ten travel commandments

The 10 Commandments For All Travelers

Last Updated: September 13, 2021

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Behold: The 10 Commandments For All Travelers. Although I didn’t have to scribble them in stone atop a mountain, I did have to go to Ireland for them. 

This post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.

I took my Mum to Ireland a few years ago. Why? Because I won a trip. ( Indeed: that actually happens to people. I was suspicious about it myself, until the Irish soil under my feet made me a true believer ). 

Getting off the overnight flight from Canada and feeling a bit dazed, we were met by our cordial driver Dave, who delivered us to our hotel while making Dublin-based recommendations in a sing-songy voice that represents one of my all-time favourite accents in the world. 

When he handed us a wad of documents, maps, and itineraries for our trip, he covertly slipped a sheet of paper into it that I found absolutely delightful – and largely accurate: The 10 Commandments For Travel. 

I’ve seen various and similar versions of these ten commandments floating around online. Please enjoy! 

The 10 Commandments of Travel

I’ve taken the liberty of adding my own two cents and experiences to a few of these travelers ten commandments. 

1. Thou shalt not expect to find all things precisely as they were at home, for thou hast left home to find things different. 

Differences are for celebrating, not lamenting! You may sacrifice a bit of (what you perceive as) comfort at times, but it’s usually well worth it. 

2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a carefree mind is the cornerstone of a good trip.

Fret about the details, and you’ll miss the big picture – and for me, perspective on the big picture is at least part of the point of traveling to begin with. 

I recently read that “one minute of anger weakens your immune system for 4-5 hours. One minute of laughter boosts your immune system for over 24 hours”. Biology has spoken: laugh a little. 

3. Thou shalt not let other travelers get on thy nerves, for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself. 

This is a good rule for life. Other people are designed to piss you off! It’s how you choose to react that makes all the difference. I learned about that during my shamanic apprenticeship in Peru , where I learned some extremely valuable life lessons that made me more compassionate and easy-going on the whole. 

4. Thou shalt not worry, for he who worrieth hath little joy. 

Also a good rule for life. There are so many things you can worry about while traveling – it’s almost endless! But worrying accomplishes very little except the development of ulcers. Surrendering to your circumstances (be it a delayed flight or a lost passport ) is the best solution. 

If it’s finances that have you worried, perhaps you’ll resonate with the advice of a colleague of mine, who says he never frets any expense under $10. While I’ll admit that wantonly spending $7 here and $5 there will add up pretty quickly, I also agree that desperately haggling something down or sacrificing a nicer meal costing $15 for a crappy meal costing $7 is not time or energy well spent. 

5. Thou shalt not judge all people of a country by one person with whom thou hast had a problem. 

This is a common problem in the travel world. People paint with broad strokes about entire nationalities based on a bad experience with a few representatives of that country….for example if those representatives are awake (and drunk) at 3am in a hostel dorm room, repacking their luggage and rustling plastic bags like a baby with a rattle. Not that I’ve ever had that experience, nooooo…..

6. Blessed are they who can wait and smile, for they shall enjoy themselves. 

Patience is the biggest lesson I’ve learned since I left Canada in 2007. Not only might that bus you’re waiting for be late, but it might never come. Best to enjoy yourself in the meantime instead of fretting about the bus. This is travel in all its splendour; get used to it. (See also: The Very-Fast Train is 1 Hour Late – and Other Ukrainian Paradoxical Experiences )

7. Thou shalt do only somewhat as the natives do. 

The first thing that comes to mind here is drinking water. Locals might glug from the tap like there’s no tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean you can. Please, just….trust me. (See also: Dealing With Parasites: A Guide to Clean Drinking Water Around the World )

8. Thou shalt carry the Passport with thee at all times in a safe place, for it is said that a (wo)man without a Passport is a (wo)man without a country. 

Once I arrive at a destination, I don’t actually carry my passport with me everywhere; but I always have a copy on me. While the legality of this strategy is debatable (technically you are required to have your passport with you at all times), I won’t be jailed for having only a passport copy with me, but I could end up in some serious doo-doo if it’s stolen abroad. Again, please….just trust me.

(See also: How to Carry and Store Your Passport the Safe Way – and What to Do if It’s Lost/Stolen ) ALSO: Anti-Theft Bags, and Tips to Keep Your Stuff Secure

9. Thou canst be welcome in every land. Treat thy hosts with respect and thou shalt be an honoured guest. 

Entitlement (or hopefully the lack thereof) is the key here….every experience on the road (and in life) is a gift. Traveling with both humility and respect will usually keep you in the universal good books. 

While I’ve seen some pretty gauche travelers abroad, in my experience expats (and travelers staying for extended periods of time) are the worst offenders. (See also: The Irony of Expat Life – Pros and Cons )

10. Blessed be the traveler who can say thank you in any language…for this and a smile doubles the value of any tip.

Before I land in a new country, I have some basic words in my repertoire – the most important of which is “thank you”. 

While I’m there, I ask people how to say various words and phrases that will be useful as I go. I write these phrases in a little notebook and practice until they’re committed to memory. After a month in Thailand doing this (and having learned the number system already), I was able to go to a market and greet vendors, exchange basic pleasantries, negotiate for and buy an item, and take my leave politely – all in Thai. (And yes, I got some great deals this way). And of course, there’s an app for that as well.  

(See also: How to Become Fluent in Spanish – and Other Languages )

Any missing rules for travel here? Please share in the comments!

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13 thoughts on “The 10 Commandments For All Travelers”

Thank you for the smile, these are wonderful and so true. Would’ve helped to remember a couple of them on my recent trip 🙂

Glad you enjoyed these, Georgia!

Bahahaha!!! These are hilarious (but so true)!

Advice for travel….and life!

You don’t mean to say that common sense and basic manners require being made known to people today? I am shocked! Unfortunately, some but not all, need these 10 commandments engraved on their chests.

Myles – LOL! You’re not wrong… 😉

Insightful post. I completely agree with your fifth point. People are generally judgemental on this.

Hi Saurabh – Indeed. I think it’s a common human condition to try to “categorize” people through sometimes isolated experiences. Travel is great for reducing such prejudices though!

Unique post, every traveler must learn to follow these steps.

The 7th and the 10th one, I am gonna start to follow it strictly from now onwards. Thank you for sharing such a lovely post for all the travelers out there.

Thank you for the lovely comment, Anukrati! Glad you enjoyed this post.

“Remember to take half as many clothes as though thinkest and twice the money.”

“Thou shalt not worry for he that worrieth hath no pleasure, and few things are that fatal.”

Excellent additions, Catherine! 🙂

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Ten Commandments - Bible Story

The 10 Commandments were given to the nation of Israel through Moses. The nation of Israel was now free from slavery in Egypt and was camped around Mount Sinai when thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and the sound of trumpets signaled God's presence. Moses met with God, and the 10 Commandments were written for the people to follow.

The Ten Commandments are a set of moral guidelines from the Bible that are meant to provide a basic code of conduct for believers to live by. The Ten Commandments are as follows:

The Ten Commandments

Thou shall have no other gods before me. ( Exodus 20:3 ) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images. ( Exodus 20:4-6 ) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. ( Exodus 20:7 ) Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy. ( Exodus 20:8-11 ) Honor your father and mother. ( Exodus 20:12 ) Thou shalt not murder. ( Exodus 20:13 ) Thou shalt not commit adultery. ( Exodus 20:14 ) Thou shalt not steal. ( Exodus 20:15 ) Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ( Exodus 20:16 ) Thou shall not covet your neighbor. ( Exodus 20:17 )

(Read the entire chapter of Exodus 20 in the Bible section below.)

The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20

1 And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

The 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5

Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 It was not with our ancestors that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. 4 The Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. 5 (At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said: 6 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 7 “You shall have no other gods before me. 8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. 16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 17 “You shall not murder. 18 “You shall not commit adultery. 19 “You shall not steal. 20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

Importance of the Ten Commandments 

Three months after God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Written in stone by the finger of God, each of these statutes was collectively meant to show the Israelites God’s standard of holiness. This standard would give His people a glimpse of God’s character, prove to them that they could never attain righteousness on their own, and plant in their hearts a longing for salvation that would be realized through the sacrifice of God’s Son—Jesus. "So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." ( Galatians 3:24 )

The Ten Commandments are still relevant today, as they guide living a moral and ethical life. They can be used as a tool for self-reflection and understanding how our actions relate to honoring God and loving our neighbor.

Bible Story of the 10 Commandments

God’s chosen people, Israel, had suffered under Egyptian bondage for over 400 years. He heard their cries, and from a burning bush, God commissioned Moses to lead His people to freedom. Three months after the Exodus, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness of Sinai. 

At the foot of Mt. Sinai, God spoke to Moses again and gave him an important message to relay to the thousands of wandering Israelites. “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.  Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” ( Exodus 19:4-6 ) 

Before that time, God had not issued an official set of laws or specific regulations for His people to obey, nor were they aware of His new covenant. But that would soon be remedied. After two days of consecration and preparation, the people of Israel gathered around the foot of the mountain to hear the word of the Lord. 

Only Moses and Aaron were permitted to ascend Mt. Sinai to be in God’s near presence, but God’s voice thundered through smoke, fire, earthquake, and trumpet blast to reach the ears of the trembling masses standing at the mountain's foot.

10 Commandments Bible Meaning

The ten laws that God gave the Israelites at Sinai have come to be known as The Ten Commandments or the Decalogue , “a Hebrew expression, which occurs three times in the Old Testament and literally means ‘ten words.’” The first four commandments deal with the Israelites' responsibility to God, and the final six commandments address the Israelites' responsibility toward each other. Here is a summary and brief explanation of the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 :

“You shall have no other gods before me.” God desires our complete loyalty and allegiance for our own benefit, not to forget His divine providence. This command forbids placing anyone or anything above God. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 8:6 ; 1 Timothy 2:5 )

“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below….”  This command forbids the use of any man-made image for the purpose of worship. No human has the ability to create a piece of artwork or construct a statue that accurately represents God. He alone is worthy of worship. (New Testament References: 1 John 5:21 , Galatians 4:8 , Romans 1:21-23 )

Don’t misuse God’s name —This command forbids mishandling, lightly using, or speaking in vain the name of God. (New Testament References: 1 Timothy 6:1 , Matthew 5:33-37 ) 

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy —This commandment required the Israelites to set aside a specific day of the week to dedicate as a day of rest to the Lord—the Sabbath. (New Testament References: Hebrews 4:1-11 tells us that Jesus fulfilled this law completely. Christians find their Sabbath rest in the person of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:16 confirms that New Covenant Believers are no longer required to adhere to Sabbath laws.) 

Honor your mother and father —This command requires that parents be shown honor and respect. It’s also the only command that comes with a promise. “so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (New Testament References: Ephesians 6:1-2 , Matthew 15:4-9 )

Do not murder —This command forbids the premeditated killing of another human being. (New Testament References: Romans 13:9 ; 1 Peter 4:15 )

Don’t commit adultery —This command forbids breaking the sacred marriage covenant by having sexual relations with anyone other than one’s spouse. (New Testament References: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , John 8:1-20 )

Don’t steal —This command forbids taking someone else’s possessions without permission. (New Testament References: Ephesians 4:28 , Luke 19:8 )

Don’t give false testimony against your neighbor —This command forbids testifying falsely against someone in court, but the context also implies that lying is forbidden. (New Testament References: Revelation 21:8 , John 8:44 )

  Don’t covet —This command forbids harboring a desire for someone else’s possessions, spouse, or property. (New Testament References: Colossians 3:5 , Ephesians 5:3 )

Why Did God Give These Laws to the Israelites?

God chose Israel as His own special possession. ( Deuteronomy 7:6-9 ) But their sinful nature, inherited from Adam, separated the Israelites from their Holy Father. Out of love for His people, God set Israel apart and provided the law as a first step in His master plan to reconcile Himself with fallen humanity.

The Old Testament lists 613 laws that governed ancient Hebrew society. The Ten Commandments were part of God’s moral law. All these laws served as guardians, guardrails, and teaching tools to help the Israelites understand God’s expectations and to demonstrate to them that they could never live up to those expectations through their own human efforts. ( Romans 3:20 ; 5:20; 7:7-8) 

The law was also an expression of God’s grace. ( Ezekiel 36:26 ) Because the Israelites couldn’t master righteous living on their own, Priests continually offered blood sacrifices on behalf of every violator. ( Leviticus 17:11 ) Without the law, the Israelites would not have recognized their need for atonement. And the required means for atonement—shed blood—foreshadowed the one-time redemptive sacrifice that would be provided through the Lamb of God , Jesus Christ. ( John 1:29 )

Do the Commandments Apply to Christians Today?

The Ten Commandments are essential to our Biblical heritage and integral to every Christian’s origin story. Jesus didn’t “abolish the law when he died on the cross.” Instead, He did something far greater, fulfilling the law. “ Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes .” ( Romans 10:4 )

Believers are set free from the law, which was powerless anyway because of our sinful nature because God sent His own righteous Son to be our once-and-for-all sin offering. ( Romans 8:2-4 )

When someone accepts Christ by faith, the Spirit of God comes to abide inside that person. And when we live “according to the Spirit,” all those laws that Jesus fulfilled are manifest through us in the form of His righteousness. This salvation is God’s new covenant of grace that replaces the old covenant of law. ( Hebrews 8:6 , Jeremiah 31:31 )

Although the gift of salvation is offered with no strings attached to all who believe, the New Testament offers instructional guidelines to help new Christians learn what walking by faith means. In fact, most of the original Ten Commandments are recognized in the New Testament as principles for Christian living. So, what’s the difference? If Christians are still called to live by God’s standards, how does that differ from adherence to the law? 

The differences are astounding. The Old Covenant law demanded compliance or death. The New Covenant was set into motion through the obedience of the only One who could measure up to God’s standards. In love, Christ laid down His life for us—while we were yet sinners. Those who are saved love Jesus because He first loved us. It’s that love that compels Believers to take up our cross and follow Him.— Law vs. Love ( Romans 13:8-10 )  

Under the Old Covenant, God’s chosen people were slaves to sin, a condition made apparent by rules and regulations. Through the New Covenant, Christ not only secured our freedom from slavery, but He also initiated our adoption into God’s family. We are no longer slaves to sin but heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Slaves vs. Heirs ( Galatians 4:4-7 ) 

Under the Old Covenant, even David, a man after God’s own heart, failed to meet God’s righteous requirements. Why? Because all David’s self-effort amounted to filthy rags. Through the New Covenant, the indwelling Holy Spirit manifests Christ’s righteousness through the life of a surrendered Believer. Self vs. Spirit ( Galatians 5:16-26 )

By living out our love for the Father and love for others, through Christ’s power—we are given the desire and the ability to “obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” ( 1 John 5:3 )

Why Are the Ten Commandments Still Important?

The Ten Commandments are vital to understanding the Holy nature of God as it contrasts with our fallen, sinful nature. The Commandments also played an essential role in God’s overall redemptive plan. 

Our modern culture has a habit of dodging moral absolutes, re-identifying sacred truths, and systematically removing all concrete standards of conduct. Even though most Believers understand their freedom from the law, through Christ, the Ten Commandments are an essential tool in our evangelistic arsenal to help the deceived world rightly define right from wrong.

The Good News is only Good News if a sinner recognizes the death sentence they face due to their unbelief and consequent sin. The Ten Commandments act as a mirror to reveal the filth that only Jesus can erase. 

Use the articles, videos, and audio below to further your understanding of the significance and relevance of the 10 Commandments in our lives.

Annette Marie Griffin  is an award-winning author and speaker who has managed and directed children’s and youth programs for over 20 years. Her debut children’s book, What Is A Family?, was released through Familius Publishing in 2020. Annette has also written a curriculum for the character growth and development of elementary-age children and has developed parent training seminars to benefit the community. Her passion is to help wanderers find home. She and her husband have five children—three who have already flown the coop and two adopted teens still roosting at home—plus two adorable grands who add immeasurable joy and laughter to the whole flock.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages

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The 10 Commandments: Full List and Bible Meaning

God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses to share with all the Israelites. Moses reiterated them 40 years later as the Israelites neared the Promised Land. Although the 10 Commandments are from thousands of years ago, they still influence our society today.

Here are lists of the 10 Commandments in short form and as found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 . We have also included lists of the Ten Commandments with Catholic and Jewish numbering for reference.

God wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets and gave them Moses to share with all the Israelites soon after they left captivity in Egypt ( Exodus 20:1-26 ). Moses reiterated them 40 years later in Deuteronomy 5:1-22 as the Israelites neared the Promised Land.

Even thousands of years after Moses was given these laws directly from God, they still influence and guide the moral principles of Christianity today. Further, discover Jesus's teaching and fulfillment of the commandments.

Table of Contents

• 10 Commandments: Short Form
• 10 Commandments in Exodus 20
• 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5
• Catholic Numbering
• Jewish Numbering
• Importance Today
• Why Two Tablets?
• What Did Jesus Say?

Short List of the 10 Commandments

1.  Thou shalt not have any  other gods before God .

2.  Thou shalt not make yourself  an idol .

3.  Thou shalt not take the  Lord's name in vain . 

4.  Remember the  Sabbath Day  and keep it Holy.

5.  Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Thou shalt not murder.

7.  Thou shalt not commit  adultery .

8.  Thou shalt not steal.

9.  Thou shalt not testify or  bear false witness  against your neighbor.

10.  Thou shalt not  covet .

The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20

1. “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." ( Exodus 20:2-3 )

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."  ( Exodus 20:4-6 )

3. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." ( Exodus 20:7 )

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." ( Exodus 20:8-11 )

5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." ( Exodus 20:12 )

6. “You shall not murder." ( Exodus 20:13 )

7. “You shall not commit adultery." ( Exodus 20:14 )

8. “You shall not steal." ( Exodus 20:15 )

9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." ( Exodus 20:16

10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” ( Exodus 20:17 )

The 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5

Moses recounted the 10 Commandments after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. There are only a few differences in the language from Exodus 20 . These minor distinctions are found in the 4th, 5th, and 10th Commandments.

1. “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me." ( Deut. 5:6-7 )

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." ( Deut. 5:8-10 )

3. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." ( Deut. 5:11 )

4. “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day." ( Deut. 5:12-15 )

5. “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you." ( Deut. 5:16 )

6. “You shall not murder." ( Deut. 5:17 )

7. “You shall not commit adultery." ( Deut. 5:18 )

8. “You shall not steal." ( Deut. 5:19 )

9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." ( Deut. 5:20 )

10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s."  ( Deut. 5:21 )

The 10 Commandments: Catholic Numbering

1. “I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

2. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

3. “Remember to keep holy the LORD’s Day.

4. “Honor your father and mother.

5. “You shall not kill.

6. “You shall not commit adultery.

7. “You shall not steal.

8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”

(Source: “ Catechism of the Catholic Church ”)

The 10 Commandments: Jewish Numbering

1. “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage.

2. “You shall not recognize the gods of others in My presence. You shall not make yourself a carved image nor any likeness of that which is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the water beneath the earth. You shall not prostrate yourself to them nor worship them, for I am the Lord, your God.

3. “You shall not take the Name of the Lord, your God, in vain, for The Lord will not absolve anyone who takes His Name in vain.

4. “Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it. Six days shall you work and accomplish all your work; but the seventh day is Sabbath to the Lord, your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son, your daughter, your servant, your animal, and the stranger within your gates—for in six days The Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore, The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it.

5. “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be lengthened upon the land that the Lord, your God, gives you.

6. “You shall not murder.

7. “You shall not commit adultery.

8. “You shall not steal.

9. “You shall not bear false witness against your fellow.

10. “You shall not covet your fellow’s house: you shall not covet your fellow’s wife, or his man servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your fellow.”

(Source:  Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Rabbi Stewart Vogel , The Ten Commandments, 1998.)

Why Are There Only Ten Commandments?

Scholars agree that the Ten Commandments, or more literally, “10 Words,” are found in Exodus 20:1-26 and Deuteronomy 5:1-22 . Still, they debate the division of the commands because there are more than ten commands!

In Hebrew scrolls, the text is typically written in a format justified in columns. The Ten Commandments stand out because they are not right and left sides justified, but large white spaces are in the middle of the text. This “parashah setumah” spacing in the text highlights the importance of these words.

In English translations, a new paragraph is started after each commandment. The unusual Hebrew spacing has led to differences in counting the 10 Commandments in Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic traditions. 

The Commandments on Our Relationship to God

The first several commandments kept the Lord God as the focus. God created the world and everything in it. He knew what was required for a successful, holy life.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” ( Exodus 20:2-7 ). Recommended 5 Underrated Bible Verses to Bring You Fresh Encouragement Today

The initial commandments start with the relationship with the “Lord your God” ( Exodus 20:2 ). God told His people He was their Lord, Master, and Creator God. They should have no other gods, and they should not make idols. They should not misuse his name. These commands were a dramatic change from the Egyptian view of a deity. During captivity in Egypt, they worshipped Pharaoh and other Egyptian deities like Ra, Anubis, and Osiris.

The Sabbath: Connecting God and His People

The Sabbath bridges our relationship with God, and the following commandments address our relationships with others.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” ( Exodus 20:8-11 ).

God commanded his people to take the Sabbath for their benefit. God “blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”  This phrase in the Ten Commandments is a quote from the creation account in Genesis 2:3 ,  “Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested.” 

God wants us to delight in His Word, enjoy his creation, celebrate beauty and love, and rejoice in the harvest. God intended for his people to enjoy their relationship with Him and each other by valuing the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is set apart to connect with God and with other people. No one was excluded from the command to rest – even foreigners, servants, and livestock were called to take a break from work on the Sabbath. It was to be a blessing for all of creation.

The Commandments on Our Relationship to People

Leaving captivity in Egypt meant establishing a new society. The law established healthy boundaries based on respect for God and other people rather than brute strength. 

Read these laws and imagine how they would help develop a healthy community.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” ( Exodus 20:2-17 ).

Honor Your Father and Mother.  Our relationship with our parents is the foundation for our future relationships and choices.  Here’s how Paul explained to new believers in Ephesians that choosing to honor your parents has consequences like enjoying a long life.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth’” ( Ephesians 6:1-3 ).   

Parents are their kids’ first teachers. Kids learn to honor their parents by seeing their parents honor God and His commandments.

Do Not Lie.  The following commandments dealt with relationships with others after establishing healthy relationships with God and family.

Living in a healthy community meant respecting others’ boundaries. Lying devalues and disrespects another person by not telling the truth.

Do Not Steal.  God’s people were also commanded not to steal. In a time when “might makes right,” they were to respect each other’s property rights.

Do Not Murder.  Then God commanded his people not to murder. Because people are made in the image of God, life has value.  Murder is an intentional act that says that a person’s life has no value compared to another’s priorities.

Interestingly, God did not say, “Do not kill.” Hebrew has nuances that consider the difference between murder, accidental death, or an act of war.  

You Shall Not Commit Adultery.  God commanded his people to be faithful in marriage and to respect other people’s vows as a model of faithfulness in their relationship with God. Adultery devalues the commitment made between a husband and wife and to God. Interestingly, God’s command not to commit adultery was an equal standard for men and women.

In the New Testament, Jesus called his followers to faithfulness in marriage ( Matthew 5:27-28 , Mark 10:11-12 ). Paul explained to the Corinthians how to avoid sexual immorality by being faithful to one’s spouse.

“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband” ( 1 Corinthians 7:2 ).

You Shall Not Covet.  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” ( Exodus 20:17 ).

Why would God include coveting in the same list as murder, stealing, and adultery?

God knew coveting a neighbor’s servant, ox, or wife was a stepping stone to ungratefulness and discontentment – even lying, stealing, murder, and adultery. Focusing on what others have diminishes our ability to appreciate the good things in our lives. 

Here are 15 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know By Heart for you to download or share with loved ones!

What Is the Importance of the Ten Commandments?

The law given to Moses provided the foundation for a new Israelite society. They provided the foundation of personal and property rights found in our modern legal system. Jewish tradition holds that all 613 laws found in the Torah are summed up in the Ten Commandments.

Christians view the Ten Commandments as the foundation of God’s moral law. Jesus called people to an even higher standard by obeying the commandments not only in their actions but also in their hearts. For instance, Jesus quoted the command not to commit adultery ( Exodus 20:14 , Deuteronomy 5:18 )

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” ( Matthew 5:27-28 ).

Why Were the Ten Commandments on Two Tablets? 

According to Exodus 32:15 , God engraved both sides of the tablets. Many wonder which words were written on the stone tablets and if the first tablet contained commands 1-5 and the second contained 6-10. Other scholars divide the list between the first two commandments and the following eight based on the word length of the text.

The Ten Commandments are evidence of a covenant between God and his people. Some scholars think that both tablets contained identical copies of the same commands, just we have two copies of a legal document.

What Does Jesus Say about the Ten Commandments?

You could summarize the Ten Commandments given to Moses in the two "greatest commandments" given by Jesus: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and Love your neighbor as yourself." As Jesus continued, "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." ( Matthew 22:40 )

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, " The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." And the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. ~ Mark 12:28-34

What Did God Teach Us Through the Ten Commandments?

Below is a transcript of this video edited for readability:

I think the first thing we need to do is understand who the author of all law is, and that, of course, is God. And here's where we now fall back to our theology and understand God and his attributes. If indeed, God is perfect, which he is and must be, then we need to think about God as the law's author. First, I think we need to step back and remember natural law. If God is the author of both mosaic and natural law, those laws cannot contradict one another, or else the perfect God has two separate and distinct laws. So what we must remember is natural law is that non-saving law, that all of humanity, every man, woman, boy, or girl, has written on their heart or what we'd call the conscience. And so everyone, even though Romans 1 says that "Everyone gladly distorts the truth with a lie," everyone knows that there is a God. He is a perfect God. He is righteous and holy. He is to be served and worshiped. And that there is punishment for not coming to him according to his desires.

What mosaic law is, one, it cannot contradict natural law. And so what it is, it is a special revelation view or exa Jesus, if you will, of natural law, because it tells us the exact same thing, except in a salvific manner, that God is holy. He is righteous. And that he, his laws are righteous. And the only way to him is through perfection or righteousness, according to his law, which we do not possess through the fall. And so the only way back to God, the Father, is through Jesus Christ, the son who perfectly observes all law, mosaic and natural.

The Ten Commandments are the embodiment of the mosaic law. It is not as though these ten are the only 10. In fact, when you look at Exodus chapter 20, all the way through 25, you will see, all the way through the Pentateuch, law after law after law. The Ten Commandments are those ten words in Hebrew that embody the mosaic legislation or the mosaic covenant.

And so it's these laws that those who are inside the mosaic covenant are now obligated to abide by. And, of course, in Exodus, chapter 24, Moses repeats the law. And he also repeats the blessings and the curses of the covenant. And then, of course, he offers a sacrifice, splashes some of the blood on the altar, and then splashes the blood on the people who are obliged to the covenant. And so, those ten commandments in and of themselves, in the strictest sense, belong to the mosaic covenant. However, because they're tied to and are the further exa Jesus of natural law, therein lies that which all of humanity is under. So in that sense, all of humanity, Christians and non-Christians, are under natural law. And through these laws, through these ten commandments through natural law, God teaches that he is holy, that he is righteous, that there is one God, he is perfect. And he is a God of order, and he must be worshiped rightly and according to his mandates rather than our own.

Bar-IlanUniversity , “Counting the Ten Commandments and Writing Them on the Tablets.” Yogev Bar-Gad. 2017.

Britannica.com , “Exodus: Old Testament.” The Editors. 2014.

JewFAQ.org , “Aseret ha-Dibrot: The ‘Ten Commandments.’" Tracy Rich.

Smith, James E., Ph.D. The Ten Commandments Reconsidered . Pg. 31. 2016.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/allanswart

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The 10 Commandments for your next travel

What are the odds of you living your dream and doing what you want? What does it take to live a happy and content life without regrets? What would you do to make it all come true?

Making a decision is only the beginning of things. This line from Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist makes a lot of sense. Before making a decision, I’m sure you have weighed your reasons and justified them.

Now, of all time, is the right moment to think it through and live as you’re born with it. As guide, here are the ten commandments for your travel.

Table of Contents

Commandment #1: Know what you want.

As an aspiring traveler, you should know that the kind of life you’re getting in to is risky and takes a lot of sacrifices. Weigh things and know your limits. This is always the first step in getting somewhere.

When I was in high school, I only dreamed of going to Japan. I did not even have an idea if I would be able to get out of the Philippines considering that I live an average life. But last year, when an opportunity came, I kept my eyes on it, claimed it mine and didn’t give up.  After a few months of applications, interviews and screenings, voila! My dream is mine because I knew I wanted it. I earned a spot for a cultural exchange program, got the title Ambassadress of Goodwill and lived my dream- for FREE! ^_^

Commandment #2:  Foresee the things that you’re going to do.

Now that you know what you really want and convinced that you’re willing to take all the risks, you need to envision yourself out there. See yourself and prepare your mind for what’s coming soon. Get ready to see the world in its true form. May it be pretty or ugly; you’ll always find a positive side to it. See yourself in a pathway of musicians in Prague, in the street eating Pad Thai , on a ski resort building snowman or a bridge getting ready for bungee jumping!

Commandment #3:  Make a timeline.

They say that a dream remains to be a wish until it gets to be written. Then, it becomes a plan. At this point, whether you’re a college student, a high-school student, an employee or just a bored by-stander, making a timeline will always keep you on track. Consider your situation. Ask questions like can I afford this trip? How long would I need to save? Putting a projected completion date and actual completion date for each plan, especially the preparation would also help a lot. This will make you see where you’re already getting at.

Commandment #4:  Make a budget plan.

It is undeniable that money has a great say when it comes to travelling. What with the flight tickets, food and accommodation, it just takes a lot. However, when you make a budget plan , you’ll know how much you’ll need to survive for your trips, and you’ll know how much more you’ll need to save up to push through with your travel plans. Also when you dream to be on a long-term backpacking, consider looking for other sources of income so as not to run out of funds. That’s the least thing you need in a foreign place.

Commandment #5:  Make your connections.

Travelling alone or with a group could be very hard. If you are a first timer, you really need to put this into consideration. Know travel agencies, follow airline pages, talk to people who have experienced. This will help you not only in making your plans work but in motivating you to do something towards your goals. First-hand accounts and experiences never fail to make my jaw drop, and I’m positive that it’ll make yours too.

Commandment #6:  Do your research.

Just like any other activities, doing your research is essential. Know your geography. Well, let me tell you. You wouldn’t want to bring really thin clothes in Siberia if you don’t want to die of frost bite. Know other places’ culture. No traveler would want to be stuck in a situation where he/she can’t compromise. Know your routes, find good and interesting new places. Know the requirements in entering countries that you plan to visit. In that case, it wouldn’t be hard to make your itinerary.

Commandment #7:  Get your papers ready.

Think you’re already set? Nuh-uh. You’re only halfway through. Remember that you need your papers to get to places especially if you plan to travel outside the country. Well, if you only plan to travel locally, you wouldn’t need your passport. But then, it’s always good to be ready. Keep in mind that the passport is the bible for traveling. Also note that other countries require more papers than the others especially in applying for visas . Better be ready with those things. We don’t want any delays, do we?

Commandment #8: Book your Flight

Here we go with the exciting part. We’re almost there. Just need to decide on what will take you to your destination. Booking a flight is a crucial thing. You need to make sure you can afford the flights. But because you already made your budget plans and did your research, you’re all set after a few clicks. Booking a flight could be a lot cheaper when done early, even save more by watching out for airline promos.

Commandment #9:  Pack up.

Excited, aren’t you? Packing up could be really hard especially if you are one meticulous person. But in travelling, packing too much as if trying to fit a room in your suitcase or backpack is a big no-no. You don’t want to be stressed while travelling. If you have a tendency to overpack, imagine yourself carrying a backpack , a shoulder bag, another backpack and luggage . We’ll see if you wouldn’t trash other things and decide just to leave them behind. Travel lightly might be a cliché already but you wouldn’t want to overlook this.

Commandment #10:  See the world.

Now you’re all set. See the world beckoning before your very eyes. Don’t miss a moment of it. Try all the new experiences awaiting you for those are what molds you into a better, bolder and more fearless person . Savor the moment and grasp it one by one. Breathe fresh air and feel renewed. The world has too many wonders waiting to be discovered.  Don’t stick to the common places. Get lost in alleys, talk to people and do what the locals do. Those are where good stories come from. These common people have interesting stories to tell. Make memories that will last more than a lifetime. Open your eyes to the many wonders and don’t forget to share them.

Looking for other articles? Check out our  DIY Travel Guides Around the World  and  City Guides  (Awesome Things to do in each Destination). For cheap and luxurious places to stay while travelling, here’s our  ultimate list of best hostels and hotels !

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10 thoughts on “ The 10 Commandments for your next travel ”

Thank you for posting these steps. I will definitely visit your blog again for more helpful tips!

Thank you so much @meriannegracejoldaneroeree:disqus!!1=)

Helpful tips! Thanks for sharing… 😀

You’re welcome! 🙂 I hope you can share this with your friends who are also planning to travel. May you have fun and safe travels ^_^

Useful post! Just discovered your site too. It’s a great travel resource! Will be visiting it regularly. 🙂

Thank you so much 🙂 I hope you can use these step for your next travel. Also keep supporting the site and like the Two Monkeys Travel on Facebook for more updates.

Great post! It’s amazing what kind of travel is possible when a bit of planning is involved. I think a lot of people don’t realize that, but these are great (and very achievable!) steps.

Thank you so much. I’m glad you find these tips helpful. Have fun on your next travels ^_^

Kach and Jon you NEED to get step 1 down. Fab commandments! We’re flying to Bali in about 7 hours. 24 hours on the plane in total from NYC to Denpasar and we’d have it no other way. Me and my wife got super clear on what we wanted and then the Universe helped us make a beeline for this really crazy neat lifestyle. It’s been freeing and uncomfy at times but what an adventure. To think: we went from blogging in NJ to Blogging from Paradise. Your clear steps – especially #1 – are the 10 commandments to follow.

Thanks Kach and Jon for the fun share and keep on inspiring!

Hello Ryan! Thanks for the feedback! Enjoy Bali, do you already have a place to stay there? Enjoy the paradise, blogging would be waaayyy better! Indeed, I’m a firm believer of #lawofattraction! =)

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Two Monkeys Travel Group – Community Travel Blog is a travel blog and website. We quickly grew into a valuable source of inspiring travel stories, advice, itineraries and travel guides, with the aim of demonstrating how to live a sustainable life of travel, whilst living your own definition of success. If you'd like to contribute and write a guest post, contact us at [email protected]

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10 Things You Should Know About the Ten Commandments

More By Kevin DeYoung

This is an adapted excerpt from The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why We Should Obey Them , published in partnership with Crossway.

1. Moses never actually refers to them as the “ten commandments.”

Exodus 20:1–2 introduces one of the most famous sections in the Bible—indeed, one of the most important pieces of religious literature in the whole world—the Ten Commandments. Oddly enough, they’re never actually called the Ten Commandments.

The Hebrew expression, which occurs three times in the Old Testament (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; 10:4), literally means “ten words.” This is why Exodus 20 is often referred to as the Decalogue, deka being the Greek word for “ten” and logos meaning “word.” These are the Ten Words that God gave the Israelites at Mount Sinai—and, I would argue, the Ten Words that God wants all of us to follow.

2. They show us who God is.

The law is an expression of the Lawgiver’s heart and character. We must think about that before we say, “I don’t care for laws,” or before we bristle at the thought of do’s and don’ts. The commandments not only show us what God wants; they show us what God is like. They say something about his honor, his worth, and his majesty. They tell us what matters to God. We can’t disdain the law without disrespecting the Lawgiver.

3. They set us apart from the world.

As Christians, we’re a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9). We must be prepared to stand alone, to look different, and to have rules the world doesn’t understand. Of course, we aren’t always the holy people we should be, but that’s what he has called us to be. That’s who we are. We’re God’s people, set apart to live according to God’s ways.

4. They don’t strip our freedom, but instead provide it.

We too often think of the Ten Commandments as constraining us—as if God’s ways will keep us in servitude and from realizing our dreams and reaching our potential. We forget that God means to give us abundant life (John 10:10) and true freedom (John 8:32). His laws, 1 John 5:3 tells us, aren’t burdensome.

The Ten Commandments aren’t instructions on how to get out of Egypt. They are rules for a free people to stay free.

God isn’t trying to crush us with red tape and regulations. The Ten Commandments aren’t prison bars, but traffic laws. Maybe there are some anarchists out there who think, The world would be a better place without any traffic laws . A few of us drive as if that were so! But even if you get impatient when you’re at a red light, try to zoom through the yellow, and turn left on a stale pink—overall, aren’t you glad that there is some semblance of law and order? People stop and go. People slow down when driving by schools. They stop for school buses. You wouldn’t be able to drive your car to the grocery store without laws. When you drive on a switchback on a mountain pass, do you curse the guard rails that keep you from plunging to an untimely death? No, someone put them there at great expense, and for our good, that we may travel about freely and safely.

5. They were not given so that we could earn our salvation.

Some people view Christianity as: God has rules, and if I follow the rules, God will love me and save me. That’s not what happened in the story of the exodus. The Israelites were an oppressed people, and God said, “I hear your cry. I will save you because I love you. And when you are saved, free, and forgiven, I’m going to give you a new way to live.”

Salvation isn’t the reward for obedience; salvation is the reason for obedience. Jesus doesn’t say, “If you obey my commandments, I will love you.” Instead, he first washes the feet of the disciples and then says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). All of our doing is only because of what he has first done for us.

6. They are more trustworthy than our intuition or cultural code.

We live in a paradoxical age where many will say, “Right and wrong is what you decide for yourself,” and yet these same people will rebuke others for violating any number of assumed commands. As a culture, we may be quite free and liberal when it comes to sex, but we can be absolutely fundamentalist when it comes to the moral claims of the sexual revolution. The old swear words may not scandalize us any longer, but now there are other words—offensive slurs and insults—that will quickly put someone out of polite company. We’re still a society with a moral code.

But the Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). The way to find moral instruction isn’t by listening to your gut but by listening to God. If we want to know right from wrong, if we want to know how to live the good life, if we want to know how to live in a way that blesses our friends and neighbors, we’d be wise to do things God’s way, which means paying careful attention to the Ten Commandments.

7. The church’s most important instruction has been based on them.

The church has historically put the Ten Commandments at the center of its teaching ministry, especially for children and new believers. For centuries, catechetical instruction was based on three things: the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments.

In other words, when people asked, “How do we do discipleship? How do we teach our kids about the Bible? What do new Christians need to know about Christianity?” their answers always included an emphasis on the Ten Commandments.

8. They are critical to our understanding of the rest of the Old Testament law.

While it’s true that the Bible doesn’t say to print the Ten Commandments in boldface, we shouldn’t undersell their special stature in ancient Israel. They came from God as he spoke to the people face-to-face (Deut. 5:1–5), and they came from Mount Sinai amid fire, cloud, thick darkness, and a loud voice (Deut. 5:22–27). Exodus 20 marks a literal and spiritual high point in the life of Israel. It’s no wonder the tablets of the law, along with the manna and Aaron’s staff, were placed inside the ark of the covenant (Heb. 9:4)

There are many more laws in the Old Testament. But these first ten are foundational for the rest. The Ten Commandments are like the constitution for Israel, and what follows are the regulatory statutes.

9. They are central to the ethics of the New Testament.

Think of Mark 10:17, for example. This is where the rich young ruler comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus says to him, “You know the commandments.” Then he lists the second table of the law, the commandments that relate to our neighbors: “Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother” (v. 19).

Jesus isn’t laying out a path for earning eternal life. We know from the rest of the story that Jesus is setting the young man up for a fall, because the one command he obviously hasn’t obeyed is the one command Jesus skips—do not covet (vv. 20–22). But it is noteworthy that when Jesus has to give a convenient summary of our neighborly duties, he goes straight to the Ten Commandments.

10. They are still relevant for Christians today.

Can we keep the commandments fully or perfectly? No. Do they serve to show us our sin and lead us to the cross? Absolutely. But the commandments also show us the way to live, the way to love our neighbor, and the way to love God with all our heart and soul.

We still need the Ten Words handed down at Sinai. Have they been changed in some respects by the coming of Christ? For sure—transformed but not trashed. We can no longer keep the Ten Commandments rightly unless we keep them in Christ, through Christ, and with a view to the all-surpassing greatness of Christ. As new creations in Christ, the law is not only our duty but also our delight. If we want to love Christ as he deserves and as he desires, we will keep his commandments (John 14:15).

Is there enough evidence for us to believe the Gospels?

Kevin DeYoung (PhD, University of Leicester) is senior pastor of Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina, and associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). He is the author of more than 20 books and a popular columnist, blogger, and podcaster. Kevin’s work can be found on clearlyreformed.org . Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

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Wanderlust and Lipstick

Travel tips and inspiration for women

The Ten Commandments of Travel

By Taylor Oddino

If the Ten Commandments of the Bible are essentially a summary of how to be a good person, then the Ten Commandments of Travel are a summary of how to be a good traveler. Various translations exist for the original Ten Commandments, and just the same there are various versions of the Ten Commandments of Travel. But take a look at this “translation” to get a good idea of how to make any travel adventure a great one!

More tips for travelers: Avoid Jet Lag | Don’t Look Like a Tourist | Your First International Trip

1) Thou Shalt Be Flexible

You might as well accept it now — your plans are indeed going to change. No matter how much you plan or research, your vacation just won’t look exactly like you think it’s going to. This is the nature of life, and it’s the nature of travel. Whether it be a delayed flight, a freeway closure or lost luggage, you’re going to have to adapt to challenges along the way by being flexible. Be ready to go with the flow — and have fun as you catch the waves!

2) Thou Shalt Be Open-minded

This isn’t Kansas anymore! Take a page out of Dorothy’s book: new things are coming your way, so be ready to explore, experience and learn. New foods, new places and new people are often what make travel so exciting.

3) Thou Shalt Have a Budget

It’s important to have a budget , a loose budget. Be mindful with money by creating a budget for your vacation. It’s probably a good idea to give yourself some wiggle room (a budget with a range rather than a flat number) — that way you’ll be happy if you come in on the lower end of your budget, but you won’t be upset if you spend a little more on the higher end. But the most important thing to remember when it comes to money on your vacation: don’t stress! Stressing about money will distract you and take away from your overall experience. If you put only your designated vacation money into your account then you won’t have to give it a second thought. Another tip — if you’re thinking about making a purchase, give yourself a limit and then stick to it. For example, if you want to take a boat tour on the Seattle waterfront, set a limit before you ask: “I’ll do it if the ticket is less than $40.” Then when you find out the actual cost, stick to your initial limit. And remember — don’t stress about money! It’s not worth it.

4) Remember to Talk to People

I know it can be hard to believe sometimes, but the world is full of good people. People and relationships make life a heck of a lot more interesting. So when you travel, take advantage of the new faces in your life. Talk to people, ask questions, hear different perspectives and share information about yourself. The richness that will come from engaging with others during your travels will enrich your trip and your life.

5) Honor thy Eyes, not thy Camera

Taking photos are a wonderful way to capture beautiful moments. So yes, take some photos on your vacation. But what’s even more important than capturing a special moment with your camera is capturing a special moment with your eyes. Don’t be stuck behind a lens the whole time. Exercise your mind and learn to take mental pictures. Look around and capture what’s around you, whether it be lush palm trees and coconuts, an astonishing skyscraper or a century-old church.

6) Thou Shalt Be Kind

The stresses of travel usually aren’t worth it. Is your plane delayed? Well then there’s nothing you can do about it. A lot of times there’s nothing you can do to change a particularly difficult situation — lost luggage, closed roadways, etc. — so don’t stress about it. Remember how to laugh! There’s a humorous side to everything and remember that laughter is always better than anger. Be kind no matter the situation, and give away smiles as often as possible. A little kindness goes a long way.

7) Thou Shalt Be Gracious

You’re in a foreign place and everything may just seem temporary to you, but you are in someone else’s home town. Always be gracious to the locals (whether it’s the owner of your hostel in Fiji or the hotel clerk at a Holiday Inn in Cincinnati) and thank them for helping you on your journey.

8) Thou Shalt Trust Your Instincts

It’s true — sometimes the GPS is wrong. Learn how to listen to that voice inside your head. That voice inside your head will help you stay safe and stay smart. If you have a good feeling about something, then go for it! If you have a bad feeling about something, then trust that intuition and choose a different path.

9) Thou Shalt Plan Ahead

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead. Even if you want to keep a pretty wide-open schedule so you have plenty of room for adventure, still take the time to plan out the big things. Hotel accommodations, major historical sites, health and safety risks, and other big-picture things should be researched and planned ahead of time to make your trip more enjoyable and stress-free. Read more on research and planning vacations here.

10) Thou Shalt Leave a Place Better than You Found it

Leave a place better than you found it (pick up trash, donate to a homeless person who really looks like they could use it, buy someone a coffee in line at the cafe you’re trying out, etc.). The opportunity to travel is a major blessing, so show your thankfulness by making every place you visit a better place.

Photo credits: Spread Your Wings: EladeManu via Flickr Sevilla Tourists: Eddy Van 3000 via Flickr Tourist Shopping: Michael Kmak via Flickr Summer in Lisbon: Pedro Ribeiro Simµes via Flickr Taking in View: Carlos ZGZ via Flickr Woman on White Sand Beach: Alessandro Caproni via flickr Tourist with Local: Gareth Williams via Flickr Vancouver Outdoors: Ruth Hartnup via Flickr Tourist with Map: Jean-François Gornet via Flickr Woman Throwing Trash: Sascha Kohlmann via Flickr

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The Ten Commandments

1 And God spoke all these words :

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12 Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

13 You shall not murder.

14 You shall not commit adultery.

15 You shall not steal.

16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you , so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

Idols and Altars

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me ; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

24 “ ‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.’

10 Things You Should Know about the Ten Commandments

This article is part of the 10 Things You Should Know series.

1. Moses never actually refers to them as the “ten commandments.”

Exodus 20:1–2 introduces one of the most famous sections in the Bible—indeed, one of the most important pieces of religious literature in the whole world—the Ten Commandments. Oddly enough, they are never actually called the Ten Commandments.

The Hebrew expression, which occurs three times in the Old Testament (Ex. 34:28; Deut. 4:13; 10:4), literally means “ten words.” This is why Exodus 20 is often referred to as the Decalogue, deka being the Greek word for “ten” and logos meaning “word.” These are the Ten Words that God gave the Israelites at Mount Sinai—and, I would argue, the Ten Words that God wants all of us to follow.

2. They show us who God is.

The law is an expression of the Lawgiver’s heart and character. We must think about that before we say, “I don’t care for laws,” or before we bristle at the thought of do’s and don’ts. The commandments not only show us what God wants; they show us what God is like. They say something about his honor, his worth, and his majesty. They tell us what matters to God. We can’t disdain the law without disrespecting the Lawgiver.

3. They set us apart from the world.

As Christians, we are a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9). We must be prepared to stand alone, to look different, and to have rules the world doesn’t understand. Of course, we aren’t always the holy people we should be, but that’s what he has called us to be. That’s who we are. We are God’s people, set apart to live according to God’s ways.

4. They don’t strip our freedom, but instead provide it.

We too often think of the Ten Commandments as constraining us—as if God’s ways will keep us in servitude and from realizing our dreams and reaching our potential. We forget that God means to give us abundant life (John 10:10) and true freedom (John 8:32). His laws, 1 John 5:3 tells us, are not burdensome.

God is not trying to crush us with red tape and regulations. The Ten Commandments are not prison bars, but traffic laws. Maybe there are some anarchists out there who think, “The world would be a better place without any traffic laws.” A few of us drive as if that were so! But even if you get impatient when you’re at a red light, try to zoom through the yellow, and turn left on a very stale pink—overall, aren’t you glad that there is some semblance of law and order? People stop and go. People slow down when driving by schools. They stop for school buses. You wouldn’t be able to drive your car to the grocery store without laws. When you drive on a switchback on a mountain pass, do you curse the guard rails that keep you from plunging to an untimely death? No, someone put them there at great expense, and for our good, that we may travel about freely and safely.

The Ten Commandments are not instructions on how to get out of Egypt. They are rules for a free people to stay free.

We are God’s people, set apart to live according to God’s ways.

5. They were not given so that we could earn our salvation.

Some people view Christianity as: God has rules, and if I follow the rules, God will love me and save me. That’s not what happened in the story of the exodus. The Israelites were an oppressed people, and God said, “I hear your cry. I will save you because I love you. And when you are saved, free, and forgiven, I’m going to give you a new way to live.”

Salvation is not the reward for obedience; salvation is the reason for obedience. Jesus does not say, “If you obey my commandments, I will love you.” Instead, he first washes the feet of the disciples and then says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). All of our doing is only because of what he has first done for us.

6. They are more trustworthy than our intuition or cultural code.

We live in a paradoxical age where many will say, “Right and wrong is what you decide for yourself,” and yet these same people will rebuke others for violating any number of assumed commands. As a culture, we may be quite free and liberal when it comes to sex, but we can be absolutely fundamentalist when it comes to the moral claims of the sexual revolution. The old swear words may not scandalize us any longer, but now there are other words—offensive slurs and insults—that will quickly put someone out of polite company. We are still a society with a moral code.

But, the Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10). The way to find moral instruction is not by listening to your gut but by listening to God. If we want to know right from wrong, if we want to know how to live the good life, if we want to know how to live in a way that blesses our friends and neighbors, we’d be wise to do things God’s way, which means paying careful attention to the Ten Commandments.

7. The church’s most important instruction has been based on them.

The church has historically put the Ten Commandments at the center of its teaching ministry, especially for children and new believers. For centuries, catechetical instruction was based on three things: the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments.

In other words, when people asked, “How do we do discipleship? How do we teach our kids about the Bible? What do new Christians need to know about Christianity?” their answers always included an emphasis on the Ten Commandments.

8.They are critical to our understanding of the rest of the Old Testament law.

While it’s true that the Bible doesn’t say to print the Ten Commandments in boldface, we shouldn’t undersell their special stature in ancient Israel. They came from God as he spoke to the people face-to-face (Deut. 5:1–5), and they came from Mount Sinai amidst fire, cloud, thick darkness, and a loud voice (Deut. 5:22–27). Exodus 20 marks a literal and spiritual high point in the life of Israel. It’s no wonder the tablets of the law, along with the manna and Aaron’s staff, were placed inside the ark of the covenant (Heb. 9:4)

There are many more laws in the Old Testament. But these first ten are foundational for the rest. The Ten Commandments are like the constitution for Israel, and what follows are the regulatory statutes.

The Ten Commandments

Kevin deyoung.

Pastor and best-selling author Kevin DeYoung delivers critical truth about the Ten Commandments as he explains what they are, why we should know them, and how we should apply them today.

9. They are central to the ethics of the New Testament.

Think of Mark 10:17, for example. This is where the rich young ruler comes to Jesus and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus says to him, “You know the commandments.” Then he lists the second table of the law, the commandments that relate to our neighbors: “Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother” (v. 19).

Jesus isn’t laying out a path for earning eternal life. We know from the rest of the story that Jesus is setting the young man up for a fall, because the one command he obviously hasn’t obeyed is the one command Jesus skips—do not covet (vv. 20–22). But it is noteworthy that when Jesus has to give a convenient summary of our neighborly duties, he goes straight to the Ten Commandments.

10. They are still relevant for Christians today.

Can we keep the commandments fully or perfectly? No. Do they serve to show us our sin and lead us to the cross? Absolutely. But the commandments also show us the way to live, the way to love our neighbor, and the way to love God with all our heart and soul.

We still need the Ten Words handed down at Sinai. Have they been changed in some respects by the coming of Christ? For sure—transformed but not trashed. We can no longer keep the Ten Commandments rightly unless we keep them in Christ, through Christ, and with a view to the all-surpassing greatness of Christ. As new creations in Christ, the law is not only our duty but also our delight. If we want to love Christ as he deserves and as he desires, we will keep his commandments (John 14:15).

Kevin DeYoung  (PhD, University of Leicester) is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, North Carolina, and associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte. He has written books for children, adults, and academics, including  Just Do Something ;  Impossible Christianity ; and  The Biggest Story Bible Storybook . Kevin’s work can be found on  clearlyreformed.org . Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

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Exodus 20 New International Version

The ten commandments ( a ).

20  And God spoke ( B ) all these words: ( C )

2  “I am the Lord your God, ( D ) who brought you out ( E ) of Egypt, ( F ) out of the land of slavery. ( G )

3  “You shall have no other gods before [ a ] me. ( H )

4  “You shall not make for yourself an image ( I ) in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5  You shall not bow down to them or worship ( J ) them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, ( K ) punishing the children for the sin of the parents ( L ) to the third and fourth generation ( M ) of those who hate me, 6  but showing love to a thousand ( N ) generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7  “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. ( O )

8  “Remember the Sabbath ( P ) day by keeping it holy. 9  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ( Q ) 10  but the seventh day is a sabbath ( R ) to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, ( S ) the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested ( T ) on the seventh day. ( U ) Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

12  “Honor your father and your mother, ( V ) so that you may live long ( W ) in the land ( X ) the Lord your God is giving you.

13  “You shall not murder. ( Y )

14  “You shall not commit adultery. ( Z )

15  “You shall not steal. ( AA )

16  “You shall not give false testimony ( AB ) against your neighbor. ( AC )

17  “You shall not covet ( AD ) your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

18  When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet ( AE ) and saw the mountain in smoke, ( AF ) they trembled with fear. ( AG ) They stayed at a distance 19  and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak ( AH ) to us or we will die.” ( AI )

20  Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. ( AJ ) God has come to test ( AK ) you, so that the fear ( AL ) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” ( AM )

21  The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness ( AN ) where God was.

Idols and Altars

22  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: ( AO ) 23  Do not make any gods to be alongside me; ( AP ) do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. ( AQ )

24  “‘Make an altar ( AR ) of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings ( AS ) and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name ( AT ) to be honored, I will come to you and bless ( AU ) you. 25  If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool ( AV ) on it. 26  And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts ( AW ) may be exposed.’

• Exodus 20:3 Or besides

Cross references

• Exodus 20:1 : 20:1-17pp — Dt 5:6-21
• Exodus 20:1 : Dt 10:4
• Exodus 20:1 : Ne 9:13; Ps 119:9; 147:19; Mal 4:4
• Exodus 20:2 : S Ge 17:7; Ex 16:12; Lev 19:2; 20:7; Isa 43:3; Eze 20:19
• Exodus 20:2 : S Ge 15:7
• Exodus 20:2 : S Ex 6:6
• Exodus 20:2 : Ex 13:3; Eze 20:6
• Exodus 20:3 : ver 23; Ex 34:14; Dt 6:14; 13:10; 2Ki 17:35; Ps 44:20; 81:9; Jer 1:16; 7:6, 9; 11:13; 19:4; 25:6; 35:15
• Exodus 20:4 : ver 5, 23; Ex 32:8; 34:17; Lev 19:4; 26:1; Dt 4:15-19, 23; 27:15; 2Sa 7:22; 1Ki 14:9; 2Ki 17:12; Isa 40:19; 42:8; 44:9
• Exodus 20:5 : Ex 23:13, 24; Jos 23:7; Jdg 6:10; 2Ki 17:35; Isa 44:15, 17, 19; 46:6
• Exodus 20:5 : Ex 34:14; Dt 4:24; Jos 24:19; Na 1:2
• Exodus 20:5 : S Ge 9:25; S Lev 26:39
• Exodus 20:5 : Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; Jer 32:18
• Exodus 20:6 : Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; Dt 7:9; Jer 32:18; Lk 1:50; Ro 11:28
• Exodus 20:7 : Ex 22:28; Lev 18:21; 19:12; 22:2; 24:11, 16; Dt 6:13; 10:20; Job 2:5, 9; Ps 63:11; Isa 8:21; Eze 20:39; 39:7; S Mt 5:33
• Exodus 20:8 : S Ex 16:23; 31:13-16; 35:3; Lev 19:3, 30; 26:2; Isa 56:2; Jer 17:21-27; Eze 22:8
• Exodus 20:9 : Ex 23:12; 31:13-17; 34:21; 35:2-3; Lev 23:3; Lk 13:14
• Exodus 20:10 : S Ge 2:3; Ex 31:14; Lev 23:38; Nu 28:9; Isa 56:2; Eze 20:12, 20
• Exodus 20:11 : Ge 1:3-2:1
• Exodus 20:11 : S Ge 2:2
• Exodus 20:11 : Ex 31:17; Heb 4:4
• Exodus 20:12 : S Ge 31:35; S Dt 5:16; Mt 15:4*; 19:19*; Mk 7:10*; 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Eph 6:2
• Exodus 20:12 : Dt 6:2; Eph 6:3
• Exodus 20:12 : Dt 11:9; 25:15; Jer 35:7
• Exodus 20:13 : S Ge 4:23; Mt 5:21*; 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*; Jas 2:11*
• Exodus 20:14 : Lev 18:20; 20:10; Nu 5:12, 13, 29; Pr 6:29, 32; Mt 5:27*; 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*; Jas 2:11*
• Exodus 20:15 : Lev 19:11, 13; Eze 18:7; Mt 19:18*; Mk 10:19*; Lk 18:20*; Ro 13:9*
• Exodus 20:16 : Lev 19:11; Jer 9:3, 5
• Exodus 20:16 : Ex 23:1, 7; Lev 19:18; Ps 50:20; 101:5; 119:29; Mt 19:18*; Mk 10:19; Lk 3:14*; 18:20*
• Exodus 20:17 : Lk 12:15; Ro 7:7*; 13:9*; Eph 5:3; Heb 13:5
• Exodus 20:18 : Ex 19:16-19; Dt 4:36; Isa 58:1; Jer 6:17; Eze 33:3; Heb 12:18-19; Rev 1:10
• Exodus 20:18 : S Ex 19:18
• Exodus 20:18 : S Ge 3:10; S Ex 14:31; S 19:16
• Exodus 20:19 : Job 37:4, 5; 40:9; Ps 29:3-4
• Exodus 20:19 : Dt 5:5, 23-27; 18:16; Gal 3:19
• Exodus 20:20 : S Ge 15:1
• Exodus 20:20 : S Ge 22:1
• Exodus 20:20 : Dt 4:10; 6:2, 24; 10:12; Ps 111:10; 128:1; Pr 1:7; Ecc 12:13; Isa 8:13
• Exodus 20:20 : Job 1:8; 2:3; 28:28; Pr 3:7; 8:13; 14:16; 16:6
• Exodus 20:21 : S Ex 19:9; Dt 5:22; Ps 18:9; 68:4; 97:2; Isa 19:1
• Exodus 20:22 : Dt 5:24, 26; Ne 9:13
• Exodus 20:23 : S ver 3
• Exodus 20:23 : Ex 22:20; 32:4, 8, 31; 34:17; Dt 29:17-18; Ne 9:18
• Exodus 20:24 : Ex 27:1; 40:29; Nu 16:38; Dt 27:5; Jos 8:30; 2Ki 16:14; 2Ch 4:1; Ezr 3:2; Eze 43:13
• Exodus 20:24 : S Ge 8:20; S Ex 18:12
• Exodus 20:24 : Dt 12:5; 16:6, 11; 26:2; 1Ki 9:3; 2Ki 21:4, 7; 2Ch 6:6; 12:13; Ezr 6:12
• Exodus 20:24 : S Ge 12:2; 22:17
• Exodus 20:25 : Jos 8:31; 1Ki 6:7
• Exodus 20:26 : Eze 43:17

Leviticus 19 New International Version

Various laws.

19  The Lord said to Moses, 2  “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel ( A ) and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, ( B ) am holy. ( C )

3  “‘Each of you must respect your mother and father, ( D ) and you must observe my Sabbaths. ( E ) I am the Lord your God. ( F )

4  “‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. ( G ) I am the Lord your God. ( H )

5  “‘When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to the Lord , sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. 6  It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up. ( I ) 7  If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted. ( J ) 8  Whoever eats it will be held responsible ( K ) because they have desecrated what is holy ( L ) to the Lord ; they must be cut off from their people. ( M )

9  “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges ( N ) of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ( O ) 10  Do not go over your vineyard a second time ( P ) or pick up the grapes that have fallen. ( Q ) Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. ( R ) I am the Lord your God.

11  “‘Do not steal. ( S )

“‘Do not lie. ( T )

“‘Do not deceive one another. ( U )

12  “‘Do not swear falsely ( V ) by my name ( W ) and so profane ( X ) the name of your God. I am the Lord .

13  “‘Do not defraud or rob ( Y ) your neighbor. ( Z )

“‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker ( AA ) overnight. ( AB )

14  “‘Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, ( AC ) but fear your God. ( AD ) I am the Lord .

15  “‘Do not pervert justice; ( AE ) do not show partiality ( AF ) to the poor or favoritism to the great, ( AG ) but judge your neighbor fairly. ( AH )

16  “‘Do not go about spreading slander ( AI ) among your people.

“‘Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. ( AJ ) I am the Lord .

17  “‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. ( AK ) Rebuke your neighbor frankly ( AL ) so you will not share in their guilt.

18  “‘Do not seek revenge ( AM ) or bear a grudge ( AN ) against anyone among your people, ( AO ) but love your neighbor ( AP ) as yourself. ( AQ ) I am the Lord .

19  “‘Keep my decrees. ( AR )

“‘Do not mate different kinds of animals.

“‘Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. ( AS )

“‘Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material. ( AT )

20  “‘If a man sleeps with a female slave who is promised to another man ( AU ) but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. [ a ] Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. 21  The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the tent of meeting for a guilt offering to the Lord . ( AV ) 22  With the ram of the guilt offering the priest is to make atonement for him before the Lord for the sin he has committed, and his sin will be forgiven. ( AW )

23  “‘When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. [ b ] For three years you are to consider it forbidden [ c ] ; it must not be eaten. 24  In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, ( AX ) an offering of praise to the Lord . 25  But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.

26  “‘Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. ( AY )

“‘Do not practice divination ( AZ ) or seek omens. ( BA )

27  “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. ( BB )

28  “‘Do not cut ( BC ) your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord .

29  “‘Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, ( BD ) or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness. ( BE )

30  “‘Observe my Sabbaths ( BF ) and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am the Lord . ( BG )

31  “‘Do not turn to mediums ( BH ) or seek out spiritists, ( BI ) for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

32  “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect ( BJ ) for the elderly ( BK ) and revere your God. ( BL ) I am the Lord . ( BM )

33  “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. 34  The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. ( BN ) Love them as yourself, ( BO ) for you were foreigners ( BP ) in Egypt. ( BQ ) I am the Lord your God.

35  “‘Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. ( BR ) 36  Use honest scales ( BS ) and honest weights, an honest ephah [ d ] ( BT ) and an honest hin. [ e ] ( BU ) I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. ( BV )

37  “‘Keep all my decrees ( BW ) and all my laws ( BX ) and follow them. I am the Lord .’”

• Leviticus 19:20 Or be an inquiry
• Leviticus 19:23 Hebrew uncircumcised
• Leviticus 19:36 An ephah was a dry measure having the capacity of about 3/5 of a bushel or about 22 liters.
• Leviticus 19:36 A hin was a liquid measure having the capacity of about 1 gallon or about 3.8 liters.
• Leviticus 19:2 : Nu 14:5; Ps 68:26
• Leviticus 19:2 : S Ex 20:2
• Leviticus 19:2 : S Ex 15:11; 1Pe 1:16*; S Lev 11:44; S 20:26
• Leviticus 19:3 : Ex 20:12
• Leviticus 19:3 : S Ex 20:8
• Leviticus 19:3 : Lev 11:44
• Leviticus 19:4 : S Ex 20:4; Jdg 17:3; Ps 96:5; 115:4-7; 135:15
• Leviticus 19:4 : Lev 11:44
• Leviticus 19:6 : Lev 7:16-17
• Leviticus 19:7 : Lev 7:18
• Leviticus 19:8 : S Lev 5:1
• Leviticus 19:8 : Lev 22:2, 15, 16; Nu 18:32
• Leviticus 19:8 : S Ge 17:14
• Leviticus 19:9 : Ru 2:2, 3, 7, 16, 17
• Leviticus 19:9 : Lev 23:10, 22; Dt 24:19-22; Job 24:10
• Leviticus 19:10 : Dt 24:20
• Leviticus 19:10 : ver 9
• Leviticus 19:10 : Dt 24:19, 21
• Leviticus 19:11 : Ex 20:15; S 23:4; Lk 3:14
• Leviticus 19:11 : S Ex 20:16; S Eph 4:25
• Leviticus 19:11 : S Lev 6:2
• Leviticus 19:12 : Jer 5:2; 7:9; Mal 3:5
• Leviticus 19:12 : Ex 3:13; 20:7; Dt 18:19; Pr 18:10; Isa 42:8; Jer 44:16, 26; S Mt 5:33
• Leviticus 19:12 : Jer 34:16
• Leviticus 19:13 : S Ex 20:15
• Leviticus 19:13 : Lev 25:14, 17; S Ex 22:15, 25-27
• Leviticus 19:13 : Job 7:2; 24:12; 31:39; Isa 16:14; Mal 3:5
• Leviticus 19:13 : Dt 24:15; Jer 22:13; Mt 20:8; 1Ti 5:18; Jas 5:4
• Leviticus 19:14 : S Ex 4:11; Lev 21:18; Dt 27:18
• Leviticus 19:14 : ver 32; Lev 25:17, 36
• Leviticus 19:15 : S Ex 23:2; Ex 23:2, 6
• Leviticus 19:15 : Dt 24:17; Job 13:8, 10; 32:21; Pr 28:21
• Leviticus 19:15 : Job 34:19
• Leviticus 19:15 : S Ex 23:8; Pr 24:23; Mal 2:9; Jas 2:1-4
• Leviticus 19:16 : Ps 15:3; 31:13; 41:6; 101:5; Jer 6:28; 9:4; Eze 22:9
• Leviticus 19:16 : Ex 23:7; Dt 10:17; 27:25; Ps 15:5; Eze 22:12
• Leviticus 19:17 : S 1Jn 2:9
• Leviticus 19:17 : S Mt 18:15
• Leviticus 19:18 : S Ge 4:23; Ro 12:19; Heb 10:30
• Leviticus 19:18 : Ps 103:9
• Leviticus 19:18 : S Ex 12:48
• Leviticus 19:18 : S Ex 20:16
• Leviticus 19:18 : ver 34; S Mt 5:43*; 19:16*; 22:39*; Mk 12:31*; Lk 10:27*; Jn 13:34; Ro 13:9*; Gal 5:14*; Jas 2:8*
• Leviticus 19:19 : S Ge 26:5
• Leviticus 19:19 : Dt 22:9
• Leviticus 19:19 : Dt 22:11
• Leviticus 19:20 : Dt 22:23-27
• Leviticus 19:21 : S Lev 5:15
• Leviticus 19:22 : S Lev 5:15
• Leviticus 19:24 : S Ex 22:29
• Leviticus 19:26 : S Ge 9:4
• Leviticus 19:26 : S Ge 30:27; S Isa 44:25
• Leviticus 19:26 : S Ex 22:18; 2Ki 17:17
• Leviticus 19:27 : Lev 21:5; Dt 14:1; 2Sa 10:4-5; Jer 41:5; 48:37; Eze 5:1-5
• Leviticus 19:28 : Lev 21:5; Dt 14:1; 1Ki 18:28; Jer 16:6; 41:5; 47:5
• Leviticus 19:29 : Lev 21:9; Dt 23:18
• Leviticus 19:29 : Ge 34:7; Lev 21:9
• Leviticus 19:30 : S Ex 20:8
• Leviticus 19:30 : Lev 26:2
• Leviticus 19:31 : S Ex 22:18; 1Sa 28:7-20; 1Ch 10:13
• Leviticus 19:31 : Lev 20:6; 2Ki 21:6; 23:24; Isa 8:19; 19:3; 29:4; 47:12; 65:4
• Leviticus 19:32 : 1Ki 12:8
• Leviticus 19:32 : Job 32:4; Pr 23:22; La 5:12; 1Ti 5:1
• Leviticus 19:32 : S ver 14; Job 29:8
• Leviticus 19:32 : Lev 11:44; 25:17
• Leviticus 19:34 : S Ex 12:48
• Leviticus 19:34 : S ver 18
• Leviticus 19:34 : S Ex 22:21
• Leviticus 19:34 : Ex 23:9; Dt 10:19; 23:7; Ps 146:9
• Leviticus 19:35 : Dt 25:13-16
• Leviticus 19:36 : Job 31:6; Pr 11:1; Hos 12:7; Mic 6:11
• Leviticus 19:36 : Jdg 6:19; Ru 2:17; 1Sa 1:24; 17:17; Eze 45:10
• Leviticus 19:36 : Dt 25:13-15; Pr 20:10; Eze 45:11
• Leviticus 19:36 : S Ex 12:17
• Leviticus 19:37 : 2Ki 17:37; 2Ch 7:17; Ps 119:5; Eze 18:9
• Leviticus 19:37 : S Ge 26:5

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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Ten Commandments List

The Ten Commandments were written by God upon two tablets of stone and then given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The record of the Ten Commandments can be found in the Bible, both in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. [Watch 10 Commandments video below]

Ten Commandments list & meaning

• You shall have no other gods before Me.
• You shall make no idols.
• You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
• Keep the Sabbath day holy.
• Honor your father and your mother.
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery.
• You shall not steal.
• You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
• You shall not covet.

Browse article sections:

10 commandments video.

• 10 Commandments explanation
• 10 Commandments KJV

Video by Reasonar.com 1:30 min.

Ten Commandments meaning

1. you shall have no other gods before me.

Explanation: Do we still need this commandment? We certainly do. Whatever holds the supreme place in a person’s life is a god.

The story is told that in a certain museum in China there was an exhibit called "The American God." And what do you suppose it was? A dollar bill, neatly framed.

It is strange how modern men turn away from the living God, who is revealed in nature and the Bible, and invent imaginary gods to fit their unbelieving hearts.

In his book, God and the Cosmos , Dr. Theodore Graebner tells us that some who set themselves up as teachers–many even as religious teachers–say that God is merely “the spirit of the community” (Page 30). One of these modern leaders says, “God is myself” (Page 23). Another says that he worships man (Page 19).

How would you like to pray to "the spirit of the community" or pray to yourself or to mankind in general? These are some of the false gods proclaimed by the wise men of today.

Some worship pleasure; others, reason, philosophy, or business. But all these things are as imperfect as humans themselves, and those who trust in them will be left at last without a light in the vacant and dark night, until the words of the first commandment meet them in the judgment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”

2. You shall make no idols

Explanation : Is there anything wrong with this commandment? Millions in the world need to hear this commandment. Jesus said in John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

All representations of the true God or false deities for the purpose of worship are forbidden. An idol image degrades God and it degrades man. God's jealousy against false gods is but infinite love which allows no rival for our heart's affection.

3. You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain

Explanation: Has the world advanced so far that we do not need this commandment any more? Has all profanity ceased? Have men–and women and children, too–ceased to take God’s name in vain? Have they at last learned to honor the holy name of our Saviour?

How many millions violate this commandment every day! And how many do about the same thing with common slang! Let us remember what Jesus said to some careless talkers of His day.

It is recorded in Matthew 12:36, 37, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

4. Keep the Sabbath day holy

Explanation: We seem to always be busy and need physical rest and spiritual rest. We need the Sabbath or God would not have made it for us. Jesus said that it was “made for man” and that He Himself is the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27, 28).

The Sabbath is the memorial of His creative work, and it is also a test of man’s willingness to recognize his Creator’s first claim to his time. Wherever we are and whether we regard God’s holy day or not the commandment is still there. Do you recognize and observe it in your home?

5. Honor your father and your mother

Explanation: In Ephesians 6:2, the apostle Paul says that this is “the first commandment with promise” and God will not go back on His promise. Children owe their parents love, obedience, respect, and helpfulness.

Think of the happiness that obedience to this commandment would bring to thousands of homes today! Then every day would be Mother’s Day and every day would be Father’s Day. So, "honor your father and mother.” Disobedience to parents is one of the ominous signs of the last days, according to 2 Timothy 3:1, 2.

6. You shall not murder

Explanation: This is the shortest of all the commandments, having one less word than the eighth commandment. (Note: according to the King James Version.) God forbids murder, the unlawful taking of human life in private vengance or otherwise.

Do you know that there are many thousands who have broken this commandment living at large in this country. And judging from past records, many thousands who will die at the hands of others.

Crime has become a huge threat to civilization. From the first groan of Abel to the last prayer upon the scaffold, this commandment comes thundering into the hearts of men, “Thou shall not murder.”

7. You shall not commit adultery

Explanation: Do we need a greater regard for the sanctity of the home today? Do we need more honest obedience to marriage vows? Do we need more husbands and wives true to each other? What is the answer? You know the answer. It is YES! A thousand times yes!

In Luke 17:30, our Saviour predicted that a Sodom-like moral condition would precede His return to this earth. Now is the time for every Christian home to stand as an example of right living.

Remember, you can't write SIN in big letters without the law of God. This seventh commandment must stand, or our civilization will go down in disregarding it. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”

8. You shall not steal

Explanation: According to police and press reports, the world still needs this commandment. The varieties of thieves are almost endless ranging from mere pickpockets and purse-snatchers, to men who steal widows' homes, children’s education, banks, industries, and the good names of their friends.

Facing all this dishonesty of men are these four words of God… “You shall not steal.”

9. You shall not bear false witness

Explanation: This commandment forbids bribery and forgery and even the least suggestion contrary to truth. It forbids libel, slander, and backbiting, and calls for the truth and nothing but the truth.

In Revelation 22:15, we are told that “whoever loves and practices a lie” will be outside the gates of the New Jerusalem, and in Revelation 21:27 “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

10. You shall not covet

Explanation: In Romans 7:7 the apostle Paul says that he would not have known what sin was, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” God's commandments point out sin. If Paul needed this commandment, so do we.

Why should you care?

The reason why some people oppose the Ten Commandments is that their lives are out of harmony with God's will as expressed in them. Paul says in Romans 7:12 that “the commandment is holy, and just, and good.” And in verse 14 he says that it is spiritual.

You see, our obligations are not merely to a law, but to Him who enacted that law. God is good, so His commandments are also good. The evil is in us, not in God or in His commandments.

Ten Commandments: King James Version

God's Law , the Ten Commandments, is expressed in Exodus 20:2-17 (KJV) with the following:

“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

2.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

3.  Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

4.  Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5.  Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

6.  Thou shalt not kill.

7.  Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8.  Thou shalt not steal.

9.  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

10.  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s."

Author Unknown

Regarding Travel:

Thou shalt not expect to find all things precisely as they are at home.  Thou has left home to find things different.

Thou shalt travel in a spirit of utter humility.  The fact that people may think, speak and act differently does not make them inferior.

Thou shalt not let thy travel companions get on thy nerves, for thou art paying good money for this experience.

Thou shalt not worry about things at home while thou art away, for he or she that worrieth hath little joy.

Thou shalt not judge all people of a city or a country by one person with whom thou hast had a problem.

Thou shalt remember that endless waiting lines, delays, cancellations and bad food are a part of traveling, and thou shalt smile and not complain.

Thou shalt not expect or demand that everyone speak English.

Thou shalt carry thy passport on thy person only when necessary, for it is a valuable document and prime target for thieves. When in possession of said document, it shalt be hidden under thy clothing; it shalt not be carried in purse, pocket or backpack.

Thou shalt not litter or in any way spoil the places thou shalt visit. Take away only thy memories; leave behind only thy smile.

Thou shalt not make promises  to the people you meet unless thou can follow through.

Do you have any commandments to add to this list?

12 comments.

Agree with all, except the passport one. You should always have it with you, carried safely, when in a foreign country. In many countries this is required by law, but you will also find you may need it when using a credit card, or when exchanging money, as your drivers license is probably irrelevant as a form of ID.

There are exceptions of course, some countries it is not needed. But better to get into the habit of always having it with you and knowing where it is at all times.

That’s a fair point. I usually always carry photocopies on me and keep it in a safe in the hotel room – one of my friends was robbed overseas and it was a huge pain to have her passport re-issued. You’re totally right though that drivers license is an irrelevant form of ID in most other countries – we learnt that the hard way trying to get into clubs in the UK!

I guess it’s all about striking the balance depending on which country you’re in :)

These are cute! But the English kept distracting me.. shalt? Thy? I like casual English better, haha.

Lol I agree! … and it’s surprisingly difficult to write consistently in old English!

These are 10 fantastic commandments of travel. I totally agree with them and am particularly fond of number 7. We English-speakers tend to expect the world to speak our language but in many ways that just defeats the purpose of travel!

Completely agree! I feel so ignorant and often embarassed when I have to ask if people speak English in their own country. But I do enjoy a good game of sign language charades :D!

Love it, couldn’t agree more.

Thanks Kirsty! Thanks for stopping by!

Haha. Love number three. Though often easier said than done.

Definitely easier said than done! Even though my travel companion is the best in the world, we still manage to get on each other’s nerves from time to time!! Lol hard not to I guess when you’re with someone 24/7 – travel definitely has the ability to make or break a relationship!

I like your list> We could definitely travel together. I did a similar Ten Commandments of Travel List a few years ago when I wrote for Examiner. If you;re interested, here’s mine: http://www.examiner.com/article/travelers-ten-commandments

Thanks Carole! Love your list as well – I can’t believe someone refused to get in a line because of foreigners – you’re TRAVELING! Lol people never cease to amaze!

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The Ten Commandments

Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery. Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery. Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.

• Cecil B. DeMille
• Dorothy Clarke Wilson
• J.H. Ingraham
• A.E. Southon
• Charlton Heston
• Yul Brynner
• Anne Baxter
• 362 User reviews
• 74 Critic reviews
• 12 wins & 12 nominations total

• (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Did you know

• Trivia At least 14,000 extras and 15,000 animals were used in this movie.
• Goofs When Bithia brings Moses out of the Nile, an obvious zipper runs up the back of her dress.

Moses : Let my people go!

• Crazy credits This film ends with the line: "So it was written, so it shall be done."
• Alternate versions In all of the film's theatrical releases, Cecil B. DeMille appears in a short prologue in which he prepares the audience for what they will see, including the fact that the picture will concentrate heavily on the early years of Moses before he led the Hebrews out of Egypt; he also indicates the length of the film and the fact that it will be shown with an intermission. This prologue has always been cut in the film's network television showings.
• Connections Edited into Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
• Soundtracks Chant of Priest and Priestesses (uncredited) Music by Elmer Bernstein Lyrics by Henry Noerdlinger

User reviews 362

• qazifaisal_a
• Apr 7, 2000
• Does the film advocate civil rights?
• What are the names of Jethro's other five daughters?
• How did they get Anne Baxter's nipples on-screen in that era?? Didn't they have a Hays Code firmly in place?? Circa 7:45, Anne Baxter is wearing a peacock-blue dress. It is voile and see-through in parts, like on her breasts, her nipples are clearly visible. Why isn't this blurred on ABC showing? I thought it was against the F.C.C. rules?
• October 5, 1956 (United States)
• United States
• Prince of Egypt
• Ras Safsafa, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt (Mount Sinai)
• Motion Picture Associates (II)
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $13,282,712 (estimated)
• $65,500,000
• $65,500,755

Technical specs

• Runtime 3 hours 40 minutes

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Where Were ‘The Ten Commandments’ Filmed?

The Ten Commandments is a biblical film which was released in 1956. The nearly four hour epic follows the life of Moses, who eventually presented the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. The movie was directed by Cecil B. DeMille, is extremely popular and is commonly referred to as one of the most popular chronicles of biblical history. That is, other than the more recent popular show, The Chosen . The ambitious film even had impressive filming locations that broke records and provided a more historically accurate portrayal. The special effects and theatrical dialogue of The Ten Commandments are a big part of its appeal, but the visual story is the most compelling aspect of the religious film . Travelers may be surprised to discover where The Ten Commandments was filmed. Explore the filming destinations of The Ten Commandments while exploring the journey of Moses. 

Guadalupe, California 

• Key Scenes: City of Pharaohs set 
• Best Time to Visit: December to May for best weather
• Transportation Options: Amtrak train or local buses

Guadalupe, California is a major filming location for the movie. In fact, it is where most of The Ten Commandments was filmed. The dunes of Guadalupe served as the grounds for the largest set in movie history. The set spanned 720 X 120 feet (10 acres) and created a realistic and immersive setting for the narrative. The City of the Pharaoh was the name of the set that was built by the film’s production team. Guadalupe open hilly land served as the perfect backdrop for the large set that was larger than life. 

Travelers can technically still view the Guadalupe set of The Ten Commandments . After filming ended around the 1920s, the set was dismantled and buried in the dunes. Almost 70 years later, in 1983, some film fans found the buried set. Since then, archeologists have unearthed the set. Now, the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center has exhibits that feature artifacts from the once-concealed remains of the massive film set. For travelers who want to discover the cultural history of the area and learn more about the momentous film, visiting the center is a great way to spend their time. 

Things to Do: The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, Rancho Guadalupe Dunes Preserve and Oso Flaco Lake are the most popular nature attractions in Guadalupe .

Where to Eat: Jocko’s Steak House, The Hitching Post, The Swiss Restaurant and Cool Hand Luke are the top rated restaurants in Guadalupe, California . 

Where to Stay: There are plenty of rustic accommodations for visitors of Guadalupe. Within around 10 miles of the Guadalupe Dunes there is the Pacific Dunes Ranch Campground, Pacific Plaza Resort and the Kaleidoscope Inn. 

Abu Rudeis, Egypt 

• Key Scenes: background for parting of the Red Sea
• Best Time to Visit: December to March for cooler weather
• Transportation Options: bus, taxi or car 

Abu Rudeis does not have a recognizable presence in the film, but nevertheless it was used for filming The Ten Commandments. Since it seemingly did not play a very significant part in the majority of the movie, fans may not notice much from the destination. In fact, out of the Egypt filming locations Abu Rudeis is technically used the least. But travelers can still visit Abu Rudeis to follow in the footsteps of the cast and crew of “The Ten Commandments” to immerse themselves into where the movie was filmed.

The city has plenty to offer to travelers. The Egyptian sun, of course, gives visitors a nice environment to explore the area. With temperatures between 70 and 95 degrees year round, visiting movie fans will not miss out on the top local attractions. The most popular things to do around Abu Rudeis are windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving and swimming with dolphins. The natural environment is stunning so travelers should indulge in fun outdoor activities to get familiar with the local culture. 

Things to Do: Travelers should be sure to cool down in the ocean water and explore the area . The top beaches include Mahmya Beach and Naama Bay. 

Where to Eat: There are an assortment of popular local spots around Abu Rudeis. One of the top rated places to eat is the Paradise Cafe. 

Where to Stay: The Coral Sea Beach & Aqua Park and Porto South Beach Resort Chalet are two of the top rated accommodations in the Abu Rudeis area . 

Red Rock Canyon State Park, California 

• Key Scenes: outdoor scenes
• Best Time to Visit: April to May or September to October for best weather 
• Transportation Options: taxis or rideshare 

This location in Cantil, California served as background to the moving story of Moses. The state park spans over 27,000 acres. The scenic desert destination was an ideal backdrop that stood in for the real biblical settings. Due to its high elevation and rugged landscape, it served as the perfect place to depict Moses leading his people out of Egypt. It was one of the great open spaces where The Ten Commandments was filmed. Travelers who visit can enjoy the cliffs and canyons of Red Rock Canyon State Park . There are colorful hills that seem to go on forever. It is a popular destination for recreational activities like hiking, scenic drives, climbing, camping and biking. 

Things to Do: Travelers visiting the Red Rock Canyon State Park can take hiking tours, self guided biking tours and even scooter car adventures to sightsee in the area .  

Where to Eat: There are plenty of places to eat around Red Rock Canyon State Park since it is near the metropolitan area of Las Vegas (around 20 miles away). The top restaurants are Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Lindo Michoacan and Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-que. 

Where to Stay: Some of the most luxurious hotels near Red Rock Canyon State Park are closer to the big city. But there are also highly rated places to stay near the park. The Cliffs at Peace Canyon, Suncoast Hotel and Casino and Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa are the top rated accommodations within 10 miles of the park .

Ras Safsafa, Egypt 

• Key Scenes: Moses receiving ten commandments 
• Best Time to Visit: for hiking, September to May 
• Transportation Options: bus, taxi or car

Ras Safsafa is located in South Sinai, Egypt. Mount Sinai is a biblical place of importance. It is a site that is significant to multiple religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. There are varying theories on whether or not Ras Safsafa is the modern-day location where the Israelites embarked on a pilgrimage with Moses. But many people think that Ras Safsafa is the biblical Sinai mountain (although the whole range is named Mount Sinai and Ras Safsafa is simply one its peaks). Ras Safsafa is the generally accepted destination where some believe that Moses received the Ten Commandments. So, this site is clearly an important place to depict in the movie. In fact, the production team got clearance to film at Ras Safsafa because it was so important to them (and the director) to have as much historical accuracy as possible.

Things to Do: Sunset at Ras Safsafa is a stunning sight to see and very popular, so many visitors time their visits carefully. Hiking is the most popular activity in this mountainous area, especially if travelers want to get a good view of the sunset. 

Where to Eat: There are plenty of places near Mount Sinai where travelers can get a taste of local Egyptian cuisine or other types of foods. El Kababgy, Café Chino and Boharat Restaurant are some of the top rated options. 

Where to Stay: This area of Egypt has some great resorts for travelers to spend time in. St. Catherine’s Monastery Guesthouse, Morgenland Village and Bedouin Village are popular picks all within a few miles of Mount Sinai. 

Paramount Studios, Los Angeles 

• Key Scenes: general special effects but especially the parting of the Red Sea (also some miscellaneous interior shots)
• Best Time to Visit: during the week for more buzz
• Transportation Options: buses are convenient 

The Hollywood Paramount Studios was the place where the movie magic took place. The visuals of The Ten Commandments were incredibly impressive for the time the movie was released. So, of course, some special effects were needed to make the movie come to life. This is particularly true of the scene where Moses parts the Red Sea to lead his people away from Egypt. This majorly important scene was put together with a mix of different shots. Those included on-location shots, scenes shot at Paramount Studios and VistaVision filming techniques. Constructing the scene to look realistic took about six months. The scenes at the studio entailed a large U-shaped water tank. Nearly 360,000 gallons of water being strategically released from its sides. Travelers that are interested in the logistics of the film’s production can take tours of the studio to explore where The Ten Commandments was filmed.  

Things to Do: Travelers visiting Paramount Studios are encouraged to take immersive tours that delve into the history of the property and film culture. Touring visitors get inside peeks of iconic locations from famous shows and motion pictures. 

Where to Eat: Cafe Gratitude Larchmont, Osteria Mamma and Kali Restaurant are some of the highest rated restaurants within a mile of Paramount . 

Where to Stay: Dream Hollywood by Hyatt, Mamma Shelter Los Angeles and Thompson Hollywood are all centrally located accommodations within two miles of Paramount. 

The Ten Commandments

Column:  Would you buy a $60 Bible from this man?

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Holy huckster: Just in time for Easter, the holiest day of the Christian calendar, Donald Trump started hawking Bibles — in the same month that he paid a bond after recently being found liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll and ahead of his next trial , for allegedly paying pre-election hush-money to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Nothing could better illustrate Trump’s shamelessness, and — in Americans’ reaction to his latest hustle — the range of views about him: From that of grifter (my take, obviously) to God’s anointed one (his most worshipful supporters’).

Opinion Columnist

Jackie Calmes

Jackie Calmes brings a critical eye to the national political scene. She has decades of experience covering the White House and Congress.

Americans haven’t seen a Bible scheme quite like Trump’s in a half-century. And that earlier one was movie-land make-believe — Ryan and Tatum O’Neal playing a father-daughter tag team conning a farmer’s widow in the 1973 film “Paper Moon.” (That same year, the Nixon Justice Department sued Trump and his father for very un-Christ-like racial discrimination in renting apartments, spawning a long legal battle that ended in the Trumps signing a consent decree against the practice. Then, as now, Trump ignored Matthew 5:25: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.”)

“Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again,” Trump wrote in a post on social media Tuesday. “As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.”

Yours for just $59.99, plus shipping and handling.

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My Bible didn’t cost that much. But mine doesn’t include such non-biblical bonuses as the lyrics to the song that opens Trump’s rallies, “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, his partner in this enterprise. There’s also the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Constitution, which “I’m fighting for every single day, very hard, to keep Americans protected,” he claims in a three-minute sales video.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness,” says the Ninth Commandment, Book of Exodus. Trump, the self-professed warrior for the Constitution, once called for the Constitution’s “termination.”

The Bible-pitch video is gold for anti-Trump memes and mockery, the kind of material that’s tailor-made for “Saturday Night Live” without its writers changing a word.

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“You have to have it for your heart, for your soul,” Trump says, clutching the good book to his gut. His pose calls to mind that bizarro photo-op outside St. John’s Episcopal Church across from the White House in 2020. Trump had rarely gone inside St. John’s — the so-called Church of the Presidents — during his four years in office, or any other church for that matter.

Yet Trump sermonizes in the Bible video, “Religion and Christianity are the biggest things missing from this country. …That’s why our country is going haywire. … All Americans need a Bible in their home and I have many. It’s my favorite book.”

Speaking of favorites, when it comes to the many reactions to Trump’s Bible blather, mine was Liz Cheney’s reply on the site once known as Twitter: “Happy Holy Week, Donald. Instead of selling Bibles, you should probably buy one. And read it, including Exodus 20:14.”

Calmes: One Trump puppet stands between Ukraine and the aid it needs

Speaker Mike Johnson says he cares about the fate of Ukraine and Europe. He could prove it by letting the House vote on Biden’s aid package.

March 17, 2024

Note to Trump: That’s another of the Ten Commandments. The one that reads “You shall not commit adultery” in the New King James version you’re selling.

Reporters famously challenged then-candidate Trump early in the 2016 campaign to cite his “most favored” Bible verses, given the claims he made then about his love of Scripture. He refused, insisting repeatedly, “That’s very personal.”

At about this time four years ago, then-President Trump also tried to underscore his reverence for Christianity, and Holy Week, with potentially fatal consequences. It was the spring of 2020, COVID-19 was spreading, nearly 800 Americans had died, hundreds of thousands had become ill and much of the nation was shut down. He suddenly suggested that everything should reopen by Easter.

“Easter’s a very special day for me,” he said . “Wouldn’t it be great to have all the churches full?”

Most stayed closed, to the relief of public health experts. By that Easter, more than 22,000 Americans had died , nearly a 30-fold increase in the three weeks after Trump called for the nation’s reopening.

Calmes: Have Democrats finally stopped wimping out?

President Biden and the Democratic Party are showing signs they’ll match Republicans’ hard-edged tactics in the 2024 campaign.

March 13, 2024

If anything, Trump’s show of religiosity — and that of his most zealous disciples — lately has become more pronounced, even messianic , as he campaigns again for president. Where some Christians see blasphemy , many of Trump’s followers see more evidence that he is God’s chosen one .

Here’s the voiceover from some supporters’ video that he plays at his rallies: “On June 14, 1946, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, ‘I need a caretaker.’ So God gave us Trump.” It goes on and on like that. Last October, at the start of the New York trial that ended with the former president being found liable for financial fraud, Trump posted a sketch of himself and Jesus, side by side, at the witness table.

The believers lap it up. “This is really a battle between good and evil,” one evangelical TV preacher said of the criminal charges against Trump. “There’s something on President Trump that the enemy fears: It’s called the anointing.”

Granted, not all Trump supporters are so fervid. Some even allow that he’s a bit of a con man, not that they’ll change their vote. Yet most of us, whatever our political or religious leanings, should be able to agree that anyone aspiring to lead this diverse nation shouldn’t use the Bible to divide us, let alone to make money.

What would Jesus do? We know this much: He threw “them that sold and bought” out of the temple. Matthew, 21:12-13.

@jackiekcalmes

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Get the latest from Jackie Calmes

Commentary on politics and more from award-winning opinion columnist.

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Jackie Calmes is an opinion columnist for the Los Angeles Times in Washington, D.C. Before joining The Times in 2017 as White House editor, she worked at the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, covering the White House, Congress and national politics. She served as the chief political correspondent and chief economic correspondent at each paper. In 2004, she received the Gerald R. Ford Journalism Prize for Reporting on the Presidency. Calmes began her career in Texas covering state politics and moved to Washington in 1984 to work for Congressional Quarterly. She was a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy and at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. She is the author of “Dissent: The Radicalization of the Republican Party and Its Capture of the Court.”

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This Week in Louisiana Politics: The Ten Commandments, LSU and the national anthem

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — On This Week in Louisiana Politics, Gov. Jeff Landry lashes out at the LSU women’s basketball team for not being on the court during the national anthem.

Landry says players should be stripped of their scholarships if they are not present during the song.

Also, the legislature considered requiring public classrooms to display the Ten Commandments despite the Supreme Court ruling against it in the past.

Plus, more drama unfolds around the new St. Tammany coroner as people call for him to resign.

That and more on Your Local Election Headquarters.

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South Carolina finishes off perfect season with NCAA championship, beating Clark and Iowa 87-75

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Asylum seeker claims he converted to Christianity but can only name one of Ten Commandments

• Thomas Godfrey , News Reporter
• Published : 0:06, 7 Apr 2024
• Updated : 0:06, 7 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

AN asylum seeker claimed he converted to Christianity but only knew one of the Ten Commandments.

He also could not name where Jesus was born.

The Iranian, 42, whose name was not given, told immigration officials he was a practising Christian after his application for refugee status was rejected in 2019.

He appealed but a tribunal heard that in a religion test he did not know Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It also emerged he did not attend church and had not been baptised.

The tribunal heard his solicitor “accepted in submissions that (the Christianity) aspect of the appellant’s claim was not the strongest”.

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Judge Graeme Clarke made “damning credibility findings” and rejected his bid to stay.

In another case a Nigerian in his 60s said he would be persecuted for converting to Christianity if sent home.

But the man had “almost no knowledge” of Islam and lived in Lagos for years as a Christian. His appeal was rejected.

Last week Home Secretary James Cleverly told The Sun on Sunday it was time to “shine a light” on immigration tribunals which allowed asylum seekers to stay with no public record.

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Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “These are two more examples of attempts to game the system.”

The Home Office declined to comment.

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Maureen Dowd

Donald Trump, Blasphemous Bible Thumper

By Maureen Dowd

Opinion Columnist, reporting from Washington.

On this holy weekend, one man is taking the Resurrection personally.

Donald Trump is presenting himself as the Man on the Cross, tortured for our sins. “I consider it a great badge of courage,” he tells crowds. “I am being indicted for you.” Instead of Christlike redemption, he promises Lucifer-like retribution if resurrected.

In January he put up a video on Truth Social about how he is a messenger from God, “a shepherd to mankind.”

Trump is, as the nuns who taught me used to say, “a bold, brazen piece.” He is a miserable human who cheated on his wives, cheats at golf, cheats at politics, incites violence, targets judges and their families and looked on , pleased, as thugs threatened to hang his actually pious vice president.

Yet, more and more, Trump is wallowing in his messiah complex.

Two-Corinthians Trump wouldn’t know the difference between Old and New Testaments. So he may not realize that, rather than a sacrificial lamb, he is the golden calf, the false god worshiped by Israelites when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to get the Ten Commandments.

Just as the Israelites melted their ornaments and jewelry to make the calf, Trump is trading tacky products for gilt to pay gazillions in obligations. After his $399 golden Never Surrender High-Top Sneaker, Trump is selling a $99 Victory47 cologne for “movers, shakers and history makers,” in which “a crisp opening of citrus blends into a cedar heart, underpinned by a rich base of leather and amber, crafting a commanding presence.” A gold bust of Trump tops the bottle. (Victory47 perfume for women comes in a Miss Universe-shaped bottle.)

Weaponizing his martyrdom, Trump is selling $59.99 “God Bless the USA” Bibles adorned with a flag and the chorus of Lee Greenwood’s song handwritten by the singer, plus the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Pledge of Allegiance.

“Happy Holy Week!” he wrote on Truth Social. “Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless The USA Bible.”

David Axelrod says that, even as a secular Jew, he’s offended: “This is a guy who has violated 11 of the Ten Commandments.”

Trump posted a promotional video claiming “Christians are under siege” and vowing to “protect content that is pro-God.” He held up the Bible — recalling the appalling moment in 2020 when Ivanka handed him a Bible from her designer bag and he clutched it in front of St. John’s Church, opposite the White House, moments after the police tear-gassed protesters and journalists in adjacent Lafayette Square at a demonstration about George Floyd’s murder.

“All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many,” Trump barked. “It’s my favorite book.” Maybe the Bible has replaced that Hitler book Trump’s ex-wife said he kept by his bed. But it’s all a scam. Running for president is about enriching himself, just as when he peddled NFTs, steaks, ties, suits, bath towels, vodka, water, office chairs, Trump University and mug-shot mugs. He even sold pieces of the suit he was wearing when he took the mug shot.

“I want to have a lot of people have it,” Trump said of his Bible. “You have to have it for your heart, for your soul.”

Just what the world needs: a soul cleanse with a grifter Bible, where the profits could well be going to pay legal costs in trials about breaking commandments — bearing false witness to try to steal democracy, coveting a porn star, then paying the star hush money to keep quiet about the sex.

What could be more Elmer Gantry than that? As Sinclair Lewis wrote about his corrupt, power-hungry, narcissistic, womanizing preacher, “He had, in fact, got everything from the church and Sunday school, except, perhaps, any longing whatever for decency and kindness and reason.”

Religious snake-oil salesmen have a storied history in American literature and films, from Flannery O’Connor’s “Wise Blood” to Peter Bogdanovich’s beloved movie “Paper Moon,” about a conniving Bible salesman and his small helper. But it’s shocking when the charlatan might be in the Oval.

In her 2016 book, “The Confidence Game,” Maria Konnikova explained that we’re easy prey for faux Nigerian princes because of all the chaos in our world. “The whirlwind advance of technology heralds a new golden age of the grift,” she wrote. “Cons thrive in times of transition and fast change.”

If there is one thing Trump knows how to do, it’s exploit chaos he creates.

There has to be a yearning in the populace that the con man can channel, and at a time when religion and patriotism are waning, people are searching for more. Unfortunately, these days that search often takes the form of conspiracy theories.

As Donie O’Sullivan reported for CNN, no sooner had the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore than a bunch of crazy conspiracy tales blossomed about terrorism, D.E.I., Obama, Israel and Ukraine.

Declining faith in religion and rising faith in conspiracies create fertile ground for a faker like Trump. If the profane pol is re-elected, we’ll all reap the whirlwind.

Source photographs by Peter Dazeley and Neustockimages/Getty Images and Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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Maureen Dowd is an Opinion columnist for The Times. She won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary. @ MaureenDowd • Facebook

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10 Wrinkle-free Shirts to Pack for Your Spring Travels — Starting at $21 From Everlane to Madewell

Leave the iron at home because you can wear these sleek styles straight out of your suitcase.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Daisy Rodriguez

Nothing detracts from a good travel outfit quite like a tangle of wrinkles running across your shirt, but when you’re shoving clothing into packing cubes and aiming to squeeze as much into your suitcase as possible, it can be difficult to sidestep that reality while traveling. Well, unless you know what materials to look for, that is. 

This spring, we’re making sure that you can do away with wrinkles permanently while you’re on the go — and no, we don’t mean by turning to the questionable iron tucked into your hotel room closet. After scouring the internet for sleek styles made of materials that resist wrinkles like silk, polyester, lyocell, and wool, we’ve rounded up the 10 best wrinkle-free tops to pack while traveling, from brands like Madewell , Everlane , Vuori , and more. And with prices capping at $96, you can bid wrinkles adieu at any budget.

J.Ver Women’s Wrinkle-Free Dress Shirt

Sometimes, a simple button-down is all you need to feel sophisticated and well-dressed in a pinch, so this $25 top from Amazon is an excellent selection for work trips and even a nice dinner while remaining wrinkle-free. The blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex is the key for maintaining its uniform shape even after folding this shirt and tucking it away into your suitcase, and with 35 colors and patterns to choose from, don’t be surprised if you end up circling back to grab another shade later this season.

Shewin Women’s Casual Floral Print Blouse

Nothing says spring quite like a bold floral top, so it makes sense that this flowing bohemian-style blouse quickly became a best-seller at Amazon . The relaxed, comfortable fit is endlessly flattering, while loose sleeves won’t ever feel restrictive during sightseeing days and beyond. Plus, this shirt is so lightweight that it will hardly take up any space in your suitcase, and with a wrinkle-free finish, you don’t have to worry about looking disheveled or messy — even when you are getting dressed in a rush. 

Everlane The Mini Jacquard Stripe Top

Earthy tones are forever a classic regardless of the season, so if it’s a flattering tee that you’re on the hunt for, this brown striped top from Everlane will fit the bill. Featuring a boxy, slightly oversized silhouette, this relaxed-fitting top will look great paired with anything from a maxi skirt to a simple pair of slouchy jeans. Versatile and wrinkle-free? You won’t find many shirts better than that.

Madewell Long-Sleeve Popover Top

Anyone who thinks that a simple white blouse is boring clearly hasn’t laid their eyes on this ethereal top from Madewell that’s easily dressed up or down for any occasion that might arise during your travels. Currently double discounted to just $56 the code FORYOU , this top is practically begging to be added to your closet for spring, so you never have to worry about packing a portable steamer or using the hotel iron again. 

And if you’re feeling in the mood to splurge on a lookalike style, the Aday Slim Something Borrowed Shirt is designed with a similar feel, but it features a stretchy and breathable material that was specifically created not to wrinkle.

Babaton Utility Shirt

Multi-purpose layers are a cornerstone of spring travel style, and this casual utility shirt from Aritzia is a top pick for this role. Not only can this shirt be buttoned up and tucked into a pair of trousers, but it can also be worn loose and unbuttoned over a plain white tee for a day of sightseeing in fluctuating temperatures. The army green shade is perfect for transitioning from winter to spring weather, but if your wardrobe is calling for something different, don’t worry — there are 20 other colors to choose from. 

The Group by Babaton Destination Longsleeve

It’s always a good idea to invest in elevated basics, and this well-made long sleeved top from Aritzia is the perfect base layer for any outfit you put together this spring. The slim-fitting crew neck cut captures a classic style that’s universally flattering, while lyocell fabric resists wrinkles for a refined look every time you slip it on. Best of all, it’s ultra-soft and cozy, so if you’re looking to level-up your travel day style, this top is a great place to start.

Abercrombie The A&F Mara Denim Vest

Abercrombie & Fitch

t’s no secret that denim doesn’t wrinkle, so if you’re hoping to add fun flair to your spring outfit lineup, why not start with this sleek and fun twist on the menswear trend ? This button-down top is currently available in three shades (traditional denim, black, and cream), but all are versatile and endlessly cool when paired with a matching bottom, flowy skirt, or trousers. In short, the outfit possibilities are endless with this wrinkle-proof vest.

Abercrombie Merino Wool-Blend Slash Top

Wool is a reliable material to look out for if you’re aiming to reduce your collection of wrinkly clothing, and there’s no better top to shop for brisk spring days than this effortless merino wool-blend piece from Abercrombie that’s currently on sale for just $49. The delicate, lace-like pattern adorning the entirety of the sweater adds a touch of femininity to any outfit, while the fuzzy texture will feel gentle against the skin — even after a full day of wearing it. Not to mention that the neutral shade will pair easily with even your boldest bottoms, making this a more stylish neutral piece than a simple plain tee.

Madewell Silk Muscle Tee

Short-sleeve weather is right around the corner, and this silk muscle tee from Madewell is a great pick for showing off your arms without needing to wear anything too tight while you’re on the go. Right now, the three available shades are on sale for just $75, and the relaxed fit of this top is practically made for long travel days when you want to look put-together without sacrificing comfort. The fact that it doesn’t wrinkle is just icing on the cake. 

Vuori Long Sleeve Halo Crew

We can’t blame you if your go-to travel outfit is an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, but may we suggest a slight elevation to this look in the form of this stylish crew neck from Vuori? The ultra-stretchy and breathable material is ideal regardless of the temperature that you’re traveling in, while a cropped fit is slightly more flattering than your typical sweatshirt. It’s safe to say that this top brings all the comfort of a hoodie but with the style of a typical shirt, landing in the perfect spot between loungewear and your new go-to sightseeing outfit. 

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The Best Crossbody Bags For Travel, Built With Storage And Style

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Roomy enough to carry everyday essentials, the best crossbody bags for travel give you the freedom to explore without having to lug your suitcase around. We researched the best crossbody bags for travel that offer both storage and style and selected the MZ Wallace Small Sutton Deluxe as our top pick. We also found other great options for different travel styles, like a spacious crescent bag for beach trips and a sleek sling bag for organization.

The best crossbody bags for travel give you the freedom to explore without having to lug your ... [+] suitcase around.

A solid crossbody bag is versatile and provides convenient hands-free storage for every situation. This 4-in-1 leather bag from Lo & Sons stylishly transitions from day to night, while Lululemon’s popular Everywhere Belt Bag can be worn on the hip or across the body. Meanwhile, active travelers will get great use out of the Nomatic Navigator Sling , which features a water bottle holder and a stabilizer strap. Below, the best crossbody bags for travel in a variety of price points, styles and materials.

• Best Crossbody Bag For Travel Overall: MZ Wallace Small Sutton Deluxe
• Best Affordable Crossbody Bag For Travel: Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag
• Best Crossbody Bag For Organization: Aer Day Sling 3
• Best Crossbody Bag For Parents: Hobo Sheila Large Satchel
• Best Crossbody Bag For Beach Trips: Baggu Large Nylon Crescent Bag
• Best Crossbody Bag For Active Trips: Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L
• Most Versatile Crossbody Bag For Travel: Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in Nappa Leather
• Best Belt Bag For Travel: Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1 L
• Best Crossbody Bag For Men: Cotopaxi Coso 2L Hip Pack
• Best Leather Crossbody Bag For Travel: Quince Italian Leather Triple Compartment Crossbody

Best Crossbody Bag For Travel Overall

Lightweight, stylish storage, mz wallace small sutton deluxe.

Dimensions: 9.8 × 5.5 × 10.20 inches | Weight: 1.08 pounds | Materials: Recycled oxford (polyester, nylon), leather

With a handy key ring strap and five interior pockets, this versatile bag is perfect for staying organized during travel. It can be worn as a crossbody or top handle tote and its water-resistant oxford fabric won’t weigh you down on your journey. There’s an easy-to-adjust nylon strap for a customized fit and the detachable interior pouch is big enough to hold a pair of shoes, plus the ample pockets provide plenty of space for your phone, keys, tickets and more. It weighs only a pound but can fit a surprising amount of items, plus its plush fabric folds down for packing.

Best Affordable Crossbody Bag For Travel

Security features plus many pockets, travelon anti-theft classic mini shoulder bag.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 8.5 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 0.7 pounds | Materials: Polyester, nylon

Travelon’s Anti-Theft Classic Mini Shoulder Bag packs an impressive punch for being so small. Its six pockets keep everything where you need it—including an RFID-blocking passport and card interior organizer—while a tethered key caddy with an LED light eliminates that dreaded “can’t-find-it-in-my-bag” feeling. The 5-Point Anti-Theft security system protects against theft threats with slash-resistant fabric, lockable straps and secure zipper pulls. Not only will you feel safe wearing this bag, but thanks to its 13 colors and prints, you’ll also look stylish anywhere your trip may take you.

Best Crossbody Bag For Organization

A compact sling bag with room to spare, aer day sling 3.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 6 x 3 inches | Weight: 0.8 pounds | Materials: Cordura nylon

With a ballistic nylon exterior and a unique design that zips open for easy access, Aer’s Day Sling 3 is one of the more durable crossbody options out there. It has a 3L capacity that fits a surprising amount of items and its 8 pockets ensure everything stays in its place. There are multiple loops for strapping onto your luggage or storage and a handy front pocket with a key leash and cool security features like a secret back pocket. There’s also a sneaky Fidlock clasp that makes it harder for a pickpocket to snatch your bag.

Best Crossbody Bag For Parents

Extra space and storage for the whole family, hobo sheila large satchel.

Dimensions: 13.5 x 14 x 5.5 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Materials: Raffia, leather

For parents or travelers who need to tote a lot of stuff on the go, a larger bag might be in order. Hobo’s Sheila Large Satchel offers nice organizational features and high style points. It’s made of a lightweight woven raffia with leather trim for added durability, plus its six interior pockets, key lanyard and accessible side exterior pocket are perfect for storing smaller items you may need throughout the day. Its main compartment is quite roomy, easily fitting a laptop, kid’s tablet, diaper wipes, snacks, toys, a backup outfit and more. The flexibility of its 3-in-1 styling really stands out—the adjustable strap can be worn as a crossbody, shortened for a shoulder bag or simply removed to transform into a classy top handle bag for a night out after the kiddos go to sleep.

Best Crossbody Bag For Beach Trips

Large and easy to wear for sandy days in the sun.

Urban Outfitters

Baggu Large Nylon Crescent Bag

Dimensions: 10.5 × 19.5 × 5.25 inches | Weight: N/A (not listed) | Materials: 100% recycled nylon

A beach bag calls for some pretty specific features: it needs to be durable and water-resistant, it should be big enough to hold bulky towels and ideally, it has a simple shape so sand won’t get lodged in the nooks and crannies. After much research, the Baggu Crescent Bag fits the bill. Its adjustable strap can be worn across the chest or as a tighter-fitting shoulder bag, the large size is roomy enough for a couple towels and a change of clothes and the zippered interior pocket keeps your wallet and keys secure. The quick-drying ripstop nylon is not only recycled, it’s also durable enough to withstand the windiest—and wettest—of beach days. Consider adding a few of Baggu’s fun printed flat pouches for additional organization.

Best Crossbody Bag For Active Trips

A durable sling with no detail spared, nomatic navigator sling 6l.

Dimensions: 13.5 x 9 x 4 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Materials: 80% nylon, 20% polyester

Whether you’re hiking, biking or riding the metro, the Navigator Sling from Nomatic offers durability, storage and some impressive features. There’s a water bottle holder that zips away when not in use, a molded EVA back panel for wearable comfort and breathability, a tamper-resistant zipper and tech features like built-in tablet storage, an RFID-blocking pocket for your cards and a cord-pass through for charging your devices in different pockets. If you’re running or moving around a lot, there’s also a stabilizer strap that clips on to keep the sling even more secure to your body. Unlike some sling styles, this bag has multiple zippered storage compartments, the main one opening extra wide for easier access.

Most Versatile Crossbody Bag For Travel

Four ways to wear it.

Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons Waverley 2 in Nappa Leather

Dimensions: 5.6 x 8 x 2 inches | Weight: 0.6 pounds | Materials: Nappa, Saffiano or cactus leather

When you’re on the go, sometimes the last thing you want is to ruin the flow of the day by making a pit stop at the hotel to change out a bag before dinner. We like the Lo & Sons Waverley for its inventive versatility that adapts to your needs. The minimal leather design has an adjustable strap that can be worn 4 ways: as a hands-free belt bag, a longer crossbody, a casual shoulder bag or an elevated clutch with (or without) a wristlet. The main compartment is large enough for the essentials and the zippered inner pocket keeps smaller items secure no matter where your day—or night—takes you.

Best Belt Bag For Travel

Hands-free storage in a slim profile, lululemon everywhere belt bag 1 l.

Dimensions: 7.5 x 2 x 5 inches | Weight: N/A (not listed) | Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester

Over 22,500 reviewers agree: the Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag is sleek, lightweight and versatile enough to be worn just about anywhere your travels take you. It has a water-repellant nylon exterior and one main compartment, three mesh interior pockets for added organization and a back zipper for your phone or cards. Its adjustable strap can tighten for comfortable wearing around your waist or it can be extended as a crossbody sling. With a 1L capacity, this bag is definitely on the smaller side, so you might want to consider their larger 2L size if you need more space.

Best Crossbody Bag For Men

Rugged looks for when you're on the go, cotopaxi coso 2l hip pack.

Dimensions: 11 x 7 x 3 inches | Weight: 10 ounces | Materials: Recycled nylon, recycled polyester

This easy-wearing hip pack from Cotopaxi combines an urban rugged look with smart storage solutions. The recycled nylon exterior is durable with a matte TPU coating, making it water-resistant and easy to clean, while a fleece interior pocket stores your phone or other small devices without any scratch risk. There’s multiple grab handles for easy carrying, secure pockets for smaller items and in addition to the main zippered compartment, the exterior front flap pocket can store a rolled-up lightweight jacket when you get warm on the go. G-hooks on both sides can be adjusted for customized storage and it can be comfortably worn as a crossbody on the front or back, or around the waist as a belt bag.

Best Leather Crossbody Bag For Travel

Three storage sections in a minimal package, quince italian leather triple compartment crossbody.

Dimensions: 7.8 x 9.5 x 3 inches | Weight: 1.54 pounds | Materials: Leather

Quince’s smooth Italian leather crossbody might look simple from the outside, but there’s actually a lot of unexpected storage inside. The bag has three main compartments—two zippered sections flanking one open area that closes with snaps—plus three internal zippered pockets to take your organization a step further. It also comes with two detachable straps that allow for crossbody or wristlet wear. Quince is known for its fair prices and ethical manufacturing process, and if that’s not impressive enough, the brand also offers a generous 365-day return policy.

The Best Travel Accessories, Reviewed By Our Editors

The best wireless earbuds under $100 that offer style and function, why trust forbes vetted.

Our team at Forbes Vetted is comprised of seasoned editors, writers and researchers who not only love travel, but love to shop. We approach all of our travel product roundups with a discerning eye, focusing on quality, value and more, taking the time to assess products so you don’t have to. From the best luggage locks to the best carry-on backpacks , we spend countless hours researching, vetting and testing travel products to bring you the best of what’s on the market so you can make smart and informed shopping decisions for that next big trip or cruise . This story was written by contributor Becky Eaton , who regularly writes fashion, accessory and travel product guides for Forbes Vetted.

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