The Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai
Exodus 19–24; Deuteronomy 5; Galatians 3:17–24; Hebrews 12:18–24
Three months after leaving Egypt, Israel camped at Sinai, where God spoke the Ten Commandments from the mountain and made a covenant with the nation.
“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:2–3 (World English Bible)
God reminded Israel that he had carried them “on eagles’ wings” and offered to make them his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. After three days of preparation, the mountain shook with thunder, lightning, fire, and smoke, and God himself spoke the Ten Commandments to the whole people.
The commandments begin with grace: “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out.” The people promised to obey, and Moses sealed the covenant with sacrificial blood. Paul says the Law, given 430 years after the promise to Abraham, didn't cancel that promise; it served to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:17, 24).
Places
Mount SinaiMount HorebWilderness of SinaiRephidim
Dating notes
Israel arrived on the third new moon after leaving Egypt (Exodus 19:1), which Ussher dates to 22 June 1491 BC (Julian). The location of Mount Sinai is debated; see the map.