (Exo 25-31). Meantime (Ex 32), the people, led by Aaron, break the first commandment. Moses, returning, breaks the tables "written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18; 32:16-19).
• Third, the second tables were made, and the law again written by Moses in the presence of Jehovah (Exodus 34:1, 28, 29).

Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

sabbath day

Sabbath. vs. 8-11; Exo 31:13-16. (Gen 2:3; Mat 12:1.)

Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Honour thy father and thy mother

Mat 15:4; 19:19; Mar 7:10.

Exo 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not kill

Mat 5:21; 19:18; Luk 18:20; Mar 10:19.

Exo 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not commit adultery

Mat 5:27; Mar 10:19; Luk 18:20; Rom 13:9; Jas 2:11.

Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Thou shalt not covet

Cf. Rom 7:7.

Exo 20:18 And 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.

stood afar off

For contrast between law and grace, cf. Ephesians 2:13; Luke 1:10, with Hebrews 10:19-22.

Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Fear not

Scofield Psalms 19:9, note.

Exo 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

if thou lift up thy tool upon it

Jos 8:30, 31; Rom 4:4-8; Eph 2:8-10.