Exodus 20:2
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
I am the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
I am the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֽוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ
which have brought
H3318
הֽוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ
which have brought
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
5 of 9
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
thee out of the land
H776
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
thee out of the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
6 of 9
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 5:6I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.Hosea 13:4Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.Exodus 13:3And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.Leviticus 26:13I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.Psalms 81:10I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.Leviticus 19:36Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.Deuteronomy 7:8But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.Deuteronomy 5:15And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.Leviticus 23:43That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.Deuteronomy 13:10And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaties began with the suzerain's self-identification and recitation of benefits granted. God adopts this structure but fills it with covenant grace—He redeemed before requiring.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the order (redemption THEN law) shape your understanding of obedience?
- What does God identifying Himself as 'thy God' (personal, covenantal) mean for your relationship with Him?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
The Decalogue's preamble establishes relationship before requirements. 'I am YHWH' (אָנֹכִי יְהוָה, anokhi YHWH)—the covenant name revealed at the burning bush. God identifies Himself not abstractly but redemptively: 'which have brought thee out' (אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ, asher hotzetikha) uses causative form—God actively extracted them. 'House of bondage' (מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים, mibeit avadim) means 'house of slaves'—God rescued them from slave quarters. LAW FOLLOWS GRACE. Israel obeys not to earn salvation but because they're already redeemed. The gospel pattern appears: God saves, then commands. We love because He first loved us. Every command rests on this foundation: I am YOUR God who SAVED you—therefore live like it.