The big picture
Exodus 20 opens in verse 1 with “And God spake all these words, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 13 with “Thou shalt not kill.”, and closes in verse 26 with “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, earth, Moses, people, altar. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 26Exodus 20:1-7
1–7: God spake all these words, saying,
Exodus 20:1–7 opens with “And God spake all these words, saying,” and reaches “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, earth, name.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And God spake all these words, saying,” By verse 4, the text has turned to “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in…” It lands on “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as LORD, earth, name, vain, beneath, bondage tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Thou, Egypt. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, earth, name, vain, beneath, bondage
Verse-by-verse path
- Exodus 20:1
“And God spake all these words, saying,” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
- Exodus 20:2
“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Naming Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:3
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 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…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:5
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:6
“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” The line’s distinctive content terms include commandments, keep, love. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Exodus 20:7
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 20:1-7
King James Version1And God spake all these words, saying,
2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4Thou 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:
5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, 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 of 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 taketh his name in vain.
Exodus 20:8-14
8–14: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:8–14 opens with “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” and reaches “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, days, sabbath.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” By verse 11, the text has turned to “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested…” It lands on “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 stated contrast, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as LORD, days, sabbath, seventh, work, adultery tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Thou, Honour, Remember, Six. Its number language includes six. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 10: “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: LORD, days, sabbath, seventh, work, adultery
Verse-by-verse path
- Exodus 20:8
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Naming Remember keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:9
“Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
- Exodus 20:10
“But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
- Exodus 20:11
“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
- Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Naming Honour keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:13
“Thou shalt not kill.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:14
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 20:8-14
King James Version8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
13Thou shalt not kill.
14Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:15-21
15–21: Thou shalt not steal.
Exodus 20:15–21 opens with “Thou shalt not steal.” and reaches “And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by people, Moses, neighbour’s.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “Thou shalt not steal.” By verse 18, the text has turned to “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet…” It lands on “And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 1 stated contrast, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as people, Moses, neighbour’s, afar, covet, fear tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Moses, Thou, Fear, Speak. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 18: “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: people, Moses, neighbour’s, afar, covet, fear
Verse-by-verse path
- Exodus 20:15
“Thou shalt not steal.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:16
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:17
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:18
“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking…” The line’s distinctive content terms include people, afar, lightnings. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Exodus 20:19
“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 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…” Naming Fear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:21
“And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 20:15-21
King James Version15Thou shalt not steal.
16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17Thou 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.
18And 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.
19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20And 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.
21And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:22-26
22–26: The LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of…
Exodus 20:22–26 opens with “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that…” and reaches “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by altar, gods, offerings.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen…” By verse 24, the text has turned to “An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings…” It lands on “Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 verse with a speech marker, 1 verse naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
The covenant audience and the reason attached to each command show how worship, holiness, justice, mercy, and communal responsibility belong together. Words such as altar, gods, offerings, stone, bless, build tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Israel, Moses, Neither. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 24: “An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: altar, gods, offerings, stone, bless, build
Verse-by-verse path
- Exodus 20:22
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with…” Naming Israel and Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
- Exodus 20:23
“Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Exodus 20:24
“An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.
- Exodus 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…” The line’s distinctive content terms include stone, altar, build. Its relationship to verses 24 and 26 shows what work it does in this passage.
- Exodus 20:26
“Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Exodus 20:22-26
King James Version22And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
24An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
25And 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.
26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Resources gathered for this chapter
The story map and deeper reflection are available as distinct resources alongside this teaching plan. Each opens on its own page.
A chapter-specific teaching brief
These anchors come from this chapter itself. They help a teacher use the Level 1 story map, the Level 2 analysis, and the Scripture text as one lesson.
Open with the chapter’s first image
Exodus 20:1: “And God spake all these words, saying,”
Slow down at the turning point
Exodus 20:10: “But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy…”
Keep this word trail visible
LORD, earth, Moses, people, altar, days
Observation and teaching prompt
- Identify the people addressed and the covenant setting.
- Distinguish rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and community responsibility.
- Read commands in their literary and covenant context before making a modern application.
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.
Learning objectives
- Place Exodus 20 within Exodus 20 and explain its role in Exodus.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Exodus 20:22–26 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus..
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how law and covenant shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Exodus 20 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: Exodus 20 (Exodus 20).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Exodus 20 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Exodus 20. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Exodus 20 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Exodus 20:22–26 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus.?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the Exodus 20 movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does law and covenant require here?
Show teacher guidance
Identify the covenant audience, the reason for the command, and its place in rescue, worship, holiness, justice, and communal life.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Exodus 20 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Exodus 20, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text. Its value becomes clearer when its choices are compared with Scripture.
- Before the media: the exact passage and its central movement.
- During the media: the words, people, events, and emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After the media: what it clarifies, what it leaves out, and what belongs back in the biblical text.