From ChatGPT 12/14/2024.
Here is a comparative analysis of the Ten Commandments as presented in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 from the American Standard Version (ASV), along with scholarly commentary on the differences between the two passages.
Textual Comparison (ASV)
1. Introduction
- Exodus 20:2:
“I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” - Deuteronomy 5:6:
“I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
(Identical in both versions.)
2. Sabbath Commandment
- Exodus 20:8-11:
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” - Deuteronomy 5:12-15:
“Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.”
Key Differences:
- Exodus emphasizes creation: God’s rest after creating the heavens, earth, and sea.
- Deuteronomy emphasizes liberation: the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt as the basis for Sabbath observance.
3. Other Variations
- Exodus 20:17 (Covet Commandment):
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.” - Deuteronomy 5:21:
“Neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor’s wife; neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor’s house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbor’s.”
Key Differences:
- Deuteronomy reverses the order of “house” and “wife,” and adds “field” to the list of possessions.
- Linguistic variation: “covet” vs. “desire.”
Scholarly Commentary on Differences
- Historical Context
- Scholars like Richard Elliott Friedman note that Deuteronomy reflects a later stage in Israelite religion and society. It is part of the Deuteronomic reform, likely written or compiled during King Josiah’s reign (7th century BCE). This context aligns with its emphasis on covenant renewal and the ethical dimensions of the law, particularly in recalling the Exodus narrative.
- Theological Emphasis
- The Sabbath commandment reflects shifting theological priorities:
- Exodus is tied to God’s universal creative act, reflecting a cosmic theology.
- Deuteronomy focuses on social ethics and Israel’s historical experience, reinforcing empathy for servants and marginalized people because of their own history as slaves.
- The Sabbath commandment reflects shifting theological priorities:
- Stylistic and Editorial Variations
- Critical scholars argue that Deuteronomy’s changes are part of its sermonic style, aimed at applying the commandments to new contexts.
- The mention of “field” in Deuteronomy suggests a more settled, agrarian society compared to the wilderness setting of Exodus.
- Covenantal Perspective
- The differences reflect the covenantal renewal theme of Deuteronomy. Moses, addressing a new generation before entering the Promised Land, adapts the commandments to make them more relevant to settled life in Canaan.
- Oral Tradition and Redaction
- Scholars like William Propp suggest that the commandments evolved through oral tradition before being codified in the Torah. The variations could stem from the differing oral traditions of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel.
- Ethical Expansion
- The expanded rationale in Deuteronomy for the Sabbath highlights a broader concern for social justice and human dignity, aligning with the book’s general focus on care for the oppressed.
Conclusion
The differences between Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 in the Ten Commandments are not contradictions but reflect the texts’ distinct historical, theological, and social contexts. Exodus focuses on God’s universal authority as Creator, while Deuteronomy emphasizes covenantal ethics and historical deliverance, adapting the commandments for a settled, agrarian Israelite community.
