How many commandments?

The Bible does not spell out whether there are nine or ten commandments.  In addition, in the original Hebrew of Exodus 34:28, Moses recorded “ten words” (not “Ten Commandments,” as the NIV translates).  In Exodus 20 there are “words” about idolatry, misusing God’s name, keeping the Sabbath day, honoring parents, murder, committing adultery, stealing, lying and coveting.

Over the years, there have been different ways of numbering the commandments.  The Reformed system is to split what we would call the first commandment into two commandments and to combine what we would call the ninth and tenth commandments into a single commandment.

There is no right or wrong way of numbering or categorizing God’s commandments.  And, of course, much more important than putting a number in front of a commandment is focusing on the content of a commandment.  That content is there to curb wickedness in the world, show us our sins and need for a Savior, and point out how we can use life to say “thank you” to the God who has saved us.