Question supplied on April 2, 2022

Cecil wrote (CW) friend to TTGM:
Hi TTGM, hoping all is well. I want to run something by you. Exodus chapter 20 vrs 3 is called the first commandment, it says God said “ man should have no other god but him” I understand that to mean do not make any other object an idol and do not worship that idol. If you accept what I say. Then explain to me how vrs 4 and 5 is called the second commandment, to me you cannot be guilty of vrs 3 if you did not do what is in vrs 4 and 5. Therefore vrs 3, 4, and 5  are one and the same, resulting in only nine commandments in exodus chapter 20. Do your research and get back to me.

TTGM’s Response (TR):
We will make this a step by step answer approach to your question.

SHOULD VER 3, 4 & 5 BE ONE COMMANDMENT?

CW:
Exodus chapter 20 vrs 3 is called the first commandment, it says God said “ man should have no other god but him” I understand that to mean do not make any other object an idol and do not worship that idol. If you accept what I say. 

TR:
Agreed.

* * * * * * 

CW:
Then explain to me how vrs 4 and 5 is called the second commandment, to me you cannot be guilty of vrs 3 if you did not do what is in vrs 4 and 5. Therefore vrs 3, 4 and 5  are one and the same, resulting in only nine commandments in exodus chapter 20.

TR:
First, how many commandments were written on the tablets? The scripture tells us ten; it is our final authority. It is written.
Exod 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

We will break down each commandment by verse.

God identifies Himself:
Exod 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Ver 3 (commandment 1)
Exod 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

–
Ver 4-5 (commandment 2)
Exod 20:4-5 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

–
Ver 7 (commandment 3)
Exod 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

–
Ver 8-11 (commandment 4)
Exod 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

–
Ver 12 (Commandment 5)
Exod 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

–
Ver 13 (commandment 6)
Exod 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

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Ver 14 (commandment 7)
Exod 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

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Ver 15 (commandment 8)
Exod 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

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Ver 16 (commandment 9)
Exod 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 

–
Ver 17 (commandment 10)
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

*********

CW:
Therefore vrs 3, 4, and 5  are one and the same,

TR:
Your statement implies that a god can only come in the form of a graven image. No, this is an incorrect assumption.
Ver 3 (commandment 1) states that thou shall have no other God before me. Ver 4 and 5 (commandment 2) states that thou should not make any graven image or bow to them. Commandment 1 is not explicit to only a graven image. Why? You can have another god that does not have to be made by your own hands (graven image). For example, pagan cultures worshiped the sun, moon, trees etc as their god (these are not graven images). Commandment 2 speaks to God not wanting His people to MAKE a graven image, such as the case with the calf that was made by Israel. Aaron assisted with its manufacturing. Two separate conditions, two separate commandments. 

Be blessed in understanding.