Exodus 20:1 kjv

And God spake all these words, saying,

Exodus 20:1 nkjv

And God spoke all these words, saying:

Exodus 20:1 niv

And God spoke all these words:

Exodus 20:1 esv

And God spoke all these words, saying,

Exodus 20:1 nlt

Then God gave the people all these instructions :

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 1 Meaning

Exodus 20:1 serves as a profound preamble to the Ten Commandments, declaring that God Himself, Elohim, audibly and directly communicated the words that follow. This verse establishes the divine origin, authority, and foundational importance of the Decalogue. It signifies that the laws Israel was about to receive were not human ordinances or pronouncements through an intermediary, but were God’s own direct and complete spoken revelation to His people.

Exodus 20 1 Context

Exodus 20:1 follows immediately after the momentous events at Mount Sinai described in Exodus 19. God had brought Israel to the desert of Sinai, declared His special purpose for them as a treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation (Exod 19:4-6), and set strict boundaries around the mountain, warning against any unauthorized approach (Exod 19:12-13). There had been thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the very loud sound of a trumpet, intensifying God's descent upon the mountain in fire (Exod 19:16-19). Moses had ascended and descended, mediating God's instructions. Crucially, in Exodus 19:9, God states His intent to speak to Moses so that the people might hear, thus preparing the nation to directly receive God's voice, though terrifyingly (Exod 19:16, 19). Therefore, Exodus 20:1 is not an isolated statement but the grand culmination and fulfillment of the divine preparations, a direct transition from the terrifying divine presence to the majestic pronouncement of God's fundamental covenant demands for His newly liberated people.

Historically and culturally, this declaration contrasts sharply with the polytheistic and often arbitrary deities of Egypt and Canaan. Unlike gods who might reveal themselves through omens, dreams, or pronouncements by priests, the God of Israel, Yahweh, is presented as speaking directly and audibly to an entire nation. His speech is rational, moral, and designed for human flourishing, rather than manipulative or driven by caprice. This emphasizes the uniqueness of the Israelite God and His covenant relationship, where moral demands stem from His holy character, not human invention or priestly intermediaries for these core commandments.

Exodus 20 1 Word analysis

• And (וַיְדַבֵּר - vaydabber): This is part of the Hebrew verbal form that signifies a consequential action. The 'waw-consecutive' (vav at the beginning) here links this verse directly to the preceding narrative, establishing that this divine speech is the climax of God's preparations at Sinai. It denotes a direct and intentional action, setting the stage for an extraordinary communication.
• God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): The Hebrew plural form Elohim (plural in form, singular in meaning when referring to the God of Israel) here emphasizes the full divine majesty, power, and authority of the speaker. It signifies the supreme and true Creator of the universe, setting these words apart as originating from the ultimate sovereign. The direct mention of Elohim as the speaker underlines the universal authority and sacredness of the pronouncements, distinct from Moses speaking or mediating.
• spoke (דָּבַר - dabar): The verb dabar refers to a deliberate, formal, and articulate communication, rather than casual talk. It implies an orderly arrangement of thoughts into distinct words, carrying weight, command, and authority. It is the verb used for God's powerful, creative pronouncements (e.g., in Gen 1) and often for His divine commands and laws throughout Scripture. Here, it underscores that the words given were specific, intentional, and authoritative commands, not merely suggestions.
• all these words (אֵת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה - et kol-ha-d'varim ha'elleh):
  • all (כָּל - kol): Emphasizes the completeness, totality, and distinct nature of the message that follows. It indicates that the entire Decalogue—ten complete utterances—are unified and delivered as a whole, directly by God.
  • these (הָאֵלֶּה - ha'elleh): A demonstrative pronoun, directly pointing to the specific "words" that immediately follow this prologue in Exodus 20:2-17. It links the opening declaration seamlessly to the body of the Ten Commandments.
  • words (הַדְּבָרִים - ha-d'varim): This is the plural of dabar (word/thing/matter). In this context, it signifies utterances or pronouncements. Notably, this is where the term "Decalogue" (Greek for "ten words") derives its name. These d'varim are not merely human advice but divine decrees, constituting a foundational ethical and theological framework. Their significance transcends simple language; they are potent, performative commands.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor): An infinitive construct often used to introduce direct speech. It serves as a formal usher for the precise words God spoke, adding emphasis to their direct quotation and immutable nature.

Exodus 20 1 Bonus section

• The direct divine utterance of the Decalogue distinguishes it sharply from other laws in the Torah (which are usually delivered through Moses), imparting a unique solemnity and foundational authority to these "Ten Words."
• The terrifying grandeur described in Exodus 19 — thunder, lightning, cloud, fire, and trumpet blasts — serves as the awe-inspiring backdrop to this direct divine communication. It emphasizes the absolute holiness and immense power of the speaking God, intended to instill reverence and obedience.
• The very act of God "speaking" signifies a relationship, a divine desire for humanity to know and understand His will, forming the basis for covenant life rather than arbitrary decree.
• The precise phrase "all these words" refers to the entire Decalogue (Exod 20:2-17), a compact yet comprehensive moral framework for the entire life of God's covenant people.
• The profound impact of God's audible voice at Sinai was so overwhelming that the people later requested that Moses speak to them on God's behalf (Exod 20:19; Deut 5:23-27), illustrating the terrifying holiness and authority of God's direct voice. This, ironically, validated Moses' unique mediatorial role for the rest of the law, but for the Decalogue itself, the direct voice of God was unmistakable.

Exodus 20 1 Commentary

Exodus 20:1 functions as the authoritative declaration that prefaces the giving of the Decalogue. Its power lies in establishing beyond doubt that the ensuing commandments are the very pronouncements of Elohim—the supreme, sovereign God. Unlike all other laws revealed through Moses, these "words" were uniquely spoken by God Himself, audibly heard by the assembled Israelite nation. This divine directness underscores their preeminent authority and universal scope, setting them apart as the bedrock of Israel's covenant with God and timeless moral principles for humanity. The concise statement emphasizes the divine initiative, revealing God not as an impersonal force, but as a personal Being who communicates His will explicitly. The phrase "all these words" signals that the entirety of the Ten Commandments carries equal divine weight and collective unity, designed as a comprehensive foundation for living in proper relationship with God and with fellow humans. It highlights that God's grace (delivering Israel from Egypt) precedes His law, and His law defines the life expected within His gracious covenant.