The 10 Commandments Q+R (E16) — How do modern artistic depictions of God and Jesus relate to the 2nd Commandment? How do we honor aging parents well or honor abusive and dangerous parents? And how do the 10 Commandments stand apart from other ancient Near Eastern law codes? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from the 10 Commandments series. Thank you to our audience for your thoughtful contributions to this episode!

CHAPTERS

1. Intro (0:00-1:23)
2. How Do the 10 Commandments Stand Apart From Other Ancient Near Eastern Law Codes? (1:23-10:50)
3. How Do Modern Artistic Depictions of God and Jesus Relate to the 2nd Commandment? (10:50-18:24)
4. Can We Diminish God by How We Talk About Him (Like Saying, “God Is Love”)? (18:24-25:17)
5. How Do We Honor Aging Parents Well or Honor Abusive and Dangerous Parents? (25:17-34:56)
6. How Does the 6th Commandment Apply to Killing in Military Combat? (34:56-52:52)
7. What Are Other Positive Implications of the 8th Commandment? (52:52-58:03)
8. Conclusion (58:03-1:01:29)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• In the first question, Tim references our Biblical Law video and the following podcast episodes:
  • The Purpose of the Law
  • The Law as a Covenantal Partnership
  • God's Wisdom in the Law
  • The Law as a Revolution
  • Jesus Fulfills the Law
  • Law Q+R
• In the first question, Tim references other ancient law codes, such as the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi and the Mesopotamian Laws of Eshnunna.
• Created Equal: How the Bible Broke with Ancient Political Thought by Joshua A. Berman
• In the second question, Tim references our 2015 Covenants video as an example of a time when we revised a video after further reflection. Originally, God was depicted as an old man with a beard, and we later updated the video to show only hands representing God.
• Language for God in Patristic Tradition: Wrestling with Biblical Anthropomorphism by Mark Sheridan
• War, Peace, and Violence: Four Christian Views, edited by Paul Copan
• Fight: A Christian Case for Nonviolence by Preston Sprinkle
• The Ten Commandments: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church by Patrick D. Miller
• Find the 10 Commandments full collection of video, podcast, and written resources here.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments Hyperlink Episode (E15) — Sometimes at the close of a series, we’ll dig through the podcast archives to find clips that discuss similar ideas from a different perspective. In this 10 Commandments series, we explored how trusting in God's wisdom leads to true life and flourishing, while building lives on our own terms often leads to pain. So in this hyperlink episode, we’ll listen to three clips that explore this theme further. First, Jon and Tim break down the literary structure of the stories surrounding the 10 Commandments, which highlight humanity’s reluctance to wait on God's commands. Second, Jon, Tim, and former BibleProject scholar Carissa Quinn look at how the golden calf story in Exodus 32 relates to the 10 Commandments. And finally, Jon, Tim, and Carissa discuss how all of the Bible’s poems, narratives, laws, and letters are wisdom for us.

CHAPTERS

1. The Literary Structure of Exodus 19-24 (0:00-11:32)
2. Obeying God on Our Terms (11:32-31:10)
3. Commandments in a Modern Context (31:10-47:10)

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the 10 Commandments full collection of resources here.
• Clip 1 is from “Testing at Mount Sinai,” episode 6 in our 2022 series, Exodus Scroll.
• Clip 2 is from “A God of Our Own Making,” episode 2 in our 2020 series, Character of God.
  • Tim reads quotes from both the Talmud (sometimes referred to as the Babylonian Talmud) and Midrash Exodus Rabbah in the discussion about the golden calf of Exodus 32.
• Clip 3 is from “Wisdom for Life’s Complexity,” episode 8 in our 2021 series, The Paradigm.
• Find the 10 Commandments full collection of video, podcast, and written resources here.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

• “The Shepherd” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• “Just Truth” by Lofi Sunday feat. Yoni Charis
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host for today is Michelle Jones. Our creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E14 — We’ve come to the end of our series on the 10 Commandments, which are known in the Bible as the 10 Words. All throughout this series, we’ve returned to the idea that these commands are not rules to check off a list, but rather God’s wisdom that leads to true life and flourishing. In this episode, Jon and Tim reflect on some final insights about how to approach the 10 Words (and all of biblical law) as wisdom literature, just as Jesus did.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Building a Moral Universe (0:00-11:39)
2. Wisdom Leading to Life (11:39-23:40)
3. Biblical Laws as Wisdom, Justice, Mercy, and Love (23:40-40:18)
4. Jesus as the Embodiment of Wisdom (40:18-53:42)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• In chapter 3, Tim references episodes on biblical law from our How to Read the Bible series. Find those episodes here:
  • The Purpose of the Law
  • The Law as a Covenantal Partnership
  • God's Wisdom in the Law
  • The Law as a Revolution
  • Jesus Fulfills the Law
  • Law Q+R
• Find the 10 Commandments full collection of video, podcast, and written resources here.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Nice Day ft. Marc Vanparla, John Lee” by Lofi Sunday
• “That Gospel ft. Bobcat” by Lofi Sunday
• “Blissful Thoughts ft. TBabz” by Lofi Sunday
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E13 — We’ve arrived at the 10th and final commandment, which feels very different from all the ones that came before it: “Do not desire … anything that belongs to your neighbor.” While most translations use the word “covet,” we simply find khamad, which is the general Hebrew word for desire. All the other commandments involve observable actions, but desire is entirely internal. So why does God warn us about desiring things that belong to our neighbor? In this episode, Jon and Tim finish the 10 Commandments by showing how this command works as an undercurrent beneath all the others.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. The Meaning of “Desire” (0:00-21:13)
2. How the Hebrew Bible Talks About Desire (21:13-37:21)
3. What All Our Desires Point To (37:21-59:30)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• Find the 10 Commandments full collection of resources here.
• “The Twofold Center of Christian Ethics: Christian Freedom and God's Commandments” by Reinhard Hütter (essay in The Promise of Lutheran Ethics, edited by Karen L. Bloomquist and John R. Stumme)
• The Ten Commandments: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church by Patrick D. Miller
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Morning Light feat. Oly.Lo” by Lofi Sunday
• “Hilltops feat. JK Beatbrook” by Lofi Sunday
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E12 — The common summary of the 9th Commandment is “Do not lie,” a generic prohibition against all kinds of fibs. But the commandment actually reads “Do not bear false witness,” drawing attention to a very specific kind of lying in a communal, legal setting. Many of the other commandments are more general. So why does the 9th Commandment zoom in on truth telling in public, legal settings? In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the 9th Commandment, discovering its underlying value of upholding truth and justice in defense of the most vulnerable in society.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Meanings of “Bearing Witness” and “False” (0:00-23:51)
2. Case Studies in the 42 Commands (23:51-38:07)
3. The Value Beneath the Command (38:07-49:02)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Church Pews feat. Oly.Lo & wisdm” by Lofi Sunday
• “Yo” by Lofi Sunday, Just Derrick
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E11 — The 8th Commandment, “Do not steal,” seems straightforward enough. But why does God forbid theft in ancient Israel? What harm can come to a community where people’s property is always vulnerable? And what lies beneath the surface of our desire to take from our neighbor what doesn’t belong to us? In this episode, Jon and Tim unpack the eighth command, discovering its deeper invitations to contentment, generosity, and stewardship.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Consequences for Stealing in Ancient Israel (0:00-15:22)
2. The Belief Beneath Stealing (15:22-28:38)
3. Stewarding Our Neighbor’s Stuff (28:38-45:27)
4. Concluding Thoughts (45:27-52:49)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Chillbop” by Lofi Sunday feat. Me & the Boys
• “Old Record” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• “Warm Hugs” by Lofi Sunday feat. Cassidy Godwin
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E10 — The short commandment, “Do not commit adultery,” assumes that every marriage is vitally important and just as worth protecting as a human life. But why is a marriage covenant so important in the Bible? The biblical authors consider marriage to be a great mystery that points to something cosmic: God’s faithful commitment to humanity. In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the meaning of marriage in the Bible, and how its deeper values are relevant to both married and unmarried people.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Defining Adultery and Reflecting on its Penalty (0:00-15:00)
2. Israel’s Unique Prohibitions Against Adultery (15:00-25:08)
3. Genesis 1-2’s Meditations on Man and Woman as One  (25:08-42:42)
4. Marriage as a Reflection of God’s Covenant with His People (42:42-53:54)
5. Recap and Sacrificial Love as the Highest Value (53:54-1:07:04)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes
• “Grace – therefore, Holy” - sermon by Timothy Keller
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Purple Clouds” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• “Faithful” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• “Be Like Water” by Lofi Sunday feat. Zairis TéJion
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E9 — We’re now entering the second half of the 10 Commandments, where God guides Israel in how to relate to one another. The 6th Commandment is often translated “Do not murder.” However, the Hebrew word translated as "murder" can also be translated as "kill," which refers to both the premeditated and the unintentional taking of human life. So is this command saying not to kill at all? In this episode, Jon and Tim unpack the sixth command, highlighting the Bible’s ideal of valuing and protecting all life, even as things get increasingly complicated outside of Eden.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. The 6th Commandment and the Broad Meaning of Ratsakh (0:00-25:52)
2. The Cosmic Value of Life (25:52-36:29)
3. Accountability for Taking Life (36:29-1:00:32)

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• The Ten Commandments: Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church by Patrick D. Miller 
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Pure Joy ft. John Lee” by Lofi Sunday
• “Gentle Lamb” by Lofi Sunday, Yoni Charis
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E8 — The first four commandments focus on relating to God, and the last five focus on relating to other humans. Right in the middle, we find the 5th Commandment, which acts like a hinge between these two sections: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your Elohim gives you.” It’s the only commandment that comes with a promise and invokes both humans and God. So what is this special connection between parents and God? In this episode, Jon and Tim look at this unique command, exploring what it meant for ancient Israel and how followers of Jesus can practice it today.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Recap and Setup for the Fifth Command (0:00-8:33)
2. The Unique Role of Parents Compared to Yahweh (8:33-21:26)
3. The Meaning of “Honor” (21:26-39:45)
4. An Expansive View of Honoring the Elderly (39:45-56:58)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament) by R. T. France
• The Firstborn: The Last Will Be First podcast series
• The Last Will Be First video
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Forever Yours ft. Cassidy Godwin” by Lofi Sunday
• “Eden Dreaming ft. sxxnt” by Lofi Sunday
• “Sunrise ft. Jk Beatbook” by Lofi Sunday
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E7 — In the 4th Commandment, Yahweh tells Israel to remember the Sabbath and do no work, just as Yahweh does after creating the skies and the land. What’s going on here? What did this commandment mean to ancient Israel, and what should it mean to Jesus’ followers? In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the fourth command’s connections to the seven-day creation narrative and Israel’s liberation from Egyptian slavery, as well as its role in ancient Israel and the modern world.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. Israel’s Unique Covenant Partnership (0:00-9:12)
2. The Cosmic, Creation Version of the Command in Exodus 20 (9:12-28:25)
3. The Civil, Social Version of the Command in Deuteronomy 5 (28:25-39:55)
4. Sabbath in the Early Jesus Movement and Today (39:55-52:43)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• “Seventh-Day Rest - Sabbath” podcast series
• “Sabbath” video
• Created Equal: How the Bible Broke with Ancient Political Thought by Joshua A. Berman
• Sabbath and Jubilee by Richard H. Lowery
• From Sabbath to Lord's Day: A Biblical, Historical and Theological Investigation, edited by D.A. Carson.
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “I See You” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
• “Cruise” by Lofi Sunday feat. Just Derrick
• “Break Bread” by Lofi Sunday feat. Oly.Lo
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 10 Commandments E6 — Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” In the Bible, it turns out a lot, actually. The creator God Yahweh is the source of all life and good, so his name is the greatest name. But surprisingly, he attaches his name to Israel, a lowly nation of former slaves, and enters into a covenant with them. The covenant starts with a list of 10 commandments, or 10 words, and following these commandments will lead Israel to life and flourishing. In this episode, Tim and Jon discuss the 3rd Commandment, which is all about how Israel will carry Yahweh’s name, or represent him to one another and the surrounding nations.

FULL SHOW NOTES

For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.

CHAPTERS

1. What’s in a Name? (0:00-16:40)
2. Carrying, Bearing, and Representing (16:40-35:10)
3. What Does “in Vain” Mean? (35:10-48:42)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION

View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Find the related animated video for this episode here.
• Bearing YHWH’s Name at Sinai: A Reexamination of the Name Command of the Decalogue by Carmen Joy Imes
• Listen to our podcast conversation with Dr. Carmen Imes on this same topic: “Taking God’s Name in Vain?”
• Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.

SHOW MUSIC

• “Planted By The River” by Lofi Sunday feat. Jk Beatbook
• “New Mercies” by Lofi Sunday feat. PAINT WITH SOUND
• BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.