Deuteronomy 5:11 kjv
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Deuteronomy 5:11 nkjv
'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Deuteronomy 5:11 niv
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Deuteronomy 5:11 esv
"'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Deuteronomy 5:11 nlt
"You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Deuteronomy 5 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 20:7 | "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain..." | Parallel Commandment |
| Lev 19:12 | "You shall not swear by My name falsely..." | Specific prohibition against false oaths |
| Num 30:2 | "When a man vows a vow to the LORD... he shall not break his word" | Importance of vows made to God |
| Matt 5:33-37 | "You have heard... you shall not swear falsely... I say to you, do not swear at all" | Jesus' teaching on integrity beyond oaths |
| James 5:12 | "Above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath..." | Echoes Jesus' teaching against swearing |
| Isa 48:11 | "For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it... My glory I will not give to another." | God's protection of His name/glory |
| Ezek 36:20-23 | "When they came to the nations... My holy name was profaned among them..." | Israel profaning God's name through actions |
| Rom 2:24 | "For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'" | Jewish people's actions dishonoring God |
| Ps 139:20 | "your enemies... take your name in vain!" | Wicked use God's name to justify evil |
| Jer 14:14 | "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name..." | False prophets claiming divine authority |
| Matt 6:9 / Lk 11:2 | "Hallowed be Your name..." | Prayer seeking God's name to be honored |
| Ps 8:1 | "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" | Acknowledgment of God's glorious name |
| Ps 111:9 | "Holy and awesome is His name!" | Holiness and fear due to God's name |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name..." | Christ's exalted name |
| Col 3:17 | "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus..." | Representing Christ in all actions |
| 1 Pet 4:14 | "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed..." | Bearing Christ's name even in suffering |
| Jn 17:6 | "I have manifested Your name to the people..." | Jesus revealing the Father's character |
| 1 Jn 3:18 | "Let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and in truth." | Love demonstrated through actions, not just words |
| Nah 1:3 | "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty." | God's justice and refusal to acquit the guilty |
| Rom 3:23-26 | God's justice in not overlooking sin but justly demonstrating righteousness | Basis for God not holding the guilty guiltless |
Deuteronomy 5 verses
Deuteronomy 5 11 Meaning
Deuteronomy 5:11 prohibits the misuse or abuse of the sacred name of the LORD. It means that one should not take, utter, or carry God's name in an empty, worthless, false, or insincere manner. This applies to frivolous speech, blasphemy, swearing false oaths by His name, or representing Him in a way that devalues His holy character or authority. The verse further warns that the LORD, being just, will not acquit or hold guiltless anyone who treats His name so disrespectfully, implying severe accountability.
Deuteronomy 5 11 Context
Deuteronomy 5 presents a retelling and reaffirmation of the Ten Commandments, originally given at Mount Sinai (Horeb), to a new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. Moses addresses them directly, reminding them of the covenant established with their fathers, which now applies directly to them. This retelling underscores the foundational laws upon which their covenant relationship with the LORD would rest, setting the ethical and spiritual standard for their national life in Canaan. Verse 11, the third commandment, follows the commands to have no other gods and to make no idols (Dt 5:7-10), emphasizing proper reverence for the singular God, YHWH, in contrast to the numerous and often blasphemed gods of the surrounding pagan cultures. It establishes a standard for sincerity in worship and interaction with the divine, a crucial distinction in a world filled with idolatry and insincere invocation of deities.
Deuteronomy 5 11 Word analysis
- You shall not take: The Hebrew word for "take" is nasa (נָשָׂא), meaning to lift, bear, carry, or pronounce. It implies not just the casual uttering of the name, but also the "bearing" of God's name, as a representative would bear the name of his king or country. This includes professing to be a follower of God. The negative command establishes a strong prohibition.
- the name: The Hebrew shem (שֵׁם) signifies more than just a label. It embodies the essence, character, reputation, authority, and presence of the person. God's name (YHWH) represents His very being, His holiness, power, and covenant faithfulness.
- of the LORD: This refers to YHWH (יְהוָה), the unique, personal, covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. This name signifies His eternal, self-existent nature, and His covenant relationship with Israel. Its sacredness is paramount, setting Him apart from all false gods.
- your God: Reinforces the specific, covenantal relationship between YHWH and Israel, emphasizing that this command is given by their own divine King, to whom they owe loyalty and reverence.
- in vain: The critical Hebrew phrase is la'shav (לַשָּׁוְא). This is more profound than simply "frivolously" or "uselessly." It encompasses:
- Falsehood/Deceit: Using God's name to endorse a lie, such as swearing a false oath.
- Emptiness/Worthlessness: Uttering His name without sincerity, reverence, or purpose, for mere triviality or flippancy.
- Desolation/Ruin: Invoking His name for purposes of sorcery, curses, or claiming divine authority for one's own evil designs, thereby profaning or "emptying out" its power and meaning.
- Profanity: Bringing discredit or dishonor upon His name by actions inconsistent with His character, whether by blasphemy or hypocrisy.
- for the LORD will not hold him guiltless: The Hebrew lo yenakkeh (לֹא יְנַקֶּה) means "He will not cleanse," or "He will not acquit." This is a severe divine declaration. It underscores God's absolute justice and His unwillingness to overlook sin.
- who takes His name in vain: Repeats the offense for emphasis, stressing the direct consequence and certainty of divine retribution for this particular transgression.
Words-group analysis:
- "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain": This phrase encapsulates the core command: reverence and integrity when interacting with God's essence (His Name). It applies not just to spoken words but to every aspect of representing God—through one's actions, vows, teachings, or life. To take His name in vain is to misuse His authority, desecrate His holiness, or misrepresent His character to the world.
- "for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain": This serves as both a powerful deterrent and a theological statement. It asserts God's immutable justice; He is not merely an abstract concept but an active judge who upholds His own holiness and the terms of His covenant. There are tangible, unavoidable consequences for those who treat Him with contempt or disregard.
Deuteronomy 5 11 Bonus section
The emphasis on YHWH as "your God" (not merely "the LORD") in this commandment personalizes the divine warning. It underscores the betrayal involved when those in a covenant relationship with Him, and who bear His very name (as Israel was called God's people, Ps 144:15; Dt 26:18-19), act in ways that profane His holy character. This commandment, like the others, carries the weight of a covenant obligation, violations of which invoke covenant curses. It speaks not only to spoken words but to bearing the reputation of God – if one professes God's name, their life should authenticate it. Misusing His name implies taking His identity, character, or power, and misappropriating it for self-serving or false ends.
Deuteronomy 5 11 Commentary
Deuteronomy 5:11 is far more than a prohibition against mere expletives; it is a profound command concerning the nature of truth, reverence, and identity within God's covenant. "Taking the name of the LORD in vain" delves into the realm of misrepresenting God, whether by invoking His name in false oaths, making promises under His authority that one does not intend to keep, using His name in a trivial or empty manner, or claiming to follow Him while living a life that dishonors His character.
The essence of the command lies in respecting God's very being. Because His name encapsulates His character, power, and covenant relationship, its misuse profanes what is supremely holy. This instruction implicitly requires that God's people reflect His character in their words and deeds, for they are the ones who "bear His name" before the world. Breaking this commandment implies a disregard for God's holiness and covenant, eroding trust and demonstrating a fundamental lack of awe. The accompanying divine warning, that God "will not hold him guiltless," highlights His unwavering commitment to justice. He does not overlook such a transgression but holds the individual fully accountable, demonstrating that His holiness is to be feared and revered. In a practical sense, it calls believers to integrity in every sphere: let their "yes" be "yes," their "no" be "no," and for their lives to consistently demonstrate the truth of the God they claim to serve.