The answer is: Deuteronomy

Deut 5

The Ten Commandments are a significant touchstone in the Bible, often serving as a moral foundation for Judeo-Christian thought. While most people remember them from Exodus 20, they’re actually reiterated in Deuteronomy 5, which puts an interesting spin on their purpose. Why restate these laws? One reason is that Deuteronomy is essentially framed as a final address by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land—a kind of spiritual checkpoint, reminding them of their covenant with God.

Just for fun, did you know that ancient Near Eastern cultures also had similar law codes, like the Code of Hammurabi? These parallels provoke fascinating dialogues about law, morality, and society at that time. However, what sets the Biblical commandments apart is their focus on both social justice and personal ethics.

Another cool aspect is how these commandments influenced not just religious practices, but entire legal systems. From international human rights to secular legal documents, echoes of the Ten Commandments still resonate today. They invite us to reflect on fundamental questions about responsibility, justice, and community.

Interestingly, when Moses recites the commandments in Deuteronomy, he emphasizes the call to love and obey God, reminding followers that their laws hinge on relationship, not just rules. It introduces an enduring call for selflessness and compassion—a notion very much alive in contemporary discussions about ethics.