And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Read it in contextThe Ten Commandments and Initial Statutes
Start reading at Exodus 20:1 (Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 20:26).
The passage begins with the giving of the Ten Commandments and continues with the people's reaction and initial instructions for worship.
20:1And God spake all these words, saying,
20:2I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
20:3Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
20:4Thou 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:
20:5Thou 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;
20:6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
20:7Thou 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.
20:8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
20:9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
20:10But 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 maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
20:11For 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.
20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
20:13Thou shalt not kill.
20:14Thou shalt not commit adultery.
20:15Thou shalt not steal.
20:16Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
20:17Thou 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.
20:18And 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.
20:19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
20:20And 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.
20:21And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
20:22And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
20:23Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
20:24An 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.
20:25And 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.
20:26Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. Exodus explicitly records him writing covenant words and other material; that supports his central role without identifying every stage in the book's final compilation. Biblical references: Exodus 17:14; Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Exodus 19:1–20:26): Israel is assembled at Sinai. Moses mediates the LORD's words to the people, who hear the commandments and respond to the manifestation at the mountain. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Israelites delivered from Egypt, and succeeding generations of Israel who were to remember the deliverance and keep the covenant. Biblical references: Exodus 12:24; Exodus 12:26; Exodus 24:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main theme is God's character of abundant mercy shown to those who love Him and keep His commandments, presented within the context of the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. It contrasts God's mercy with His jealousy and judgment upon those who hate Him and practice idolatry.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His covenant character as a merciful God who extends His steadfast love and faithfulness to those who respond to Him in love and obedience. He also reveals His expectation that His people will love Him and keep His commandments.
What is the literary style? The literary style is divine speech, specifically law (Decalogue) and covenant stipulations, embedded within a narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book of Exodus was written between approximately 1440 and 1400 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The events described, including the giving of the Ten Commandments, took place between approximately 1500 and 1440 B.C. book background
Where
Where did it happen? The events described, specifically the giving of the Ten Commandments, happened at Mount Sinai. stated in the text
Where was the author located? Moses was located in the Wilderness of Sinai when he wrote the book of Exodus. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Ten Commandments and Initial Statutes (Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 20:26).
Start reading at Exodus 20:1. The passage begins with the giving of the Ten Commandments and continues with the people's reaction and initial instructions for worship.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse is part of the Ten Commandments, specifically elaborating on the character of God in relation to the prohibition against idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). It highlights God's long-suffering mercy as a motivation for His people to love Him and obey His covenant commands, contrasting it with the judgment for those who hate Him. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage reveals God's perfect standard of love and obedience, which humanity, due to sin, cannot perfectly meet. It points to Christ as the one who perfectly loved God and kept His commandments (John 14:15, 21). Through Christ, God's mercy is fully extended to believers, enabling them to love God and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, walk in obedience, fulfilling the spirit of the law. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Today, this verse calls believers to respond to God's immense mercy with genuine love and obedience to His commands. It reminds us that God's character is consistent, and He delights in showing mercy to those who seek Him and strive to live according to His will, not out of legalism, but out of a heart of love. interpretation
Cited: Exodus 20:5-6, Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 7:9, John 14:15, John 14:21, 1 John 5:3
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Exodus 20
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. God addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Exodus
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Exodus follows the children of Israel from oppression in Egypt to covenant and tabernacle worship. The text records commands to Moses and Israel; instructions for that covenant must not be silently turned into identical commands to every later reader.
Connection to the wholeThe plagues, Passover, departure, and crossing of the sea display the deliverance celebrated in the song that closes this movement.
Connection to the wholeGod addresses the delivered people, gives covenant commands, and the covenant is confirmed before instructions for the sanctuary begin.
Connection to the wholeIsrael's idolatry interrupts the sanctuary instructions. Moses intercedes, and renewed covenant words prepare the people to carry out the work.
Connection to the wholeThe people supply and construct the sanctuary according to the commands, and the book ends with the glory of the LORD filling it.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.