Apply Ten Commandments
The words that are so familiar in what is called "The Ten Commandments" deserve deeper consideration. While the Ten Commandments have a definite core meaning, a discussion such as follows helps you apply them with some of their implications.
Dabar The Creator's list of things to remember is introduced in Exodus 20:1 "And God spake all these words, saying". He spake words, and in the Hebrew that is dâbâr [1]. This is translated into English in an astounding variety of ways, but some of them - in descending order of occurrence in the Bible - are these: word (including words, over 825 times; thing/things, more than 130 instances; acts, 52; matter, 45; command or commandment or their plurals; 16 instances. A total of about 100 ideas are translated from this Hebrew word 'dabar' into the New American Standard version of the Bible (an astounding variety, and many of them are very closely related, while others have nearly opposite meanings to most American readers). It is therefore technically inaccurate to use the phrase "Ten commandments", when in fact it is 'these words", which are later described as "ten words" [2].
That first word is Exodus 20:2 "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This word has prominence. It declares the position of the Father in heaven is supreme. All of His laws are built upon this foundation. An individual's agreement with this word becomes his assent that he fears the Almighty, by which means he may begin his journey of getting wisdom. [3]
We find another copy of the Ten Commandments in Deut. 5:6 - 21. Again, it is comprised of words (phrases), of which are commands. It is essentially the same, except one of the words spoken together with the sabbath command is different, since it describes the exodus from Egypt, rather than the creation account described in Exodus 20. This difference is discussed below.
Exodus 20:3 is the first command, and it is the second of the 17 words. Exodus 15:11 further explains this command, as it says: "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Next, consider the words Jesus quoted from Deut. 6:5 "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Your love toward God is your choice. His law of liberty begins its reign within you when you assent to this first commandment. Many of the children of Israel complained against God after He had brought them through the Red Sea. These had not chosen to love Him. His first word is a declaration of His grace, but His second word is a commandment to begin in faith to walk with Him. You can be shown grace while remaining unrepentant, but you should wonder when that grace will be halted. Some of the complaining ones experienced the end of grace when the earth swallowed them [4]
This is a work in progress. To be continued.
- ↑ (Strongs #H1697)Original Word: דָּבָר; Part of Speech: Noun Masculine; Phonetic Spelling: (daw-baw')
- ↑ The list in Exodus 20:2 - 17 definitely includes command phrases, but within that range of verses, seven phrases are not commands. When they are not commands, the phrases include reasons and causes. These are: verses 2, 5b, 6, 7b, 10, 11, and 12b. God spake words, and in reality, grammarians may find more than 17 words declared within verses 2 through 17. All but the first of these words are connected to one of the command phrases. Exodus 34:28 declares existence of a list of ten words (translated: "Ten Commandments" in most Bibles), and Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:4 also say there are ten (not 17). Counting, each particular command phrase, together with the phrases which are reasons or causes, the list of words might actually be ---- words. However, they should be spoken of as the Ten Words or the Ten Commandments, for the sake of clarity with our audience.
- ↑ Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psa 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. - ↑ Exo 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
It is derived from H1696; a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause: - act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), + because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune (-ication), + concern [-ing], + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, [evil favoured-] ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, [no] thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some [uncleanness], somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what [-soever], + wherewith, which, word, work. The Hebrew letters are Daleth, Beth, Resh, and those letters convey the idea of the pathway of charity within the boundaries of the highest (the Sovereign). While it is true this idea can describe a commandment, it may also apply to a cause, a case or a chronicled report.