All these features of the Commandments and their place in the biblical story suggest that here indeed is something of primary importance. Repetition, placement, highlighting, divine authorship—all serve to tell the community of faith that here is the foundational word for your life as God’s people. All you need to know is given to you in these Ten Words. They may be summed up succinctly (as in the Great Commandment) and elaborated in great detail (as in the legal codes; see below), but they are a
Page 4