In the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament, God gives Moses many laws related to a whole range of matters, from taxation and slavery to instructions on building an altar and furnishing a sacred space. Out of all of those laws and instructions ten are set aside as having special significance.

These ten are described in Exodus chapter 31, verse 18 as being written with the “finger of God”, that is they are special amongst the large list of commandments and instructions.