Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
What does Exodus 20:3 mean?
The first four of the ten commandments, commonly called the FIRST table, tell our duty to God. It was fit that those should be put first, because man had a Maker to love, before he had a neighbour to love.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Exodus 20:1-3 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Exodus 20:3
" The meaning is that no god should be worshipped in addition to Yahweh. Compare Exodus 20:23 . The polytheism which was the besetting sin of the Israelites did not in later times exclude Yahweh, but associated Him with false deities. (Compare the original of 1 Samuel 2:25 .
Key words
- before me
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before me. (c) "contra me", Noldius, No. 1801. p. 731.
- before me
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before me. (c) "contra me", Noldius, No. 1801. p. 731.
Context in Exodus 20
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Exodus 20 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as plagues, Passover, and the crossing of the sea. Exodus tells the story of Israel’s rescue from Pharaoh, the revelation of the divine name, the covenant at Sinai, and the tabernacle where God chooses to dwell among his people. Read this chapter with the wider themes of redemption, Passover, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A guided collection of passages on God’s love, neighbor-love, steadfast covenant love, and the shape of love in Christian life.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.