These were spoken commands of God to the people of Israel through Moses who mediated the covenant at the foot of Mount Sinai. In other words, they were a set of laws that God gave people of Israel to safe guard their relationship with Him and among themselves as they prepared to enter and possess the Promised Land.

These laws were written on two stone tablets and kept in a specially made box called the Covenant Box housed in a special tent as the Lord's dwelling place. They are also referred to as the Decalogue.

The first stone tablet contained three laws which are concerned with the relationship between God and mankind and the last seven laws written in the second stone are meant to safe guard the relationship among the human beings.

CONTENT OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus 20:3-17)

In the first commandment, God called upon Israel to worship only Him. This showed the oneness of God as He presented himself as the ultimate power worthy to be worshipped.

In verse 3, God forbade the Israelites from making images of anything. This came along with a call for Israel to desist from bowing down to any idol of worship it. He revealed His character as a jealous God who tolerates no rival but one who punishes those hating Him and one who loves those loving Him.

In the third command, God forbade Israel from using His name for evil purposes or else they stood to be punished. This meant that the Israelites were supposed to respect the name of God.

The fourth commandment required the Israelites to observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. They had to do their work in six and dedicate the seventh day to Him. This showed the importance of work as He went on to portray himself as having worked for six days creating the universe before resting and blessing the seventh day as a holy one meant for Him.

In the fifth commandment, God urged the people of Israel to give respect to their fathers and mothers if they were to live longer in the land they were about to be given. This confirms the roles of parents through whom He gives life to the world.

The sixth commandment forbade the Israelites from murdering. They had to respect and preserve human life. This reiterates the earlier call in the fifth command that suggests that He has exclusive rights over human life.

The seventh forbade the Israelites from committing adultery. Therefore, these required that the' people remained faithful in their marriages and avoid any misuse of sex.

The people of Israel were forbidden from stealing in the eighth commandment. This meant they had to respect each other's property and put their trust in God's providence.

The ninth commandment required that the Israelites desist from accusing anyone falsely. This was an encouragement for the people to speak the truth and it brings out God's desire for justice to prevail in Israel.

The tenth commandment was against having desire for another man's house or any of his possession. This was a call for the people of Israel to be satisfied with their own possessions.

The significance of the ten commandments to the Jews

It revealed the character of God to the Israelites as being jealous since He showed His inability to tolerate any rival.

It showed Israelites that sinfulness was an act of disobedience and punishable by God since it was against His will.

It reminded the Israelites of their monotheistic faith as they were required to worship only God.

It showed the holiness of God as it required Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a holy day dedicated to Him.

It revealed God's love for the people of Israel as He promised to show love to thousands of generations if they would love Him and obey His laws.

It signified the presence of God among the people as he continued revealing himself through his commands which they were required to observe.

It helped to maintain harmony among the Israelites since acts of injustices like killing, stealing, and lying were forbidden.

It created unity among the people of Israel as they were all bound by God's laws and the oneness in Him.

It became the basis of the teaching among the Israelites in their later history. The parents were required to teach their children about the laws. Besides, the prophets constantly reminded them about their obedience to the laws.

The laws were used as a measure of determining Israel's faithfulness to God. Obedience to the laws meant that they were faithful to Him and their disobedience showed their unfaithfulness.

It showed the people of Israel that God was active in their day-to-day life for He continued guiding them through His spoken words.

It helped to shape the morals of the people of Israel as they were forbidden from acts of immorality like lustful, stealing and committing adultery.

It reminded the Israelites about the importance of work in their daily life. They had to do their work in six days and rest on the seventh day.

It showed the uniqueness of the Israelites as God's chosen people as they had a code of conduct.