Intro: Exodus 20 Summary – God’s Law for His People
This Exodus 20 summary records one of the most important events in the Bible: God speaking directly to Israel from Mount Sinai. Here, the Lord gives His covenant law beginning with the Ten Commandments and ending with additional altar and worship instructions. The Exodus 20 summary shows the foundation of Israel’s relationship with God — built on obedience, reverence, and holiness.
(For the full journey through Exodus, see the Book of Exodus Chapter-by-Chapter Summary.)
1. God Speaks from Mount Sinai
God begins by reminding Israel of who He is: “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:2, KJV)
Then follow the Ten Commandments:
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or likeness of anything in heaven, on earth, or in the waters below; thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them.
- 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.
- Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, but the seventh is the sabbath of the Lord thy God.
- Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, wife, servants, animals, or anything that is thy neighbour’s.
2. The People Fear and Moses Mediates
When the people see the thunder, lightning, smoke, and hear the trumpet, they stand afar off in fear. They plead with Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” (Exodus 20:19)
Moses tells them not to fear, explaining that God has come to test them so that His reverence may remain before them, keeping them from sin. Moses then approaches the thick darkness where God is.
3. Additional Commands After the Ten (Exodus 20:22–26)
After giving the Ten Commandments, God continues speaking to Moses with three additional instructions concerning worship and holiness:
- No gods of silver or gold. The Lord commands that Israel shall not make gods of silver or gods of gold to worship beside Him (Exodus 20:23).
- Build an altar of earth or unhewn stone. God instructs that any altar made to Him should be of earth or of stones that have not been shaped by tools — for if a tool touches the stone, it is polluted (Exodus 20:25).
- No steps leading to the altar. God forbids steps up to the altar to prevent exposure or immodesty (Exodus 20:26).
These final verses remind Israel that the God who gave the law also defines how He is to be worshiped — with purity, humility, and reverence.
4. Exodus 20 Summary
This Exodus 20 summary presents the complete foundation of God’s covenant law. It begins with moral commands for daily life and ends with practical instructions for holy worship. Together, these fourteen divine directives reveal how Israel was to live in righteousness before the Lord.
This chapter marks the first time in Scripture that God’s voice is heard by an entire nation. The Ten Commandments and the additional altar laws show that God’s holiness covers both conduct and worship — guiding His people in every part of life.
For more on this covenant section, visit God’s Covenant with Israel, or read the full Exodus 20 (KJV).