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Exodus 20:14

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

You must not commit adultery.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

God is commanding His people to be faithful in marriage and not to have sexual relationships outside of their marriage commitment.

📚 Historical Context

In the historical context, the Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai as part of the covenant with the Israelites, who had recently escaped slavery in Egypt and were forming a new nation. This specific commandment against adultery addressed the need to preserve family integrity and social stability in a culture where marital unfaithfulness could lead to disputes over inheritance and community discord. Adultery was a serious offense in ancient Near Eastern societies, often carrying severe legal and moral consequences to uphold societal order.

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