Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This commandment isn't just about the physical act; it safeguards the sanctity of marriage and family, recognizing adultery as a profound betrayal that damages not only individuals but the very fabric of society. It also extends to impure thoughts and desires, highlighting that sin begins in the heart long before any outward action.
This commandment, following the prohibition against murder, addresses the sanctity of marriage and family. It prohibits any violation of the marital bond, which was seen as foundational to social order and God's covenant with His people. The text is part of the Ten Commandments given directly by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, setting the moral framework for their lives as a nation and as individuals in covenant with Him.
When we hear "You shall not commit adultery," we often think only of the physical act. But God's command digs much deeper.
This commandment, the seventh in the Decalogue, is profoundly about protecting the sacred bond of marriage. It's not just about the outward action of infidelity but also about safeguarding the intimacy, trust, and covenantal relationship within marriage.
Beyond the Physical:
God's laws aren't arbitrary; they reflect His character, which includes perfect justice and impartiality. This commandment is no exception.
While adultery is a profound violation of the marriage covenant, destroying domestic peace and social order, God's law applies this command with striking equality.
No Partiality:
Understand the original words
na'aph · Hebrew Verb
Sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their spouse; it is a violation of the covenant of marriage established by God.
Jesus expands the seventh commandment, showing that adultery is not just a physical act but begins in the heart with lustful thoughts, echoing the internal and external nature of sin addressed in Exodus.
1 Corinthians 6:18Paul directly links sexual immorality, including adultery and fornication, to sinning against one's own body and against God, highlighting the deep spiritual offense involved.
Hebrews 13:4This passage underscores the sanctity of marriage, calling it 'honorable among all,' and directly states that God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous, reinforcing the seriousness of this commandment.
Leviticus 20:10This Old Testament law provides a specific penalty for adultery, demonstrating the severe consequences and the high value placed on marital fidelity within the covenant community.
Malachi 2:14The prophet Malachi speaks of betrayal within marriage, referring to wives as 'women of your covenant,' highlighting that adultery is a violation of sacred vows and covenant faithfulness, a theme central to the prohibition in Exodus.
ellicottExodus 20:14: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
(14) Thou shalt not commit adultery. —Next to the duty of respecting a man’s life is placed that of respecting his domestic peace and honour. Adultery is an invasion of the household, a destruction of the bond which unites the family, a dissolution of that contract which is the main basis of social order. It was forbidden by all civilised communities, and in uncivilised ones frequently punished with death. The Mosaic enactments on the subject are…
clarkeExodus 20:14: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Thou shalt not commit adultery - Adultery, as defined by our laws, is of two kinds; double, when between two married persons; single, when one of the parties is married, the other single. One principal part of the criminality of adultery consists in its injustice. 1. It robs a man of his right by taking from him the affection of his wife. 2. It does him a wrong by fathering on him and obliging him to maintain as his own a spurious offspring - a ch…
This commandment isn't just about the physical act; it safeguards the sanctity of marriage and family, recognizing adultery as a profound betrayal that damages not only individuals but the very fabric of society. It also extends to impure thoughts and desires, highlighting that sin begins in the heart long before any outward action.
This commandment, following the prohibition against murder, addresses the sanctity of marriage and family. It prohibits any violation of the marital bond, which was seen as foundational to social order and God's covenant with His people. The text is part of the Ten Commandments given directly by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, setting the moral framework for their lives as a nation and as individuals in covenant with Him.
This commandment, following the prohibition against murder, addresses the sanctity of marriage and family. It prohibits any violation of the marital bond, which was seen as foundational to social order and God's covenant with His people. The text is part of the Ten Commandments given directly by God to Israel at Mount Sinai, setting the moral framework for their lives as a nation and as individuals in covenant with Him.
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The seventh commandment forbids adultery, but its implications stretch further than just marital infidelity. It guards the sanctity of our bodies and minds.
This commandment serves as a powerful guardrail, not only against the specific act of adultery but also against all forms of sexual impurity. It calls for a holistic approach to purity.
Guarding All Fronts:
"“You shall not commit adultery." — This commandment isn't just about the physical act; it safeguards the sanctity of marriage and family, recognizing adultery as a profound betrayal that damages not only individuals but the very fabri…