Exodus 20:6

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 20:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, etc.] And show their love by worshipping God, and him only, by serving him acceptably with reverence and godly fear, by a cheerful obedience to all his commands, by all religious exercises, both internal and external, as follows: and keep my commandments; not only this, but all others; for keeping these from right principles, and with right views, is an instance and evidence of love to God, (see <431415>John 14:15,21,23) and to such persons he shows mercy and kindness, performs acts of grace, and bestows on them blessings of goodness; and indeed it is owing to his own grace, mercy, and kindness to them, that they do love him, and from a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Hebrew name which is rendered in our King James Version as the ten commandments occurs in Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 10:4. It literally means “the Ten Words.” The Ten Commandments are also called the law, even the commandment Exodus 24:12, the words of the covenant Exodus 34:28, the tables of the covenant Deuteronomy 9:9, the covenant Deuteronomy 4:13, the two tables Deuteronomy 9:10, Deuteronomy 9:17, and, most frequently, the testimony (e. g. Exodus 16:34; Exodus 25:16), or the two tables of the testimony (e. g. Exodus 31:18). In the New Testament they are called simply the commandments (e. g. Matthew 19:17). The name decalogue is found first in Clement of Alexandria,…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“showing: Deu 4:37, Deu 5:29, Deu 7:9; Jer 32:39, Jer 32:40; Act 2:39; Rom 11:28, Rom 11:29 love me: Joh 14:15, Joh 14:21; Jo1 4:19, Jo1 5:3; Jo2 1:6 Exodus 20:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification