Exodus Has Ten. But Deuteronomy's Commandments Are Older.

The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Hebrew Bible—in Exodus and Deuteronomy—with notable differences that indicate they were not written by a single author. These texts originate from distinct literary sources within the Pentateuch, reflecting different perspectives rather than a unified historical account. Contrary to popular belief, the Ten Commandments were not written by Moses, nor are they necessarily the oldest laws in the Bible; they likely date to the 7th century BCE. A critical examination of the Hebrew term *Ratzach* reveals that the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" is more accurately translated as "You shall not murder," specifically referring to intentional, unsanctioned killing rather than a blanket prohibition against all forms of death. This distinction highlights how linguistic shifts and theological agendas have shaped modern interpretations of ancient texts.