Additional Commandments in the Bible Beyond the Ten Commandments

Often, when we think of the teachings of the Bible, we immediately think of the Ten Commandments. However, the Bible is replete with additional commandments and instructions that serve as guidance for believers. In this article, we will explore some of these lesser-known commandments and their significance.

Understanding Commandments in the Bible

It is essential to understand that commandments are not exclusive to the written words of the Ten Commandments. They are also any instructions or actions that prevent the rejection of the Holy Spirit. Moses laid down the laws, yet the Holy Spirit continued to augment and deepen our understanding, challenging the limitations of human comprehension at the time. This revelation becomes more evident as the Last Testament unfolds, offering preliminary insights into these additional commandments.

Additional Commandments of Moses

Moses, in his efforts to communicate the will of God, refined the commandments into what is often considered the 613 commandments. This number is derived from a combination of specific laws, rules, and statutes found throughout the Hebrew Bible. Here are some of these commandments:

1. Exodus 20:3

You shall have no other gods beside Me.

2. Exodus 20:4

You shall not make for yourself a sculptured image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.

3. Exodus 20:5

You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I the LORD your God am an impassioned God visiting the guilt of the parents upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of those who reject Me.

4. Exodus 20:7

You shall not swear falsely by the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not clear one who swears falsely by His name.

5. Exodus 20:8-10

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God: you shall not do any work -- you, your son or daughter, your male or female slave, or your ox or the stranger who is within your settlements.

6. Exodus 20:12

Honor your father and your mother.

7. Exodus 20:13

You shall not murder.

8. Exodus 20:13

You shall not commit adultery.

9. Exodus 20:13

You shall not steal.

10. Exodus 20:13-14

You shall not give false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house: you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female slave, his ox, his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

New Commandments from Jesus

Jesus, the Son of God, added to the commandments with His own interpretation, reinforcing their importance and relevance in the contemporary context. Here are two new commandments:

1. Matthew 5:17-18

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

2. Matthew 8:22

‘We have left them to preach in the name of the Lord Jesus.’

3. Matthew 8:23

‘He replied, “Get away from me, for I am a man of prayer.”’ (Later in the text, Jesus goes on to say, “I never knew you.”)

Conclusion

The Bible is not just a collection of ancient scriptures but a living guide that continues to offer moral and ethical instruction to its readers. Whether through the original 613 commandments or the additional ones given by Jesus, these commandments serve as a framework for our lives and our relationship with God. They remind us of our responsibilities, our limitations, and the promises that accompany our faith.

Keywords

Bible Commandments, Additional Commandments, 613 Commandments