Proclamation of the Law - Condensed Biblical Encyclopedia

Proclamation of the Law Date. It was (2083) two thousand and eighty-three years from the creation of Adam to the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan ( Genesis 5:3-32 ; Genesis 7:6 ; Genesis 11:10-32 ; Genesis 12:1-4 ; Acts 7:1-4 ), and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these events to the exodus ( Exodus 12:40 Exodus 12:41 ; Galatians 3:17 ). It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to to proclamation of the law ( Exodus 12:37 ; Exodus 16:1 Exodus 16:2 ; Exodus 19:1-25 ; Exodus 20:1-17 ; Numbers 33:3 ).

The Ten Commandments. These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mount Sinai ( Exodus 19:1-25 ; Exodus 20:1-17 ; Hebrews 12:18-20 ). They, required strict submission to the one true and living God; prohibited idolatry in all forms; prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain; required the keeping of the Sabbath; required the people to honor their parents; prohibited murder; prohibited adultery; prohibited stealing; prohibited the bearing of false witness; and prohibited covetousness ( Exodus 20:1-17 ).

These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone in order that he might teach them to the people ( Exodus 24:12 ), and preserve them ( Exodus 31:18 ). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safekeeping ( Deuteronomy 10:1-5 ; Hebrews 9:4 ). These commandments were called "the words of the covenant," because they constituted the basis of the covenant between the Lord and his people ( Exodus 20:1-17 ; Exodus 34:28 ); "the testimony," because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them ( Exodus 20:1-17 ; Exodus 25:16 ); "the tables of the covenant," because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God ( Exodus 31:18 ; Exodus 32:15 Exodus 32:16 ; Deuteronomy 9:7-11 ).

Laws Given Previously. The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mount Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only: the law prohibiting the use of the fruit of the three of life ( Genesis 2:16 Genesis 2:17 ); the law of marriage ( Genesis 2:24 ); the law of sacrifice ( Genesis 4:1-7 ; Hebrews 11:4 ); the law against eating blood, and murder ( Genesis 9:4-6 ); and the law of circumcision ( Genesis 17:1-14 ).

Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day: the resting of the Lord on the seventh day; the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage ( Exodus 20:8-11 ; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 ).