Exodus 20:14
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not commit adultery
You
The commandment begins with a direct address, emphasizing personal responsibility. In Hebrew, the word used is "אַתָּה" (atah), which is singular, indicating that this command is directed to each individual personally. This personal address underscores the importance of personal accountability before God. It reminds believers that God's laws are not just for the community as a whole but for each person to uphold in their own life.

shall not
This phrase is a clear prohibition. The Hebrew "לֹא" (lo) is a strong negative, indicating an absolute prohibition. It is not a suggestion or a guideline but a command. This reflects the seriousness with which God views the sanctity of marriage and the faithfulness required within it. The use of "shall not" conveys the timeless and unchanging nature of God's moral law.

commit
The verb "commit" in Hebrew is "תִּנְאָף" (tin'af), which is in the imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing or repeated action. This highlights that the commandment is not just against a one-time act but against any ongoing behavior or lifestyle that involves adultery. It calls for a continuous commitment to purity and faithfulness in marriage.

adultery
The term "adultery" in Hebrew is "נָאַף" (na'af), which specifically refers to a married person engaging in sexual relations with someone other than their spouse. In the ancient Near Eastern context, adultery was seen as a serious offense, not only against one's spouse but also against the social order and, most importantly, against God. Adultery undermines the covenant relationship that marriage represents, which is a reflection of God's covenant with His people. In the broader biblical narrative, adultery is often used metaphorically to describe unfaithfulness to God, highlighting the spiritual implications of this commandment. The prohibition against adultery is a call to uphold the sanctity of marriage, reflecting God's design for human relationships and His desire for faithfulness and integrity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Mount Sinai
The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against adultery.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God.
Teaching Points
Understanding Adultery
In the original Hebrew, the word for adultery is "na'aph," which specifically refers to a married person engaging in sexual relations outside of their marriage. This commandment underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant.

Heart and Mind
Jesus' teaching in the New Testament reveals that adultery is not just a physical act but also a matter of the heart and mind. Guarding our thoughts is crucial in maintaining purity.

Sanctity of Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God. Upholding this commandment protects the integrity and trust within the marital relationship.

Holiness and Purity
As believers, we are called to live lives of holiness and purity. This commandment encourages us to reflect God's character in our relationships.

Community Impact
Adultery not only affects the individuals involved but also has broader implications for families and communities. Upholding this commandment fosters a healthy and stable society.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the original Hebrew word for adultery ("na'aph") deepen our comprehension of this commandment?

2. In what ways can we guard our hearts and minds against lustful thoughts, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:27-28?

3. How does the sanctity of marriage reflect God's covenant relationship with His people?

4. What practical steps can we take to uphold purity and holiness in our personal lives and relationships?

5. How does the commandment against adultery contribute to the well-being of families and communities, and what role can we play in promoting this within our own circles?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 5:27-28
Jesus expands on the commandment against adultery, teaching that even lustful thoughts are equivalent to committing adultery in the heart.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Paul emphasizes the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality, highlighting that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:4
This verse underscores the sanctity of marriage and warns that God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
A Correspondence Between the Two TablesG.A. Goodhart Exodus 20:14
MarriageF. S. Schenck.Exodus 20:14
Purity Outward and InwardExodus 20:14
The Law of ChastityW. J. Woods, B. A.Exodus 20:14
The Power of PassionExodus 20:14
The Scope of the Seventh CommandmentF. S. Schenck.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentL. O. Thompson.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentJ. O. Dykes, D. D.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentExodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentW. B. Noel, M. A.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentG. D. Boardman.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentT. Boston, D. D.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentBp. E. Hopkins.Exodus 20:14
The Seventh CommandmentWatson, ThomasExodus 20:14
Value of PurityExodus 20:14
The Moral Law - General SurveyJ. Orr Exodus 20:1-18
Our Threefold Duty to Our NeighbourJ. Urquhart Exodus 20:13-17
The Individual Israelite Considered in His Duties Towards His NeighbourD. Young Exodus 20:13-17
People
Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Adultery, Commit, Married, Relation
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 20:14

     5702   husband
     5729   one flesh
     5735   sexuality
     5744   wife
     6237   sexual sin, nature of
     6242   adultery
     8204   chastity
     8252   faithfulness, relationships
     8299   love, in relationships

Exodus 20:1-17

     1443   revelation, OT
     5036   mind, of God
     8412   decisions

Exodus 20:2-17

     5377   law, Ten Commandments
     6677   justification, necessity

Exodus 20:12-16

     2333   Christ, attitude to OT

Exodus 20:12-17

     8242   ethics, personal
     8841   unfaithfulness, to people

Exodus 20:13-14

     1660   Sermon on the Mount
     5379   law, Christ's attitude

Exodus 20:13-16

     5276   crime

Library
The Decalogue: I --Man and God
'And God spake all these words, saying, 2. I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5. 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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Decalogue: ii. --Man and Man
'Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13. Thou shalt not kill. 14. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15. Thou shalt not steal. 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. 18. And all the people saw the thunderings and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

May the Third Other Gods!
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." --EXODUS xx. 1-11. If we kept that commandment all the other commandments would be obeyed. If we secure this queen-bee we are given the swarm. To put nothing "before" God! What is left in the circle of obedience? God first, always and everywhere. Nothing allowed to usurp His throne for an hour! I was once allowed to sit on an earthly throne for a few seconds, but even that is not to be allowed with the throne of God. Nothing is to share His sovereignty,
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

The Mediator --The Interpreter
To us, that day at Horeb is a type of the action of the law in our nature: thus doth the law deal with our consciences and hearts. If you have ever felt the law spoken home to you by the Spirit of God, you have heard great thunderings within. You have been forced to cry with Habakkuk, "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones." And God intended it to be so, that you might look to the flames which Moses saw, and abandon forever all hope of acceptance
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

Weighed in the Balances
In the fifth chapter of Daniel we read the history of King Belshazzar. One chapter tells us all we know about him. One short sight of his career is all we have. He bursts in upon the scene and then disappears. THE EASTERN FEAST. We are told that he made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before them. In those days a feast would sometimes last for six months in Eastern countries. How long this feast had been going on we are not told, but in the midst of it, he "commanded to bring
Dwight L. Moody—Weighed and Wanting

Traditionalism, Its Origin, Character, and Literature - the Mishnah and Talmud - the Gospel of Christ - the Dawn of a New Day.
In trying to picture to ourselves New Testament scenes, the figure most prominent, next to those of the chief actors, is that of the Scribe ({hebrew}, grammates, literatus). He seems ubiquitous; we meet him in Jerusalem, in Judæa, and even in Galilee. [437] Indeed, he is indispensable, not only in Babylon, which may have been the birthplace of his order, but among the dispersion' also. [438] Everywhere he appears as the mouthpiece and representative of the people; he pushes to the front, the
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Covenanting Sanctioned by the Divine Example.
God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Beam on us Brightly, Blessed Day,
"The Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it." -- Exodus 20:11. Beam on us brightly, blessed day, Dawn softly for our Savior's sake; And waft thy sweetness o'er our way, To draw us heavenward when we wake. O holy life that shall not end, Light that will never cease to be -- May every Sabbath-day we spend, Add to our happiness in Thee.
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness
St. Augustine—On Lying

On the Other Hand, those who Say that we must Never Lie...
6. On the other hand, those who say that we must never lie, plead much more strongly, using first the Divine authority, because in the very Decalogue it is written "Thou shall not bear false witness;" [2306] under which general term it comprises all lying: for whoso utters any thing bears witness to his own mind. But lest any should contend that not every lie is to be called false witness, what will he say to that which is written, "The mouth that lieth slayeth the soul:" [2307] and lest any should
St. Augustine—On Lying

What Then, if a Homicide Seek Refuge with a Christian...
22. What then, if a homicide seek refuge with a Christian, or if he see where the homicide have taken refuge, and be questioned of this matter by him who seeks, in order to bring to punishment a man, the slayer of man? Is he to tell a lie? For how does he not hide a sin by lying, when he for whom he lies has been guilty of a heinous sin? Or is it because he is not questioned concerning his sin, but about the place where he is concealed? So then to lie in order to hide a person's sin is evil; but
St. Augustine—On Lying

Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
12. Thus has the question been on both sides considered and treated; and still it is not easy to pass sentence: but we must further lend diligent hearing to those who say, that no deed is so evil, but that in avoidance of a worse it ought to be done; moreover that the deeds of men include not only what they do, but whatever they consent to be done unto them. Wherefore, if cause have arisen that a Christian man should choose to burn incense to idols, that he might not consent to bodily defilement
St. Augustine—On Lying

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Third Commandment
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.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it. Exod 20: 8-11. This
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill.' Exod 20: 13. In this commandment is a sin forbidden, which is murder, Thou shalt not kill,' and a duty implied, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sin forbidden is murder: Thou shalt not kill.' Here two things are to be understood, the not injuring another, nor ourselves. I. The not injuring another. [1] We must not injure another in his name. A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his name. We injure others in
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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