The incorrect 10 Commandments in Ilonggo (Hiligaynon)

I photographed this giant Ten Commandments tablet at the St. Nicolas of Tolentino Parish in Guimbal, Iloilo. Locals simply this church as Guimbal church.

Though the incorrect part is the second commandment, in English should be “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, in the water or under the earth.” But since it contradicts the Catholic church practice, they had to revise.

Anyway here it is, all the words are written in Hiligaynon, the local language of the island.

Ang Napulo ka Sugo sang Dios

1. Magtuo ka sa Dios kag magsimba sa iya lamang.
2. Dili mo paghingalanan ang Ngalan sang Dios sa walay kapuslanan.
3. Pakasantuson mo ang adlaw sang Ginoo
4. Tahura ang Imo Amay kag iloy.
5. Dili ka magpatay.
6. Dili ka magpakasala batok sa pagkaulay.
7. Dili ka magpangawat.
8. Dili ka magbutig.
9. Dili ka magkaluyag sa asawa sang imo isigkatawo.
10. Dili ka magkaibog sang mga manggad sang imo isigkatawo.

Thanks to AirAsia for bringing us to Iloilo City, via Cagayan de Oro City.


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  • You say it is incorrect because you are following the Protestant/Reformed/Calvinist numbering of the Ten Commandments. The prohibition against graven images is under the First Commandment, according to the Catholic numbering (This numbering, by the way, is also followed by the Lutherans). If you read closely Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:4–21, the number of imperative statements (e.g. You shall not have other gods before me, You shall not make a graven image…) are more than ten in number. God did not explicitly tell Moses that “this is the first commandment; this is the second commandment; this is the third, fourth, … tenth commandment”. Take note that different religious traditions divide these into ten; the purpose being to aid in memorization. It is very certain, however, that Jesus explicitly summarized these into two: “love the Lord your God—this is the first commandment; love your neighbor—this is the second commandment” (Matthew 22:35–40, Mark 12:28–34)

    Another thing, before you accuse your Catholic compatriots of idolatry and “changing the commandments”, remember that the same God who prohibit “graven idols” also commanded Moses to make images for God’s temple (Exodus 25:18–22). In other words, God did not forbid ALL kinds of images, only false gods. And saints are not false gods, either, because Catholics honor saints in the same way as Filipinos honor heroes. Heroes are honored because their lives exemplify Filipino values; Saints are honored because their lives exemplify Christ’s command to love God and neighbor.

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