Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia
Proclamation of the Law
  1. Date.
    1. It was (2083) two thousand and eighty-three years from the creation of Adam to the death of Terah or Abram's entrance into Canaan (Gen 5:3-32; Gen 7:6; Gen 11:10-32; Gen 12:1-4; Act 7:1-4);
    2. and it was (430) four hundred and thirty years from these events to the exodus (Exd 12:40-41; Gal 3:17);
    3. It was (50) fifty days from the exodus to the proclamation of the law (Exd 12:37; Exd 16:1-2; Exd 19:1-25; Exd 20:1-17; Num 33:3).

  2. The Ten Commandments. These commandments were proclaimed by the Lord, in person, from Mount Sinai (Exd 19:1-25; Exd 20:1-17; Heb 12:18-20). They,
    1. required strict submission to the one true and living God;
    2. prohibited idolatry in all forms;
    3. prohibited the taking of the name of the Lord in vain;
    4. required the keeping of the Sabbath;
    5. required the people to honor their parents;
    6. prohibited murder;
    7. prohibited adultery;
    8. prohibited stealing;
    9. prohibited the bearing of false witness;
    10. and prohibited covetousness (Exd 20:1-17).

    These commandments were subsequently given to Moses on tables of stone in order that he might teach them to the people (Exd 24:12). and preserve them (Exd 31:18). These tables were deposited in the ark of the Lord for safekeeping (Deu 10:1-5; Heb 9:4). These commandments were called
    1. "the words of the covenant," because they constituted the basis of the covenant between the Lord and His people (Exd 20:1-17; Exd 34:28);
    2. "the testimony," because they constantly testified to the fact that the Lord had spoken to them (Exd 20:1-17; Exd 25:16);
    3. "the tables of the covenant," because the words of the covenant were written upon them by the finger of God (Exd 31:18; Exd 32:15-16; Deu 9:7-11).

  3. Important facts—Laws given previously. The law proclaimed by Jehovah from Mount Sinai was the first law that was ever given for a whole nation. Laws had previously been given to individuals only:
    1. the law prohibiting the use of the fruit of the three of life (Gen 2:16-17);
    2. the law of marriage (Gen 2:24);
    3. the law of sacrifice (Gen 4:1-7; Heb 11:4);
    4. the law against eating blood, and murder (Gen 9:4-6);
    5. and the law of circumcision (Gen 17:1-14).

    Two reasons are given for the keeping of the sabbath day:
    1. the resting of the Lord on the seventh day;
    2. the deliverance of the Hebrews from bondage (Exd 20:8-11; Deu 5:12-15).
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Bibliographic Information:
Author: Johnson, Ashley S.
Title: "Proclamation of the Law"
Work: Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia
Date Added: 1 Jul 2002