The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, have long been a pillar of Western law and culture. In more recent times they have been a point of controversy in the public square. But on closer scrutiny the commandments are particularly addressed to the people of God. In the exodus narrative, their revelation on Mount Sinai is framed in symbols of awe-fire, smoke, and blaring trumpets. To this centerpiece of Sinai, David L. Baker brings his extensive research and reflection. Setting each commandment within its ancient Near Eastern setting, he clearly backlights their cultural profile. Then, within their covenantal framework, he illuminates their biblical-theological meaning. Finally, viewing each commandment in light of our contemporary setting, he reflects on how they cut against the cultural grain and shed light on our pathway as the people of God. The result is a focused commentary on the Decalogue. For anyone studying the Decalogue and Old Testament ethics-students or laypeople, teachers or preachers-this book is an indispensable guide to the "Ten Words" God delivered at Sinai.
"This work offers a concise summary of the commands with a wealth of resources for further study."
Mark W. Scarlata, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 42.5
"David Baker is someone who knows the Old Testament, the ancient Near East, and the scholarly literature, and his study of the Ten Commandments is clear, thorough, wide ranging, and knowledgeable. Furthermore, if you ever want to read anything else, the footnotes and the bibliography are a treasury."
John Goldingay, Fuller Theological Seminary
"Baker's reliable guide can be warmly recommended as an informative and suggestive introduction to a text which remains central to the Christian imagination and, for many, to Christian ethics."
Jonathan Y. Rowe, Studies in Christian Ethics, 2018, Vol. 31(3)
