Leviticus 19 12

Leviticus 19:12 kjv

And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12 nkjv

And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12 niv

"?'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12 esv

You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12 nlt

"Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19 verses

Leviticus 19 12 Meaning

Leviticus 19:12 prohibits two specific acts of dishonor against God: first, taking an oath or swearing an affirmation using God's name for a deceitful or false purpose; and second, generally treating the name of God as common, disrespectful, or unclean, thus desecrating His sacred identity. The concluding declaration, "I am the LORD," serves as the divine authority and absolute basis for these commandments, emphasizing God's sovereign holiness and His rightful demand for reverence from His people.

Leviticus 19 12 Context

Leviticus chapter 19 is a pivotal portion of what scholars term the "Holiness Code" (chapters 17-26). It serves as a practical exposition of the overarching command given in Leviticus 19:2, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." The chapter systematically applies this principle of holiness to the daily lives of the Israelites, encompassing various spheres: religious rituals, social justice, sexual morality, commercial honesty, and personal integrity. Leviticus 19:12 is embedded within a series of ethical commands concerning truthfulness, honesty, and justice, following prohibitions against stealing, dealing falsely, and lying to one another (v. 11), and immediately preceding instructions regarding justice for neighbors and avoiding slander (v. 13-14). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, oaths were integral to legal processes, business agreements, and social guarantees. They invoked deities as witnesses and enforcers of the truth. Thus, a false oath in God's name was not merely a lie, but a direct affront to God's character as Truth, an abuse of His authority, and an act that would profane His very identity in a world saturated with the names of other gods.

Leviticus 19 12 Word analysis

• וְלֹא תִשָּׁבְעוּ (ve'lo tishave'u) - "And you shall not swear/take an oath."

  • וְלֹא (ve'lo): "And not" or "Nor shall you." A strong negative particle, indicating a direct prohibition.
  • תִשָּׁבְעוּ (tishave'u): This is the plural imperfect form of the verb שָׁבַע (shava'), meaning "to swear, to take an oath." It carries the connotation of a formal, weighty declaration, often calling upon a higher power as a witness or guarantor. The plural address ("you all") emphasizes this as a communal obligation for all Israelites. In biblical context, swearing by God's name was not inherently wrong if truthful; the sin lies in the "falsely" aspect.

• בִשְׁמִי (bishmi) - "by My name."

  • בִּ (bi-): The prefix preposition "in" or "by." Here it indicates the means or authority by which the oath is taken.
  • שְׁמִי (sh'mi): "My name." From שֵׁם (shem), "name," with the first-person singular suffix "-i." In Hebrew thought, a "name" represents the essence, character, and reputation of a person. To swear by God's name means to invoke His very being, His holiness, and His power as the truth-guarantor of the statement.

• לַשָּׁקֶר (lashaker) - "falsely" / "for falsehood."

  • לַ (la-): The prefix preposition "to" or "for."
  • שָּׁקֶר (shaqer): "falsehood," "lie," "deceit." This noun denotes that which is untrue, deceptive, or based on a lie. Thus, an oath "for falsehood" is an oath sworn with intent to deceive or assert an untruth, fundamentally violating the truthfulness inherent in God's character.

• וְלֹא תְחַלֵּל (ve'lo techallel) - "nor shall you profane/desecrate."

  • וְלֹא (ve'lo): "And not" or "Nor shall you." Another strong prohibition.
  • תְחַלֵּל (techallel): The singular imperfect form of the Piel verb חָלַל (chalal), meaning "to profane," "to defile," "to desecrate," "to make common." This verb is the opposite of קָדַשׁ (qadash), "to make holy" or "to set apart." Profaning God's name implies treating what is sacred as ordinary, irreverent, or associating it with that which is unholy or debased. This can occur through actions, words, or conduct that undermine God's dignity and unique status. While the verb here is singular, it extends to the entire community.

• אֶת־שֵׁם אֱלֹהֶיךָ (et-shem Eloheikha) - "the name of your God."

  • אֶת (et-): A direct object marker.
  • שֵׁם (shem): "name."
  • אֱלֹהֶיךָ (Eloheikha): "your God." From אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), the general word for God/gods, with the second-person singular possessive suffix "-eikha," meaning "your" (singular male). This phrase underscores the personal relationship and covenant God has with each individual Israelite, making the profaning of His name a personal offense to "your" God.

• אֲנִי יְהוָה (Ani YHWH) - "I am the LORD."

  • אֲנִי (Ani): "I." A strong, emphatic pronoun for the first person.
  • יְהוָה (YHWH): The Tetragrammaton, God's unique, covenant name, often rendered "LORD" in English translations (by tradition, not spoken aloud by Jews, who substitute Adonai). This is a declaration of divine identity, self-existence, and supreme authority. It functions as the ultimate grounding for the command, indicating that these commands are not mere human statutes but flow directly from the nature and sovereign will of the one true God, YHWH.

Words-group analysis:

• "You shall not swear by My name falsely": This specific prohibition targets the abuse of a solemn religious act. It's not a ban on oaths themselves, which were a common practice (and even required in certain legal contexts in Israel, e.g., Ex 22:11, Num 5:19-22). The sin lies in the intentional deceit, bringing the integrity of God's name into question. It signifies an attempt to use divine authority to sanction a lie, making God a party to falsehood, which directly contradicts His truthful nature (Num 23:19).
• "nor shall you profane the name of your God": This extends the prohibition beyond formal oaths. "Profane" covers a broader spectrum of irreverence. It can include blasphemy (open contempt), treating God's name lightly, or conducting one's life in a manner that disgraces or misrepresents God's holiness to the world (Ezek 36:20-23). The transition from "My name" (referring to God directly speaking) to "the name of your God" emphasizes the personal accountability and relational aspect; it's a breach of covenantal relationship with the God who has personally chosen "your" people. The dual nature of the address (plural "swear" but singular "profane" and "your God") suggests both communal and individual responsibility in maintaining the sanctity of God's name.
• "I am the LORD": This is God's recurring self-attestation throughout the Holiness Code and other parts of the Torah. It serves as the ultimate divine sanction and motivation for obedience. It asserts God's exclusive authority, unchanging nature, and unique power as the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It implies: "Because of who I am—your covenant LORD, the sole true God—you are obligated to live in holiness, honoring My name above all." This phrase positions the command within the larger narrative of God's election of Israel and His revelation of Himself.

Leviticus 19 12 Bonus section

The emphasis on "My name" (YHWH) and "the name of your God" (Eloheikha) in this verse highlights a dynamic tension. "My name" directly evokes the Tetragrammaton, stressing God's revealed, personal, covenantal identity and demanding reverence because of who He is. "The name of your God" speaks to the personal, relational aspect of this covenant, making the offense not just against God generally but against the God to whom you are in relationship, highlighting personal accountability. The consequence for profaning God's name, as seen elsewhere (Lev 22:32), is death—underscoring the gravity with which God views the sanctity of His identity. The shift from the plural "you shall swear" to the singular "you shall profane" and "your God" within the same verse may serve as a rhetorical device to shift focus from a corporate responsibility regarding oaths (as often communal acts) to a deeply personal, individual responsibility for maintaining the sanctity of God's name through one's life. This profound emphasis on the name of God is pervasive throughout the Old Testament, where the name is virtually synonymous with God's character, presence, and power, making its desecration a direct assault on God Himself.

Leviticus 19 12 Commentary

Leviticus 19:12 distills fundamental principles of honoring God. The command against false swearing directly tackles an integrity issue at the heart of any just society, elevating truthfulness by invoking the highest divine witness. A false oath in the name of YHWH fundamentally misrepresents Him, aligning Him with deceit, which is contrary to His immutable character (Heb 6:18). This isn't just about individual lying; it's about publicly dragging God's sacred name into complicity with unrighteousness.

The broader prohibition against "profaning the name of your God" expands this reverence beyond mere spoken oaths to one's entire life and conduct. To profane means to treat as common or impure that which is consecrated or holy. This can manifest in blasphemous speech, but also through actions that undermine God's reputation or the integrity of His people. For example, injustice, moral failure, or hypocrisy on the part of God's covenant people could lead to His name being despised among surrounding nations, effectively profaning Him (Rom 2:24). This principle holds immense significance, reminding us that our lives as believers should reflect the holiness and truth of God, bearing witness to Him positively rather than causing His name to be dishonored in the world. The underlying premise, "I am the LORD," demands that His people reflect His absolute truth, justice, and holiness in their words and deeds because His identity and character are at stake.

Practical usage:

• This verse calls believers to integrity: speaking truth in all contexts, avoiding flippant use of God's name, and living lives that honor rather than diminish His reputation.
• It challenges those in leadership or public roles within the church to ensure their conduct reflects God's holiness, knowing that their actions impact the perception of Christ's name.
• It discourages using Christian terminology or symbols for personal gain or deceptive purposes.