THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

Torah Study Guide - Understanding God's Law

"If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments"

The Torah contains 613 commandments (mitzvot) given by the Most High. Not all apply to everyone - some are for priests, some for kings, some for men or women specifically.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." - 1 John 5:3

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

The foundation of all Torah - Written by the finger of God

1

No Other Gods

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Exodus 20:3
2

No Graven Images

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image..."

Exodus 20:4-6
3

Don't Take His Name in Vain

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain..."

Exodus 20:7
4

Remember the Sabbath

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Exodus 20:8-11
5

Honor Parents

"Honour thy father and thy mother..."

Exodus 20:12
6

Don't Murder

"Thou shalt not kill."

Exodus 20:13
7

Don't Commit Adultery

"Thou shalt not commit adultery."

Exodus 20:14
8

Don't Steal

"Thou shalt not steal."

Exodus 20:15
9

Don't Bear False Witness

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

Exodus 20:16
10

Don't Covet

"Thou shalt not covet..."

Exodus 20:17

CATEGORIES OF COMMANDMENTS

🕊️

Worship & Faith

~45

Commands about loving God, prayer, and worship

  • Deut 6:5 Love the LORD with all your heart, soul, and might
  • Deut 6:13 Fear the LORD and serve Him only
  • Deut 10:20 Cleave to Him and swear by His name
  • Exodus 23:25 Worship the LORD your God
📅

Sabbath & Festivals

~30

Commands about holy days and appointed times

  • Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy
  • Exodus 23:12 Rest on the seventh day
  • Lev 23:2 Observe all the feast days
  • Deut 16:1 Keep the Passover
🍞

Dietary Laws

~28

Commands about clean and unclean foods

  • Lev 11:2 Only eat clean animals
  • Lev 11:7-8 Don't eat swine (pork)
  • Lev 11:9-12 Only eat fish with fins and scales
  • Lev 17:12 Don't consume blood
💑

Sexual Morality

~36

Commands about marriage and sexual conduct

  • Lev 18:6 No sexual relations with close relatives
  • Lev 18:22 No homosexual relations
  • Lev 18:23 No relations with animals
  • Deut 24:1-4 Laws concerning divorce
⚖️

Justice & Courts

~100+

Commands about law, justice, and fair treatment

  • Lev 19:15 Judge righteously, show no partiality
  • Deut 16:20 Justice, justice shall you pursue
  • Exodus 23:1 Don't spread false reports
  • Lev 19:11 Don't steal, lie, or deceive
❤️

Love & Relationships

~40

Commands about loving others and relationships

  • Lev 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself
  • Lev 19:34 Love the stranger as yourself
  • Lev 19:32 Honor the elderly
  • Deut 15:7-8 Help the poor and needy

BREAKING IT DOWN

Understanding which commandments apply today

248

Positive Commands

"Thou shalt..."
365

Negative Commands

"Thou shalt not..."
613

Total Commandments

In the Torah

WHICH COMMANDMENTS APPLY TODAY?

✓ Still Apply:

  • Moral laws (murder, theft, adultery, etc.)
  • Worship commands (love God, no idolatry)
  • Sabbath and feast days
  • Dietary laws (clean/unclean)
  • Sexual morality laws
  • Love and justice commands
  • Tithes and offerings principles

✗ Cannot Keep Now:

  • Temple service laws (no temple)
  • Levitical priesthood duties
  • Animal sacrifices (Messiah fulfilled)
  • Laws requiring the land of Israel
  • Civil laws requiring judges/Sanhedrin
  • Death penalty (no Torah government)

"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." - Romans 3:31

THE LAWLESS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." - 1 John 3:4

Those who teach that the law is done away with are teaching lawlessness (sin). Messiah will say to them: "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness]." (Matthew 7:23)

START YOUR JOURNEY

Begin with the Ten Commandments. Master those, then expand to other moral laws. Let the Spirit guide you as you grow in obedience.

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life" - Revelation 22:14

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