“And God spake all these words, saying,”
When Moses and Aaron were gone up, or had passed the bounds of the people, God spake thus out of the mount Horeb, that all the people heard.
“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. bondage: Heb. servants”
Or, servants. Cross references: : Deut. 5:6 ; Ps. 81:10
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
To whose eyes all things are open.
“Thou 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;”
And will be revenged on the contemners of mine honor. By this outward gesture, all kinds of service and worship to idols is forbidden.
“And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
So ready is he rather to show mercy than to punish.
“Thou 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.”
Lev. 19:12 ; Deut. 5:11 ; Matt. 5:33 Either by swearing falsely or rashly by his Name, or by contemning it.
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
Which is by meditating the spiritual rest, by hearing God’s word, and resting from worldly travails.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
By the parents also is meant all that have authority over us. Deut. 5:16 ; Matt. 15:4 ; Eph. 6:2
“Thou shalt not kill.”
But love and preserve thy brother’s life. Matt. 5:21
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
But be pure in heart, word and deed.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
But further his good name, and speak truth.
“Thou 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.”
Thou mayst not so much as wish his hinderance in anything. Rom. 7:7
“And 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.”
Or, heard. Hebrew, fire brands.
“And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
Deut. 5:24 ; Deut. 18:16 ; Heb. 12:18
“And 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.”
Whether you will obey his precepts as you promised, Exod. 19:8 .
“An 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.”
Lev. 3:1 Exod. 27:8 ; Exod. 38:7
“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 it, thou hast polluted it. build: Heb. build them with hewing”
Hebrew, it, that is, the stone . Deut. 27:5 ; Josh. 8:31
“Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.”
Which might be by his stooping or flying abroad of his clothes.