Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible have become a focal point in contemporary culture wars. When and how, among all the laws reportedly given on Mount Sinai, did the Decalogue become such a privileged and authoritative text? Are all of its specific dos and don'ts still valid? Drawing on biblical and nonbiblical sources, Michael Coogan, Lecturer on Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Harvard, considers ancient and modern understandings of these iconic words, along with their observance and nonobservance, by both Jews and Christians throughout the ages.
The Ten Commandments of the Hebrew Bible have become a focal point in contemporary culture wars. When and how, among all the laws reportedly given on Mount Sinai, did the Decalogue become such a privileged and authoritative text? Are all of its specific dos and don'ts still valid? Drawing on biblical and nonbiblical sources, Michael Coogan, Lecturer on Old Testament/Hebrew Bible at Harvard, considers ancient and modern understandings of these iconic words, along with their observance and nonobservance, by both Jews and Christians throughout the ages.
