Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have.

It is to be remarked, both here and elsewhere throughout the decalogue, that the address is made in the singular and not in the plural number. The design of this is undoubtedly to render the language in the highest degree emphatic. Every individual to whom this law comes is to consider himself as being as directly and personally addressed as though it had been spoken to him alone. "Thou art the man." Xenophon said of Cyrus that when he gave anything in command, he never said, Let some one do this; but, Do thou this.-- Trapp.

No other gods before me.

The original form of the expression is here worthy of attention. "There shalt not be to thee other gods upon thy face." Here it is demanded that the non-existence of other gods be recognized. This presupposes the affirmative of such non-existence.-- Murphy. The first commandment in its negative form refers to the unity of God. It enjoins the owning of this unity. It is, therefore, against polytheism. This precept is of universal obligation.