Study the Torah with Academic Scholarship

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use

Ten Commandments

Adapting the Decalogue to Your Religion

Jewish Greek philosophy, the New Testament, Christian theology, Samaritan law, Rabbinic Judaism, the Church Fathers—all shaped and interpreted the Decalogue to meet the needs of their community.

Prof.

J. Cornelis de Vos

,

,

The Decalogue: Ten Commandments or Ten Statements?

The Hebrew term for the Decalogue is עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים aseret hadevarim. The word דבר davar is one of the most common nouns in biblical Hebrew, and can mean “word,” “thing,” “statement,” and even “commandment.” What does it mean in this context?

Prof.

Marc Zvi Brettler

,

Prof.

Jed Wyrick

,

The Origins of the Decalogue

The Decalogue was not originally part of the Sinai theophany but was added later, both in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Its origins lie in wisdom literature.

Dr.

Cynthia Edenburg

,

,

Ten Commandments in Every Classroom: The Texas Bill Version

Texas Bill 1515 requires classrooms to display not just the Ten Commandments, but a specific version created by the Fraternal Order of Eagles found on monoliths across the U.S. Is this a legitimate version of the Decalogue?

Prof.

Marc Zvi Brettler