What are the Ten Commandments primarily considered to be?

The Ten Commandments are primarily considered to be the laws of the covenant between God and the Israelites. This set of commandments serves as a fundamental legal and ethical code that outlines the responsibilities and obligations of the people within their relationship with God. They are meant to be directives for moral living and social justice, establishing a standard for behavior that the faithful should strive to uphold.

These commandments play a significant role in the religious and cultural heritage of Judaism and Christianity, reflecting the values and principles that are central to these faiths. Understanding them as laws of the covenant signifies their importance in maintaining the spiritual and communal order that the commandments seek to uphold. In contrast, viewing them as guidelines for political governance, mythical stories, or merely historical accounts does not capture their essential function and significance in the religious context.