The 10 Commandments ​stand as one of the most well-known parts of the Bible. They appear in both copyright and Deuteronomy. Many people can recall a few of them by heart. But fewer ask the deeper question: why were they given? What was their true purpose at the time they were first spoken?

To understand the original purpose of the 10 commandments, we must step back into history. We must look at the people to whom they were first given. We must examine the story of Israel’s journey out of Egypt. We must consider how these commandments shaped not just laws, but identity, worship, and society.

The 10 commandments are more than just a list of moral rules. They are a declaration. They reflect a relationship. They were given to a people just freed from slavery. They were not free only to wander. They were called to become a holy nation. God, through Moses, gave them these words to guide, protect, and shape them.

The Historical Setting

Israel had just escaped Egypt. They had been in bondage for centuries. Through great signs and wonders, God led them out. He parted the Red Sea. He provided food in the wilderness. Then He brought them to Mount Sinai.

At this mountain, the people saw fire, smoke, and thunder. They were afraid, but they also knew something important was happening. Moses climbed the mountain. There, God gave him tablets of stone. These tablets contained ten divine words. The Bible calls them commandments, but in Hebrew, they are called the “Ten Words.”

So why these ten? Why now? Why here?

The commandments came at a turning point. The people were no longer slaves. But they were not yet a nation. They needed guidance. They needed structure. They needed a new way to live. God did not leave them to figure it out on their own.

Commandments as Covenant

The 10 commandments were not random rules. They were part of a covenant. A covenant is more than a contract. It is a sacred bond. It involves promises. It involves loyalty. It often includes blessings and warnings.

When God gave the 10 commandments, He was forming a covenant with Israel. He was saying, “I will be your God, and you will be My people.” These ten laws were the foundation of that agreement. They were like the pillars of a relationship.

They showed what God expected. They also showed what God valued. Honesty, respect, faithfulness, and justice—these values are reflected in each commandment. The first few focus on God. The rest focus on people. Together, they cover all of life.

A Moral Compass

Another original purpose of the 10 commandments was moral direction. The people had lived under Egyptian rule. They were familiar with pagan gods. They had seen cruelty and injustice. But now they had to learn a new way.

The commandments taught them right from wrong. They showed that God cares about behavior. He cares how people treat one another. He cares about truth, rest, family, and worship. The 10 commandments gave a clear picture of a good life.

They also served to prevent chaos. Without shared rules, any community breaks apart. But these laws gave a common standard. They were simple, memorable, and strong. They helped Israel stay united in the wilderness and beyond.

Identity as a Holy People

The 10 commandments also served to set Israel apart. Other nations had kings and idols. Israel had one God. Other nations built empires through violence. Israel was to be a light through holiness.

The commandments reminded the people of who they were. They reminded them of where they came from. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” This opening line was not just an introduction. It was a declaration of identity.

The people were not just obeying to avoid punishment. They were obeying as an act of loyalty. They were living according to their calling. The 10 commandments gave them purpose. They gave shape to their mission.

A Framework for Justice

The commandments also laid the groundwork for justice. Later laws would be built on them. Rules about property, sacrifice, and social care all connected back to these ten.

When God said, “Do not steal,” He was not only protecting possessions. He was declaring that every person has dignity. When He said, “Honor your father and mother,” He was saying that family matters. When He said, “Do not bear false witness,” He was protecting truth and fairness.

These commands were not abstract. They had real impact. They helped the community grow with fairness. They limited harm. They promoted peace. They reflected God’s own justice.

A Call to Love

Some might read the 10 commandments as dry or harsh. But at their core is love. Jesus would later summarize the law in two great commands: love God and love your neighbor. These ten rules flow from those two loves.

To love God is to honor His name, rest in His Sabbath, and keep Him first. To love people is to avoid harm, respect others, and live in peace. The 10 commandments were a call to love in action.

They were also personal. They were spoken directly. “You shall not…” These were not suggestions. They were not vague teachings. They were spoken with clarity. God addressed each person. He invited them to choose life, goodness, and relationship.

A Lasting Legacy

The 10 commandments were given long ago. But they still speak today. They are part of Scripture. They are repeated in both Testaments. They are honored in many cultures.

Even now, people look to them for guidance. They teach us how to live. They remind us of what matters. They call us to responsibility and reverence.

In the Christian tradition, the 10 commandments point to Christ. They show our need for grace. They show how high God’s standard is. They also show what a holy life looks like. Through the commandments, we learn God’s heart. We see His desire for justice, mercy, and truth.

Conclusion

So, what was the original purpose of the 10 commandments? They were much more than rules. They were the foundation of a covenant. They gave a moral compass. They shaped a people. They reflected God’s nature.

They were given at a critical moment in history. They guided a people from slavery to freedom. They helped build a just and holy society. They continue to teach us about love, order, and the presence of God.

As we reflect on them today, we are invited to ask ourselves: are we listening to that voice from the mountain? Are we shaping our lives by those same truths? The 10 commandments still call us to walk in faith, to live in love, and to remember the One who first gave them.