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1 God spoke all these words, saying, 2 *. Ex 20:2; Deut 5:6 (#1.1): T. I am Yahweh your God / R. To know there is a God
Consider: In Ancient Days, when two people would enter into a covenant, the greater of the two would preamble the covenant with a descriptive reason the covenant is being made, usually recounting past history and actions. The two entering covenant would have relationship established and next are the terms of the covenant, for both parties (see D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, chapter 1 and 2) “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], out of the house of bondage.
3 †. Ex 20:3; Deut 5:7 (Deut 5:6-7) (#2a.60): T. Not to recognize, bow down to, nor serve the deities of others in My Presence / R. Not to entertain the thought that there is any god but Adonai
R. Note: Jewish culture on karet ·to cut off·. Karet is God’s prerogative to be used in special cases only. This applies the capitol punishment (karet ·to be cut off·) to all generations alive at the time of the crime. This punishment is not a curse on the family, but it does put a close on the family linage (see D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, p106-107) “You shall have no other elohim ·deities, judges· before me.
4 ‡. Ex 20:4; Deut 5:8-10 (Ex 20:3-6) (#2a.61): Not to make a graven image nor to have one made for yourself by another “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 §. Ex 20:5; Deut 5:9 (Ex 20:5-6; Deut 5:8-10) (#2b.92): T. Not to bow down to an object of idolatry, even if that is its normal way of worship / R. Not to worship idols in the four ways we worship God, which are:
1. Ritually slaying a sacrifice 2. Burning a ritual substance on an altar 3. Pouring a libation ·of wine· 4. Prostrating oneself you shall not hawa ·bow low, prostrate· yourself down to them, *. Ex 20:5; Deut 5:9 (#2b.93): T. Not to worship or serve carved images / R. Not to worship an object of idolatry in its normal ways of worship
Consider: Serving other deities is an act of disloyalty and infidelity, one that God considers like adultery and treats with marital jealousy nor abad ·serve· them, for I, Yahweh [He sustains breathing] your God, am El Kana' [Jealous God], visiting the depravity (moral evil) of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing chesed ·loving-kindness· to thousands of those who 'ahav ·affectionately love· me and keep my mitzvot ·instructions·.
7 †. Ex 20:7; Deut 5:11 (Ex 20:5-7) (#3.189): T. Not take or use the name of Yahweh your God in vain / R. Not to take an oath in vain
Reason: For Adonai will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain
T. Example: Blasphemy: idolaters, manifesting disrespect towards God, and insulting His chosen leaders
Note: Hebrew Language: Nakav ·blaspheme· not only signifies to curse, or blaspheme, but also to express, or distinguish by name, to invoke a name
R. Example: Blasphemy goes beyond pronouncing the divine name, especially in an inappropriate context (Sanhedrin 7:5) / R. Example: Judaism views blasphemy as: using God’s name when swearing, using God’s name to call as a witness for truth when lying, or by joining God’s name to inappropriate or unacceptable actions or objects (The Nine Commands, Freedman, p47-49)
Note: This name, the Tetragrammaton ·four letters·, is sacred and, with one exception, is never pronounced. When the Temple stood, on Yom Kippur ·Day of Atonement·, the Cohen Gadol ·High Priest· would pronounce the Name in a sacred ceremony Consider: The Greek word Tetragrammaton is not used in the Bible, but the Hebrew name it represents, YHVH or Yahweh, is used 5,410 total times in the Old Covenant. Total times in Torah 1,419 (Genesis 153 times, Exodus 364, Leviticus 285, Numbers 387, Deuteronomy 230); Total times in Prophets 2,696; Total times in Writings 1,295
R. Note: In Judaism there are multiple sacred and specific names for God, these names are designated by how many letters each name has. These names are sacred and should not be used lightly. Yah 3, Ha-Shem [The Name] which refers to YHVH 4, Shem ha-Meforash [Name The Distinguished] 12, Shem ha-Meyuḥad [Name The Extraordinary] 42, Shem Vayisa Vayet 72; word for word translation of the 72 is Shem [Name] Vayisa [Raised] Vayet [Stretched out / Turned]. Remember to always show respect when using God’s names “You shall not use את the name of Yahweh your God worthlessly, for Adonai will not hold him guiltless את who takes את his name in vain.
8 ‡. Ex 20:8; Deut 5:12 (Gen 2:1-3; Ex 20:8-11) (#4.280): T. To set apart the seventh day, Sabbath day, and keep it holy / R. To sanctify the day with Kiddush ·Sanctification· and Havdallah ·Separation·; these are the rituals and prayers associated with bringing in Sabbath Friday night (7th day) and closing Sabbath Saturday evening (1st day)
T. Reason: Sabbath is a remembrance that God rested from all his works and blessed the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3) / R. Quoting, Rabbi Shimon ben Menasia said “The Sabbath was handed to you, not you to the Sabbath”. Rabbi Yeshua says “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27)
R. Directive: You are not to harvest on Sabbath according to (Ex 34:21). The Rabbis define what constitutes harvesting as: picking grain, removing the husks, rubbing the heads, cleaning or bruising the ears, throwing the ears up in the hand “Remember the Shabath ·Intermission· day, to keep it holy. 9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work, 10 §. Ex 20:10 (Ex 20:8-11, 31:12-17; Num 15:32-36; Deut 5:13-15) (#4.281): T. Not to do work on the Sabbath / R. Not to do prohibited labor on the Sabbath
Directive: You, your children, your servants, and your animals shall rest on Sabbath from work. This is a Sabbath unto Adonai your God. The punishment for breaking Sabbath by working (example: gathering sticks) is stoning (Num 15:32-36)
R. Note: Defining work is the 39 melachot ·works·. These are derived from the actions required for building the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle. These 39 general categories of labor that are forbidden on Shabbat. Each of these categories include a range of derivative laws and activities. The melachot ·work· are generally divided into six groups, classified according to the Tabernacle’s activities with which they are associated (Ex 20:8-11, 31:12-17)
1. Field Work: Sowing; Plowing; Reaping; Binding Sheaves; Threshing; Winnowing; Selecting; Grinding; Sifting; Kneading; Baking
2. Making Material Curtains: Shearing Wool; Cleaning; Combing; Dyeing; Spinning; Stretching the Threads; Making Loops; Weaving Threads; Separating the Threads; Tying a Knot; Untying a Knot; Sewing; Tearing
3. Making Leather Curtains: Trapping; Slaughtering; Skinning (Flaying); Salting; Tanning; Scraping; Cutting (based on Ex 20:8-11)
4. Making the Beams of the Tabernacle: Writing; Erasing
5. The Putting up and Taking down of the Tabernacle: Building; Breaking Down
6. The Tabernacle’s Final Touches: Extinguishing a Fire; Kindling a Fire; Striking the Final Hammer Blow; Carrying
R. Note: The Mishnah, commenting on (Haggai 1:8), describes the 39 melachot ·work· laws as “mountains hanging on a thread” referring to the command not to work on Sabbath but the seventh day is a Shabath ·Intermission· to Adonai your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days Adonai made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Adonai blessed the Shabath ·Intermission· day, and made it holy.
12 *. Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16 (#5.359): T. To honor your father and mother / R. To respect your father and mother
T. Note: In Hebrew, the prime root word kavad ·honor, heavy· is used in (Ex 20:12) to describe honoring one’s parents.
T. Note: The Hebrew word kavod ·glory, riches, abundance, weight· used to describe the glory of God as in (Ex 33:18, 33:22). The root word of kavod is the prime root word kavad ·honor, heavy·. (See D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, p76) “Honor your father and your mother, †. Quoted in Matt 15:4; Mark 7:10 so that your days may be long in the land ‡. Quoted in Eph 6:2-3 which Adonai your God gives you.
13 §. Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17 (#6.380): T. Not to murder / T. Not to commit homicide (alternative phrasing) / R. Not to kill an innocent person
T. Note: Murder is defined in (Num 35:16-21) as being premeditated with intent or hatred towards another, then taking action against said person causing their death “You shall not murder. *. Quoted in Matt 5:21; Rom 13:9
14 †. Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18 [Heb Bible Ex 20:13; Deut 5:18] (#7.433): T. Not to commit adultery / R. This command is not included in Rambam’s 613 list
R. Note: This command is not listed in the Rambam 613 list nor on the Messer 613 list
Consider: This is only a speculation, maybe this was not listed because Rambam thought it was encompassed by the command of not coveting, Command 10 (Ex 20:17) / Consider: This is only a speculation, maybe this was not listed because Rambam thought the command of (Lev 18:6 OU437) or (Lev 18:19 OU456) and the whole of (Lev ch 18) encompassed this singular command “You shall not commit adultery. ‡. Quoted in James 2:11 §. Quoted in Matt 5:27; Rom 2:22
15 *. Ex 20:15; Deut 5:19 [Heb Bible Ex 20:13; Deut 5:19] (Ex 21:16) (#8.486): T. Not to steal / R. Not to kidnap any person of Israel [God prevails]. (This command is implied here, but derived from (Ex 21:16))
R. Note: The Rabbis clarify this refers to theft of a person “You shall not steal. †. Quoted in Rom 2:21 ‡. Quoted in Rom 13:9
16 §. Ex 20:16; Deut 5:20 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:20] (#9.546): Not to testify falsely against your neighbor “You shall not give false witness *. Quoted in Matt 19:18-19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20 against your neighbor.
17 †Hebrew ch 20 v. 14‡. Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18] (#10.578): T. Not to covet / R. Not to covet and scheme to acquire another’s possession
Consider: (Ex 20) orders the list as “house, wife, servant” whereas (Deut 5) orders the list “wife, house, field, servant”. §. Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18] (#10.579): T. Not to covet kol ·anything, everything, the whole· that belongs to your neighbor / R. Not to desire another’s possession
T. Note: The Hebrew word kol means ·anything, everything, the whole· / T. Note: Exodus uses the word “covet” whereas Deuteronomy used “desire” and “covet” “You shall not covet *. Quoted in Rom 7:7 †. Quoted in Rom 13:9 your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
(A:7) 18 ‡Hebrew ch 20 v. 15 All the people perceived the thunder, the lightnings, the sound of the shofar ·ram horn·, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. 19 They said to Moses [Drawn out], “Speak with us yourself, and we will sh'ma ·hear obey·; but don’t let God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 Moses [Drawn out] said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin ·err (the standard goal)·.” 21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moses [Drawn out] came near to the thick darkness where God was.
(A: Maftir ·Conclusion·) 22 §Hebrew ch 20 v. 19 Adonai said to Moses [Drawn out], “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel [God prevails]: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 *. Ex 20:23 [Heb Bible Ex 20:20] (#2a.62): T. Not to make deities of silver or gold / R. Not to make human figures or forms for decoration, even if they are not worshiped You shall most certainly not make alongside of me deities of silver, or deities of gold for yourselves. (S: Maftir ·Conclusion·) 24 †Hebrew ch 20 v. 21 You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. 25 ‡. Ex 20:25 [Heb Bible Ex 20:22] (#2b.94): T. Not to build an altar of hewn, man-made stones / R. Not to build the altar with stones hewn by metal
Consider: (Gen 11:3-4) describes the Tower of Nimrod ·Let us rebel·, also called the Tower of Bavel ·Confusion·. He used baked brick stones, all stones are like one another. God declares that he wants natural stones with individual characteristics, not hewn by man made tools If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. 26 §. Ex 20:26 [Heb Bible Ex 20:23] (#2b.95): Not to use steps to go up to Adonai’s altar You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.’
Haftarah Yitro ·Taking leave· ·Jethro [Abundance]·:
Yesha'yahu / Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:6-7 (A); 6:1-13 (S)
B'rit Hadashah ·New Covenant·: Matt 6:1-8:1

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*20:2 . Ex 20:2; Deut 5:6 (#1.1): T. I am Yahweh your God / R. To know there is a God Consider: In Ancient Days, when two people would enter into a covenant, the greater of the two would preamble the covenant with a descriptive reason the covenant is being made, usually recounting past history and actions. The two entering covenant would have relationship established and next are the terms of the covenant, for both parties (see D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, chapter 1 and 2)

†20:3 . Ex 20:3; Deut 5:7 (Deut 5:6-7) (#2a.60): T. Not to recognize, bow down to, nor serve the deities of others in My Presence / R. Not to entertain the thought that there is any god but Adonai R. Note: Jewish culture on karet ·to cut off·. Karet is God’s prerogative to be used in special cases only. This applies the capitol punishment (karet ·to be cut off·) to all generations alive at the time of the crime. This punishment is not a curse on the family, but it does put a close on the family linage (see D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, p106-107)

‡20:4 . Ex 20:4; Deut 5:8-10 (Ex 20:3-6) (#2a.61): Not to make a graven image nor to have one made for yourself by another

§20:5 . Ex 20:5; Deut 5:9 (Ex 20:5-6; Deut 5:8-10) (#2b.92): T. Not to bow down to an object of idolatry, even if that is its normal way of worship / R. Not to worship idols in the four ways we worship God, which are: 1. Ritually slaying a sacrifice 2. Burning a ritual substance on an altar 3. Pouring a libation ·of wine· 4. Prostrating oneself

*20:5 . Ex 20:5; Deut 5:9 (#2b.93): T. Not to worship or serve carved images / R. Not to worship an object of idolatry in its normal ways of worship Consider: Serving other deities is an act of disloyalty and infidelity, one that God considers like adultery and treats with marital jealousy

†20:7 . Ex 20:7; Deut 5:11 (Ex 20:5-7) (#3.189): T. Not take or use the name of Yahweh your God in vain / R. Not to take an oath in vainReason: For Adonai will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vainT. Example: Blasphemy: idolaters, manifesting disrespect towards God, and insulting His chosen leaders Note: Hebrew Language: Nakav ·blaspheme· not only signifies to curse, or blaspheme, but also to express, or distinguish by name, to invoke a name R. Example: Blasphemy goes beyond pronouncing the divine name, especially in an inappropriate context (Sanhedrin 7:5) / R. Example: Judaism views blasphemy as: using God’s name when swearing, using God’s name to call as a witness for truth when lying, or by joining God’s name to inappropriate or unacceptable actions or objects (The Nine Commands, Freedman, p47-49) Note: This name, the Tetragrammaton ·four letters·, is sacred and, with one exception, is never pronounced. When the Temple stood, on Yom Kippur ·Day of Atonement·, the Cohen Gadol ·High Priest· would pronounce the Name in a sacred ceremony Consider: The Greek word Tetragrammaton is not used in the Bible, but the Hebrew name it represents, YHVH or Yahweh, is used 5,410 total times in the Old Covenant. Total times in Torah 1,419 (Genesis 153 times, Exodus 364, Leviticus 285, Numbers 387, Deuteronomy 230); Total times in Prophets 2,696; Total times in Writings 1,295 R. Note: In Judaism there are multiple sacred and specific names for God, these names are designated by how many letters each name has. These names are sacred and should not be used lightly. Yah 3, Ha-Shem [The Name] which refers to YHVH 4, Shem ha-Meforash [Name The Distinguished] 12, Shem ha-Meyuḥad [Name The Extraordinary] 42, Shem Vayisa Vayet 72; word for word translation of the 72 is Shem [Name] Vayisa [Raised] Vayet [Stretched out / Turned]. Remember to always show respect when using God’s names

‡20:8 . Ex 20:8; Deut 5:12 (Gen 2:1-3; Ex 20:8-11) (#4.280): T. To set apart the seventh day, Sabbath day, and keep it holy / R. To sanctify the day with Kiddush ·Sanctification· and Havdallah ·Separation·; these are the rituals and prayers associated with bringing in Sabbath Friday night (7th day) and closing Sabbath Saturday evening (1st day) T. Reason: Sabbath is a remembrance that God rested from all his works and blessed the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3) / R. Quoting, Rabbi Shimon ben Menasia said “The Sabbath was handed to you, not you to the Sabbath”. Rabbi Yeshua says “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27) R. Directive: You are not to harvest on Sabbath according to (Ex 34:21). The Rabbis define what constitutes harvesting as: picking grain, removing the husks, rubbing the heads, cleaning or bruising the ears, throwing the ears up in the hand

§20:10 . Ex 20:10 (Ex 20:8-11, 31:12-17; Num 15:32-36; Deut 5:13-15) (#4.281): T. Not to do work on the Sabbath / R. Not to do prohibited labor on the Sabbath Directive: You, your children, your servants, and your animals shall rest on Sabbath from work. This is a Sabbath unto Adonai your God. The punishment for breaking Sabbath by working (example: gathering sticks) is stoning (Num 15:32-36) R. Note: Defining work is the 39 melachot ·works·. These are derived from the actions required for building the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle. These 39 general categories of labor that are forbidden on Shabbat. Each of these categories include a range of derivative laws and activities. The melachot ·work· are generally divided into six groups, classified according to the Tabernacle’s activities with which they are associated (Ex 20:8-11, 31:12-17) 1. Field Work: Sowing; Plowing; Reaping; Binding Sheaves; Threshing; Winnowing; Selecting; Grinding; Sifting; Kneading; Baking 2. Making Material Curtains: Shearing Wool; Cleaning; Combing; Dyeing; Spinning; Stretching the Threads; Making Loops; Weaving Threads; Separating the Threads; Tying a Knot; Untying a Knot; Sewing; Tearing 3. Making Leather Curtains: Trapping; Slaughtering; Skinning (Flaying); Salting; Tanning; Scraping; Cutting (based on Ex 20:8-11) 4. Making the Beams of the Tabernacle: Writing; Erasing 5. The Putting up and Taking down of the Tabernacle: Building; Breaking Down 6. The Tabernacle’s Final Touches: Extinguishing a Fire; Kindling a Fire; Striking the Final Hammer Blow; Carrying R. Note: The Mishnah, commenting on (Haggai 1:8), describes the 39 melachot ·work· laws as “mountains hanging on a thread” referring to the command not to work on Sabbath

*20:12 . Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16 (#5.359): T. To honor your father and mother / R. To respect your father and mother T. Note: In Hebrew, the prime root word kavad ·honor, heavy· is used in (Ex 20:12) to describe honoring one’s parents. T. Note: The Hebrew word kavod ·glory, riches, abundance, weight· used to describe the glory of God as in (Ex 33:18, 33:22). The root word of kavod is the prime root word kavad ·honor, heavy·. (See D. Freedman, The Nine Commandments, p76)

†20:12 . Quoted in Matt 15:4; Mark 7:10

‡20:12 . Quoted in Eph 6:2-3

§20:13 . Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17 (#6.380): T. Not to murder / T. Not to commit homicide (alternative phrasing) / R. Not to kill an innocent person T. Note: Murder is defined in (Num 35:16-21) as being premeditated with intent or hatred towards another, then taking action against said person causing their death

*20:13 . Quoted in Matt 5:21; Rom 13:9

†20:14 . Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18 [Heb Bible Ex 20:13; Deut 5:18] (#7.433): T. Not to commit adultery / R. This command is not included in Rambam’s 613 list R. Note: This command is not listed in the Rambam 613 list nor on the Messer 613 list Consider: This is only a speculation, maybe this was not listed because Rambam thought it was encompassed by the command of not coveting, Command 10 (Ex 20:17) / Consider: This is only a speculation, maybe this was not listed because Rambam thought the command of (Lev 18:6 OU437) or (Lev 18:19 OU456) and the whole of (Lev ch 18) encompassed this singular command

‡20:14 . Quoted in James 2:11

§20:14 . Quoted in Matt 5:27; Rom 2:22

*20:15 . Ex 20:15; Deut 5:19 [Heb Bible Ex 20:13; Deut 5:19] (Ex 21:16) (#8.486): T. Not to steal / R. Not to kidnap any person of Israel [God prevails]. (This command is implied here, but derived from (Ex 21:16)) R. Note: The Rabbis clarify this refers to theft of a person

†20:15 . Quoted in Rom 2:21

‡20:15 . Quoted in Rom 13:9

§20:16 . Ex 20:16; Deut 5:20 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:20] (#9.546): Not to testify falsely against your neighbor

*20:16 . Quoted in Matt 19:18-19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20

†20:17 Hebrew ch 20 v. 14

‡20:17 . Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18] (#10.578): T. Not to covet / R. Not to covet and scheme to acquire another’s possession Consider: (Ex 20) orders the list as “house, wife, servant” whereas (Deut 5) orders the list “wife, house, field, servant”.

§20:17 . Ex 20:17; Deut 5:21 [Heb Bible Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18] (#10.579): T. Not to covet kol ·anything, everything, the whole· that belongs to your neighbor / R. Not to desire another’s possession T. Note: The Hebrew word kol means ·anything, everything, the whole· / T. Note: Exodus uses the word “covet” whereas Deuteronomy used “desire” and “covet”

*20:17 . Quoted in Rom 7:7

†20:17 . Quoted in Rom 13:9

‡20:18 Hebrew ch 20 v. 15

§20:22 Hebrew ch 20 v. 19

*20:23 . Ex 20:23 [Heb Bible Ex 20:20] (#2a.62): T. Not to make deities of silver or gold / R. Not to make human figures or forms for decoration, even if they are not worshiped

†20:24 Hebrew ch 20 v. 21

‡20:25 . Ex 20:25 [Heb Bible Ex 20:22] (#2b.94): T. Not to build an altar of hewn, man-made stones / R. Not to build the altar with stones hewn by metal Consider: (Gen 11:3-4) describes the Tower of Nimrod ·Let us rebel·, also called the Tower of Bavel ·Confusion·. He used baked brick stones, all stones are like one another. God declares that he wants natural stones with individual characteristics, not hewn by man made tools

§20:26 . Ex 20:26 [Heb Bible Ex 20:23] (#2b.95): Not to use steps to go up to Adonai’s altar

© 2016,2019 Thomas Robinson