Exodus 20:3 (BSB)

You shall have no other gods before Me.

From Exodus 20. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Exodus 20:3

  • John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Exodus 20:3: Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. In this commandment God enjoins that He alone should be worshipped, and requires a worship free from all superstition. For although it seems to be a simple prohibition, yet must we deduce an affirmation from the negative, as will be more apparent from the following words.
  • Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Exodus 20:1-11: Here is, I. The preface of the law-writer, Moses: God spoke all these words, Exo 20:1. The law of the ten commandments is, 1. A law of God's making. They are enjoined by the infinite eternal Majesty of heaven and earth. And where the word of the King of kings is surely there is power. 2. It is a law of his own speaking.
  • John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. This is the first command, and is opposed to the polytheism of the Gentiles, the Egyptians, from whom Israel was just come, and whose gods some of them might have had a favourable opinion of and liking to, and had committed idolatry with; and the Canaanites, into whose land they were going; and to prevent their joining...
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me--in My presence, beside, or except Me.