1st Commandment: No Other Gods

The 10 Commandments BibleProject Translation

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

Reflection Questions

• How does the context of the 10 Commandments contribute to their meaning and significance?

• Why does God remind Israel of his relationship to them before giving the commandments?

• What are the implications of the multiple meanings of the Hebrew phrase ‘al-panai or ‘al-pene?

• How does the acknowledgment of other spiritual beings, entities, and powers in this commandment shape our understanding of it?

• How does allegiance to Yahweh alone keep Israel (and us) free?

Chapter 1: Recap and the Scene When God Gives the 10 Commandments

In Exodus 20:1-17, Yahweh speaks the 10 Commandments to Moses and Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai. From the mountaintop come thunder, lightning, trumpets, and smoke, terrifying the Israelites and demonstrating God’s power and glory (Exod. 19:18; 20:18-21).

Chapter 2: “Before My Face”

Yahweh begins by reminding the people that he is the God of their ancestors who freed them from slavery. This frames the 10 Commandments as both a covenant partnership and a freedom ethic (Exod. 6:7; 20:2-6).

In the first commandment, the phrase “before me” (‘al-panai or ‘al-pene in Hebrew) can mean “before my face” (Deut. 21:15-16), “against my face” (Nah. 2:1), “beside me” (2 Sam. 15:18-22), or even “instead of.” All four meanings fit the context of the first commandment, because Israel should not put other gods before Yahweh, against Yahweh, beside Yahweh, or instead of Yahweh.

Chapter 3: The Meaning of “No Other Elohim”

The commandment “to have no other gods” does not mean Yahweh is the only spiritual being (or elohim in Hebrew). Rather, it means that he is the supreme creator God who alone is worthy of worship, loyalty, and devotion (Deut. 10:17; Isa. 45:5). The Bible consistently refers to other spiritual beings, but it states that Yahweh created them. So the Israelites are called to give their allegiance to Yahweh Elohim alone.

Chapter 4: Allegiance That Leads to Life

To give ultimate allegiance to something other than the creator God is to live a lie. But to live in allegiance to the one who created all reality is to live aligned with the truth and leads to our ultimate flourishing and freedom (John 8:31-32; 14:6).