1. Exodus Chapter 20 to Deuteronomy: mix of
history and legal teaching, mostly by P
(to end of Numbers) and D (Deuteronomy)
Ten Commandments a.k.a. Decalogue
(Ex. 20: 1-17)
1-4 concerning worship of God
5-10 concerning life in human community
(approx. division)

2. Decalogue
How many gods are there?
Power of idols?
Power of names?
Rationale clearly stated
Parent-child relationship as analogy
Only God has right to take life
Violation of unity of marriage
threat to purity of line
10. Includes actions to fulfill desire
7-10 are
crimes
against
persons

3. Rest of Pentateuch elaborating on rules
Laws in Ex. 20: 18-23: 33 = Covenant Code/
Book of Covenant
Apodictic ordinances (“thou shalt not”)
Casuistic ordinances (“if this, then this”)

4. Mesopotamian parallels:
Law code from Eshnunna (c BC):
“If an ox gores another ox and causes its
death, both owners shall divide among
themselves the price of the live ox and
also the equivalent of the dead ox”
Recalls Ex. 21: 35

5. Generally, in HB, penalties for crimes of
property are milder than Mesopotamian
penalties, while penalties for crimes
against persons are harsher:
Law code of Hammurabi, 195: “If a son strike
his father, his hands shall be hewn off.”
Ex. 21: 15: “Whoever strikes father or mother
shall be put to death.”

6. Treatment of slaves/resident aliens
(e.g. Lev. 19: 33-34; Deut. 15: 15)
Compassion for weak and defenseless
(e.g. Ex. 22: 21)
Prohibition of usury (e.g. Ex. 22: 25-27)
Injunctions to aid poor (e.g Lev. 25: 35-38)
Aid enemies in times of trouble (Ex. 23: 4-5)

7. Deuteronomy
Mix of rules and exhortations to faithfulness
to covenant, in form of Mosaic speeches
Synthesis of earlier rules, prob. from N. Israel,
reworked during reign of Hezekiah (c. 715-
687 BC); or from Judah, originating in
Jerusalem or among rural Judean Levites
Used by Josiah of Judah (r ) BC as
basis for reforms of 622 BC. Later
finalised in c. 550 BC

8. Deuteronomy
Demonstrates impact of creation at time of
threats to Judah and Babylonian exile,
esp. in stern admonitions to faithfulness
to covenant
Rules dealing with warfare (Deut. 20: 1-20)