Exodus 20:3

+ 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) “You shall have no other elohim ·deities, judges· before me.

One Unity Resource Bible

In The King James Version

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

In Context

2+ 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) “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], out of the house of bondage.

4+ 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 “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:

Read all of Exodus 20

Cross References

Exodus 15:11Who is like you, Adonai, among the deities? 2 Who is like you, glorious in holiness, 2 fearful in tehilah ·praise song·, doing wonders? 1

Exodus 22:19“Whoever has sex with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Deuteronomy 5:7+ 5:7. Deut 5:7; Ex 20:3 (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 deities before me.

Deuteronomy 6:14You shall not go after other deities, of the deities of the peoples who are around you;

Matthew Henry on Exodus 20:2-12

The Ten Commandments. ( b. c. 1491.) 1 And God spake all these words, saying, 2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 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: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Exodus 20:3