Exodus 20:2

KJV

I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

KJV (with Strong's)

I am the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, which have brought {H3318} thee out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, out of the house {H1004} of bondage {H5650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the abode of slavery. c

Berean Standard Bible

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

American Standard Version

I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse serves as the profound and foundational preamble to the Ten Commandments, delivered by God to the newly liberated Israelites at Mount Sinai. It unequivocally establishes the identity and authority of the Lawgiver, revealing Him as the sovereign LORD who has already acted decisively in history to redeem His people from the "house of bondage" in Egypt. It sets the stage for the subsequent divine instructions, grounding Israel's covenantal obedience not in fear or merit, but in grateful response to God's prior redemptive grace and His personal, covenantal relationship with them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This declaration immediately precedes the giving of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:3-17), which forms the core of the Mosaic Covenant. The Israelites have recently experienced God's awe-inspiring power through the plagues in Egypt and the miraculous [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea"). They have journeyed through the wilderness to [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel at Mount Sinai"), where God has called Moses to ascend the mountain and prepare the people for His direct revelation. The entire narrative from [Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - God's Appearance at Sinai") emphasizes the solemnity and holiness of the encounter, with God descending in fire and smoke. Thus, Exodus 20:2 is not an isolated statement but the very bedrock upon which the entire covenant relationship and its stipulations are built, establishing God's credentials as the one true God and Israel's gracious Deliverer before any command is issued.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern treaties often began with a "historical prologue" where the suzerain (the more powerful party) would recount his benevolent acts towards the vassal (the less powerful party) as the basis for the vassal's loyalty and future obligations. Exodus 20:2 functions precisely in this manner, but with divine authority. Israel had endured centuries of brutal [slavery in Egypt](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Oppression of Israel"), a state of complete subjugation that stripped them of their dignity and freedom. God's act of bringing them out of this "house of bondage" was an unparalleled historical event, demonstrating His unique power and covenant faithfulness. Unlike the gods of Egypt or other surrounding nations, the God of Israel was not merely a local deity or a force of nature, but a personal God who intervened decisively in human history to liberate His people. This historical act of redemption formed the unique foundation for Israel's relationship with Yahweh and their subsequent obedience to His laws, distinguishing their covenant from purely human political treaties.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh." It signifies God's self-existence ("I AM WHO I AM" in [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God Reveals His Name")), His eternal nature, and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. By using this name, God reveals Himself as a personal, relational deity who enters into covenant with His people, distinguishing Himself from the impersonal or localized gods of other nations. It underscores His unique authority and intimate relationship with Israel.
* **thy God (Hebrew, _ʾĕlōhêkā_):** The possessive suffix "thy" (singular) emphasizes the exclusive and personal nature of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and each individual Israelite, as well as the nation as a whole. It signifies that Yahweh is not just *a* god, but *their* God, the one to whom they belong and who has chosen them. This phrase establishes a reciprocal relationship of loyalty and devotion, implying both privilege and responsibility.
* **house of bondage (Hebrew, _bêyt ʿăṿāḏîm_):** Literally meaning "house of slaves" or "house of servitude," this vivid phrase powerfully conveys the complete subjugation, dehumanization, and severe oppression experienced by the Israelites under Pharaoh's rule. It highlights the totality of their former enslavement and underscores the profound, comprehensive nature of God's liberation. It's a stark reminder of what God delivered them *from*, emphasizing the magnitude of His redemptive act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I [am] the LORD thy God":** This is a direct, self-revelatory statement, asserting God's absolute identity and supreme authority. It is a covenant formula, identifying the speaker as the sovereign who is about to establish a relationship and issue commands. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) and "thy God" emphasizes His personal, relational, and exclusive claim over Israel, distinguishing Him from all other deities and establishing the unique foundation for their covenant.
* **"which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt":** This clause highlights God's decisive, historical act of liberation. It grounds His authority not merely in His divine nature, but in His demonstrated power and faithfulness to His people. The exodus from Egypt was the pivotal redemptive event that defined Israel's identity and established the basis for their grateful obedience. It reminds them that they are a people already redeemed by grace, not seeking redemption through obedience.
* **"out of the house of bondage.":** This final phrase vividly describes the severity of Israel's former condition, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their liberation. "House of bondage" serves as a powerful metaphor for total enslavement, underscoring the profound freedom God bestowed upon them. It reinforces the idea that God's commands are given to a people who have already experienced His saving power, and their obedience is a response to this immense act of grace and deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 20:2 employs several potent literary devices. It functions primarily as a **Preamble** or **Historical Prologue**, a common feature in ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where the great king (God) recounts his benevolent acts towards his vassal (Israel) as the basis for the ensuing covenant and its stipulations. This sets the tone for the commandments as a gracious gift rather than an arbitrary imposition. The phrase "house of bondage" is a powerful **Metaphor** for the totality of Israel's enslavement and oppression, vividly conveying their former state and the magnitude of God's deliverance. The repetition of the idea of "bringing out" (implied in "out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage") creates a subtle **Emphasis** through **Redundancy**, underscoring the completeness and certainty of God's redemptive act. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as a **Covenant Formula**, directly identifying the sovereign and establishing His authority and relationship with His people before the terms of the covenant are laid out.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 20:2 profoundly establishes that God's law is always rooted in His prior redemptive grace. The commandments are not a means to earn salvation, but a guide for a people already saved, a framework for living in grateful response to a deliverer God. This sequence—redemption first, then revelation of the law—is foundational to biblical theology, highlighting God's initiative in salvation and the nature of true obedience as a joyful response to His love and faithfulness. It underscores that our relationship with God is personal and covenantal, built on His character and His acts of deliverance.

* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20 "Deuteronomy 6:20-25 - Remembering the Exodus")
* [Romans 6:1-4](/romans/6-1 "Romans 6:1-4 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")
* [Titus 2:11-14](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11-14 - God's Grace Teaches Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 20:2 serves as a timeless reminder that our relationship with God is fundamentally grounded in His prior acts of grace and deliverance. For us today, just as God delivered Israel from physical slavery, He has delivered believers from the spiritual "house of bondage"—the dominion of sin, the power of death, and the futility of a life without Him. Our obedience to God's commands, therefore, is not a burdensome requirement to earn His favor, but a joyful, grateful response to the immense freedom and new life He has already given us through Christ. This verse calls us to continually remember the "exodus" God has performed in our own lives, fostering a heart of deep gratitude that motivates us to live in a manner worthy of the One who has set us free and called us His own. It challenges us to reflect on the source of our freedom and to ensure our service flows from a place of love and thankfulness, rather than obligation or fear.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance in your life shape your present obedience and worship?**
* **In what ways might you still be living as if in a "house of bondage," even after experiencing God's freedom?**
* **How does the sequence of "redemption first, then law" in Exodus 20:2 inform your understanding of grace and works in the Christian life?**

### FAQ
**Why does God identify Himself by His redemptive act ("brought thee out of the land of Egypt") before giving the Ten Commandments?**

Answer: God identifies Himself by His redemptive act to establish the foundation for the entire covenant relationship. This is a crucial theological point: the law is given to a people already redeemed by grace, not as a means to earn redemption. By recounting their deliverance from the "house of bondage" in Egypt, God reminds Israel of His unique power, faithfulness, and their special relationship with Him. This historical prologue, common in ancient Near Eastern treaties, functions to secure the vassal's loyalty based on the suzerain's prior benevolence. For Israel, their obedience to the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments") was to be a grateful response to the God who had already saved them, not a burdensome path to earn salvation. It underscores that God's commands flow from His character as a loving Deliverer, and true obedience stems from a heart of gratitude for His saving work.

**What is the significance of the phrase "house of bondage" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "house of bondage" (Hebrew: _bêyt ʿăṿāḏîm_) is a powerful and evocative metaphor for the totality of Israel's enslavement in Egypt. It signifies not just physical servitude, but a state of complete subjugation, dehumanization, and lack of freedom. The Israelites were not merely laborers; they were property, entirely at the mercy of their oppressors. By explicitly stating that He brought them out of this "house of bondage," God emphasizes the comprehensive nature of His liberation. It highlights the profound contrast between their former state of utter powerlessness and their new status as a free people, under the direct care and covenant of the Almighty God. This vivid imagery serves to magnify the greatness of God's redemptive act and to remind Israel of the depth of the freedom they received, underscoring the immense gratitude and loyalty they now owed to their Deliverer. It also foreshadows the spiritual liberation from sin that God would later provide, as seen in passages like [Romans 8:2](/romans/8-2 "Romans 8:2 - Freedom from the Law of Sin and Death").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 20:2 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the greater Deliverer from a far more profound "house of bondage." Just as Yahweh brought Israel out of physical slavery in Egypt, Jesus, the incarnate Yahweh, brings His people out of the spiritual slavery to sin and death. The "land of Egypt" and "house of bondage" serve as powerful types for humanity's enslavement to sin, the law, and the fear of death (cf. [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Fear of Death")). Christ's redemptive work on the cross is the ultimate exodus, securing true freedom for all who believe (cf. [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")). Furthermore, just as God's identity as Deliverer preceded the giving of the Mosaic Law, so too Christ's saving work precedes and empowers our obedience to His commands. We are not saved by keeping the law, but we keep His commands because we are saved, having been redeemed by His precious blood (cf. [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")). He is "the LORD our God" who has personally entered our history to set us free, establishing a new covenant relationship based on His finished work and empowering us to live lives of grateful obedience as His redeemed people (cf. [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 5:6

¶ I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Hosea 13:4

Yet 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.

Leviticus 26:13

I [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 81:10

I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Exodus 13:3

And 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 19:36

Just 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 26:6

And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage: