Deuteronomy 5:16 kjv
Honor thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Deuteronomy 5:16 nkjv
'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5:16 niv
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5:16 esv
"'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5:16 nlt
"Honor your father and mother, as the LORD your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 20:12 | "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long..." | The original commandment, similar blessing. |
| Lev 19:3 | "Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father..." | Emphasizes reverence and links to Sabbath keeping. |
| Prov 1:8 | "Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching..." | Calls for heeding parental wisdom. |
| Prov 6:20 | "My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching." | Reiteration of obeying parental instruction. |
| Prov 23:22 | "Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old." | Advises respecting parents, especially in old age. |
| Prov 30:11 | "There are those who curse their father and do not bless their mother!" | Highlights the wickedness of dishonoring parents. |
| Jer 35:16 | "the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command of their father..." | Example of steadfast obedience to a father's command. |
| Mt 15:3-6 | "Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?... Corban..." | Jesus condemns using religious pretexts to avoid caring for parents. |
| Mk 7:9-13 | "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!" | Parallel account of Jesus' rebuke on Corban. |
| Mt 19:19 | "Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself." | Jesus lists honoring parents among commands for eternal life. |
| Lk 18:20 | "You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’" | Another instance where Jesus affirms the command. |
| Eph 6:2-3 | "“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise)..." | Paul quotes Dt 5:16, applying it universally to Christians. |
| Col 3:20 | "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." | Reinforces children's obedience to parents. |
| 1 Tim 5:4 | "But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents..." | Christian responsibility for family care, including parents/grandparents. |
| Acts 5:29 | "We must obey God rather than men." | A critical boundary for parental obedience if it conflicts with God's will. |
| Ex 21:17 | "Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death." | Severe penalty for outright dishonor. |
| Lev 20:9 | "For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death..." | Reiterates the capital punishment for cursing parents. |
| Deut 21:18-21 | The stubborn and rebellious son: parents bring him to elders, implying severe consequences for extreme disrespect. | Consequences of consistent, severe parental rebellion. |
| Neh 9:35 | "And they did not serve you in their kingdom... neither did they obey your commandments..." | Contrasts obedience to God with obedience generally, echoing the principle of divine command. |
| Titus 3:1 | "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work..." | Broad principle of submission to rightful authority, starting with family. |
Deuteronomy 5 verses
Deuteronomy 5 16 Meaning
Deuteronomy 5:16 outlines the fifth of the Ten Commandments, instructing the people of Israel to honor their father and mother. This command extends beyond mere respect to active care and provision, reflecting a deep regard for parental authority and well-being. It is presented as a divinely issued mandate, with a clear promise of blessing for obedience: a long life and general well-being in the land God is giving them. This establishes familial reverence as fundamental to both individual flourishing and the stability of the entire covenant community in their promised inheritance.
Deuteronomy 5 16 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 5 serves as Moses' powerful recapitulation of the Ten Commandments, originally given at Mount Horeb (Sinai). This address is delivered to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they are to enter the Promised Land. It is not merely a repetition but a re-affirmation and exposition, emphasizing the covenant between Yahweh and Israel, and detailing the foundational laws that will govern their life in the land. The commands are presented as direct expressions of God's character and His will for a holy people. The fifth commandment, honoring parents, uniquely bridges the "vertical" commands concerning loyalty to God (Deuteronomy 5:6-11) and the "horizontal" commands concerning proper relations within the community (Deuteronomy 5:17-21). It establishes the primary human authority structure upon which a godly society is built, making it essential for Israel's prosperity in the land God promised them.
Deuteronomy 5 16 Word analysis
- "Honor" (כַּבֵּד, kabbed)
- Meaning: This is the Pi'el imperative of the Hebrew root כָּבַד (kabad), which literally means "to be heavy" or "to give weight/honor." It implies much more than just a polite acknowledgement; it signifies attributing substantial value, worth, and respect to parents. It calls for tangible actions such as providing for their needs, obeying their instruction (in accord with God's law), and showing them high regard in words and deeds. It’s an active verb requiring thoughtful engagement, mirroring the honor one owes to God Himself.
- "your father and your mother" (אָבִיךָ וְאִמֶּךָ, avikha v'imsekha)
- Significance: This phrase establishes the family unit as the foundational authority structure divinely instituted. The inclusion of both father and mother equally emphasizes the shared parental authority and responsibility. It transcends patriarchal norms, granting mothers equal respect and honor, vital for the stability of any household and, by extension, the entire community.
- "as the Lord your God commanded you" (כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוְּךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, ka'asher tzivv'kha Yahweh Eloheikha)
- Meaning: This phrase directly grounds the command in divine authority. It stresses that this is not a societal convention or human suggestion, but a direct imperative from the covenant-keeping God. It elevates the duty to parents to the level of ultimate divine obligation. This differentiates it slightly from the Exodus version by explicitly reiterating the source of the command.
- "that your days may be long" (לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ, l'ma'an ya'arikhun yameikha)
- Meaning: This promise signifies a full, prosperous, and satisfying life, not merely an extended lifespan. In ancient Israelite thought, a long life was often seen as a sign of divine favor and blessing for those who walked in God's ways, indicative of health, provision, and peace.
- "and that it may go well with you" (וּלְמַעַן יִיטַב לָךְ, u'l'ma'an yiytaav lakh)
- Meaning: This additional promise ensures general well-being, success, prosperity, and contentment. It covers all aspects of a good and flourishing life, encompassing more than just longevity. It is often understood as a promise of peace (shalom) and divine favor in all endeavors.
- "in the land that the Lord your God is giving you" (עַל־הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ, al-ha'adamah asher Yahweh Eloheikha nothen lakh)
- Significance: This phrase connects individual and familial obedience directly to the national promise and inheritance. Israel's continued occupancy and prosperity in the Promised Land (Canaan) were conditional on their covenant faithfulness, including adherence to laws that promoted social order, starting with the family. It implies that a nation that honors its elders and foundational family units will experience collective blessing in their God-given heritage.
Deuteronomy 5 16 Bonus section
The specific phrasing in Deuteronomy 5:16 offers subtle differences from the parallel commandment in Exodus 20:12. Deuteronomy adds "as the Lord your God commanded you," explicitly emphasizing the divine source for this generation poised to enter the land. It also separates the promises slightly: "that your days may be long" and "that it may go well with you in the land." This expanded blessing underscores God's desire for the complete well-being—longevity and general prosperity—of those who maintain a strong, reverent family structure within the covenant land. The commandment highlights that a properly functioning household, rooted in reverence for parents, serves as a microcosm of a healthy society obedient to God's broader laws. Disregard for this foundational command invariably leads to social decay, spiritual barrenness, and a diminished collective life.
Deuteronomy 5 16 Commentary
Deuteronomy 5:16 is not just a polite suggestion but a divine command, foundational for Israel’s existence and a pattern for all who follow God. The verb "honor" (kabbed) implies more than respect; it signifies giving "weight" or substance to parents through active care, support, and recognition of their position. This honor is lifelong, encompassing their old age and continued guidance. By placing this command between those related to God and those related to neighbor, God emphasizes the family as the basic unit where worship and societal ethics are first lived out. It is through respecting parental authority, a delegated authority from God, that individuals learn to respect divine authority and societal order. The dual promise of "long days" and "well-being" is not merely personal; it reflects the corporate flourishing of a people whose core social units, the families, operate in accordance with divine wisdom. This command forms the bedrock for stable homes, a cohesive community, and a nation truly blessed by God in their inherited land. Examples of practical application include caring for elderly parents, heeding their wise counsel, and providing for their needs in declining years, recognizing their contribution and continued role in family life.