The answer is: Deuteronomy

Deut 5

The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, truly stand at the core of moral guidance in the Scriptures. They first appear in Exodus and then get a second airing in Deuteronomy, specifically in chapter 5. This repetition isn’t just a literary device—it's like God's way of hitting the refresh button.

In Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the Israelites of their journey and the covenantal obligations they’ve agreed to follow as God’s chosen people. It’s not just a checklist of dos and don’ts; these commandments provided a framework for ethical living while sustaining divine justice and community integrity.

Did you know that in the ancient Near East, it wasn’t uncommon to find a code of laws? The Code of Hammurabi, one of the well-known legal texts dating back to around 1754 BCE, has intriguing similarities to the commandments, yet while Hammurabi’s focus was more about earthly agrarian ethics tied to commerce, the Ten Commandments elevate moral law into a divine mandate—from duties to God and others.

Certainly, the command not to steal (Exodus 20:15) has implications far beyond just material theft; it opens a can of worms around integrity, honesty in relationships, even shaping one’s intention towards the well-being of others. This overarching principle—basic yet profound—remains just as relevant to moral discussions today. Therefore, when we reflect on these laws, we aren’t just looking at ancient directives; we’re accessing enduring truths that teach us about responsibility and respect within our communities.