TEN COMMANDMENTS. The Ten Commandments (or the Decalogue) appear twice in the Hebrew scriptures, at Exodus 20:1–17 and at Deuteronomy 5:6–21. There are differences between the two listings, but the order and the general contents are substantially identical. The commandments may be grouped as follows:

• Commandments 1–3: God's self-identification, followed by commandments against the worship of other gods, idolatry, and misuse of the divine name (Ex. 20:1–7, Dt. 5:6–11).
• Commandments 4–5: Positive commands to observe the Sabbath and to honor parents (Ex. 20:8–12, Dt. 5:12–16).
• Commandments 6–7: Prohibitions of violent acts against neighbors, namely, killing and adultery (Ex. 20:13–14, Dt. 5:17–18).
• Commandments 8–10: Prohibitions of crimes against community life, namely, stealing, testifying falsely, and hankering after the life and goods of neighbors (Ex. 20:15–17, Dt. 5:19–21).

In the Jewish and Christian communities the order has occasionally varied, and the numbering has varied considerably, especially in the different Christian communions. Tables listing the various enumerations can be found in works by...