Exodus and wilderness · Old Testament
The Story of the Ten Commandments
At Mount Sinai God offers Israel a covenant, speaks the Ten Commandments, writes them on stone tablets, and gives them again after the people worship a golden calf.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites camp at Mount Sinai. God reminds them how he brought them out and offers to make them his own people in a covenant; then he speaks the Ten Commandments. Exodus 19:1–6Exodus 20:1–17
The covenant is confirmed with sacrifice, and Moses receives the commandments on tablets of stone. While he is on the mountain the people make a golden calf; Moses breaks the tablets, and God gives them again. Exodus 24:3–8Exodus 32:15–20Exodus 34:1–4
Principal passages
People in this story
Places named
- Mount Sinai Exodus 19:1–2Exodus 19:20
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
God’s offer at Sinai
God tells Moses to remind Israel that he carried them out of Egypt “on eagles’ wings” and that, if they keep his covenant, they will be his own possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The people agree.
Preparing to meet God
The people wash and prepare for three days. On the third day there is thunder, lightning, a thick cloud and a very loud trumpet; the mountain smokes and trembles as the LORD descends.
People: Moses
The Ten Commandments
God says: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Then he gives the commandments: no other gods, no idols, not misusing his name, keeping the Sabbath, honouring parents, and not murdering, committing adultery, stealing, giving false testimony or coveting.
The people stand far off
The people are afraid at the thunder and smoke and ask Moses to speak to them instead of God. Moses tells them not to fear: God has come to test them so that they will not sin.
People: Moses
The covenant confirmed
Moses tells the people the LORD’s words and writes them down. He offers sacrifices, reads the Book of the Covenant, and sprinkles the people with “the blood of the covenant”. The elders see God and eat in his presence.
Tablets of stone
Exodus 24:12–18 · Exodus 31:18
Moses goes up into the cloud on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. God gives him the two tablets of the covenant law, written by the finger of God.
People: Moses
The golden calf
The people grow impatient and Aaron makes a golden calf. Moses pleads for the people, then comes down, sees the calf and the dancing, and breaks the tablets at the foot of the mountain.
The tablets given again
God tells Moses to cut two new tablets. The LORD passes by and proclaims his name: merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and truth. He renews the covenant, and Moses writes the ten words on the tablets.
People: Moses
Related and parallel passages
Related stories
- The Crossing of the Red Sea Continues the story
From the sea Israel travels through the wilderness to Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:1–2
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- Deuteronomy 5:6–21 recalls “The Ten Commandments” — Moses repeats the commandments forty years later; the Sabbath command gives a different reason.
- Deuteronomy 10:1–5 recalls “The tablets given again” — Moses recalls the second tablets and the ark that held them.
- Jeremiah 31:31–34 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — God promises a new covenant with his law written on people’s hearts.
- Matthew 19:16–19 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — Jesus lists commandments when asked how to have eternal life.
- Romans 13:8–10 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — Paul sums up the commandments in “love your neighbour as yourself”.
- 2 Corinthians 3:3 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — Paul contrasts tablets of stone with tablets of human hearts.
Connected themes
- Worship
No other gods; the golden calf. Exodus 20:3–4Exodus 32:4
- Covenant
The Ten Commandments are the heart of the covenant God makes with Israel at Sinai. Exodus 19:5Exodus 34:27–28
- Mercy
God proclaims his mercy after the golden calf. Exodus 34:6–7
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does God say before giving any commandment (Exodus 20:2), and why might that matter?
- Which commandments concern God, and which concern other people?
- How does the reason for the Sabbath differ between Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:15?
- What does God reveal about himself in Exodus 34:6-7 after the golden calf?
Study guides
- Understanding the Ten Commandments
The story of Sinai, the golden calf and the second tablets. Exodus 20:1–17
Reading plans
- Following the Life of Moses
The Sinai story page. Exodus 20:1–17
Use offline
Save this story on your device, then download the Bible books it uses in your version: Exodus. The study keeps only its own notes and references; the Scripture comes from the books on your device, never a second copy.