Together, the book of Exodus and the book of Deuteronomy are the Old
Testament books that set forth the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments. In both
of the listed excerpts, the Decalogue is given early on in almost exactly
the same words. After the initial similarities, the content and message
of each book deviates into other subjects. The book of Exodus lists the
statutes and ordinances by which the Israeli people are to live and abide
under. Deuteronomy concerns itself primarily with the proper worship and
respect for God, with an emphasis on the rewards for living by God's laws
and the punishments to be expected if the people turn against the Lord's
The Decalogue is first introduced in Exodus 20 and in Deuteronomy 5.
They consist of ten cardinal rules to be obeyed in order to live
righteously in the eyes of God and in each book they are transcribed almost
word for word. They include the warnings and prohibitions of various
types: that the Jews will have "no other god before Me" (Ex 20:3, Deut
5:7), a prohibition against idol worship (Ex 20:4-6, Deut 5:8-10),
"wrongful use of the Lord's name" (Ex 20:7, Deut 5:11), to keep the Sabbath
day (Ex 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15), and to honor your parents (Ex 20:12, Deut
5:16). There are also prohibitions against murder (Ex 20:13, Deut 5:17),
adultery (Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18), stealing (Ex 20:15, Deut 5:19), bearing
false witness (Ex 20:16, Deut 5:20), and coveting a neighbor's wife and/or
possessions (Ex 20:17, Deut 5:21). Both books go on to describe a scene
where the people had gathered at the bottom of the mountain, hearing God's
word, but feared to draw any nearer lest they die. The people implore
Moses to go and listen to God's words, and then come back and tell them
what he said. When Moses does return, it is with the commandments for
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