Bible Dictionary
Commandments, the Ten
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are God’s ten covenant words given to Israel at Sinai and written on tablets of stone. They summarize fundamental duties toward God and neighbor.
Biblical Usage
The commandments are called “the covenant,” “the tables of the covenant,” and “the testimony.” They were first given in written form to Israel after the exodus from Egypt. Their division into ten commandments has not been numbered identically by all Jewish and Christian traditions.
Scripture References