Thou shalt have no other Gods before me?

Question

Doesn't this indicate that there are other Gods?

Answer 1

It does (in my opinion). You should read the old testement from begining to end. It is fun. There is also a verse in the NT where it says something like "there are many gods". Where was that again? Ah, here you go. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%208:5;&version=9;

Answer 2

David states explicitly that, "among the Gods, not one is like you Lord," in Psalm 86. What is very interesting is the use of Lord. In the language of David's time, Lord would have been Baal or Bél. A name much denigrated by the New testament compilers.

I've found many in my search, but I'll just place one more from 1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called Gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be Gods many, and Lords many,)
8:6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom
[are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by
whom [are] all things, and we by him.

I would say this gives evidence of Christians in denial, but admitting the reality of other Gods and Lords.

Answer 3

Biblical scholars that I've read talk about this. For a long time Jews thought there were many gods but they only worshiped one god. This was called 'monolotry'. Later they thought there was only one god, and that was 'monotheism'.

And consider that when Moses came down the mountain with these commandments, the Hebrews were already worshipping a golden calf!

Answer 4

In other words God meant to say thou shall not commit idoltry. People make up their own gods to worship them. Like in the story of moses when he freed the Hebrew slaves and they were in the wilderness when Moses went up Mt. Sinai to recieve the 10 commandments from God. When he came back down the people were worshiping a golden calf, false idol/or god made out of gold. So that is what God means by "thou shall not have no other gods before me." Idols are false and fake gods...

Answer 5

Of course that's what it meant at the time, and can still be seen so today. dont forget that the israelites came from a country where everything was a diety, and KNEW that there were other gods.
the choice made by a person who adheres to the god of Abraham is to deny all other gods and worship only one.

Answer 6

Anything we put before God can be considered something we worship. cars, clothes, TV. ect idolatry , gods...
“The phrase ‘before me’ in the familiar translation ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’ is the Hebrew phrase ‘al-panai, which means ‘in front of’—either to the exclusion of another or ‘in preference,’ or ‘in addition to.’ The meaning is clear: those who worship the Lord should not make or adopt any other object to worship.” In both the first and second commandments, we are taught not to put anything above God in our lives. We understand that the Lord is pleased to bless us with material necessities and pleasures. The problem comes when we worship the created instead of the Creator.

Answer 7

+PAX

I believe God is saying that we will not worship other gods such as the multiple gods of Egypt, or nature, or Satan or anything else that someone might call a god or Deity. That He is the only true God.

Benedicite,
J

For Jesus M---- We do not worship statues or pictures or any other inanimate object. They obviously are not God. Do you have pictures of your family in your wallet or house up on the wall? Do you have a photo album. Do you worship those images? I doubt it. Please, check the facts before you post about Catholics..

Said in Charity,
J.

Answer 8

Hey, I asked this very question...in 1 Corinthians(not sure of the chapter or verse)...there are many mentions of 'other gods'

In Psalms 86 King David is praying to God and mentions other gods. Many people say other gods are like money, statues, etc...but god didn't say not to worship the money god he said not to be greedy....but difference there.

I believe, as Christians, we can and do believe in other gods...but we just are told not to worship them.

Answer 9

hello epona.
i believe i have asked a question similar to this a couple of times but never received any decent answers.
it sure sounds like it indicates that there are other gods or why would there be a need to warn against it?
the bible also says that he is a jealous god... if there is only one god then what is there to be jealous of?

Answer 10

What they used to do in the old testament and even now a days was build idols of false gods. they would make all these different statues... like in the book of Daniel.. and also in the book of either exodus or Deuteronomy. after making these statues people would worship them.. and call them Gods.. which is why God said.."thou shalt not have other Gods before me... if you keep reading he also says:

Exodus 20:4-5
4Thou 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.

5Thou 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;