King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'You are not to misuse the name of ADONAI your God, because ADONAI will not leave unpunished someone who misuses his name.
Berean Standard Bible:
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
American Standard Version:
Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain: for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Thou shalt not take{H5375} the name{H8034} of the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430} in vain{H7723}: for the LORD{H3068} will not hold him guiltless{H5352} that taketh{H5375} his name{H8034} in vain{H7723}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 20:7
- 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.
Leviticus 19:12
- And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
Deuteronomy 6:13
- Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
James 5:12
- ¶ But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Matthew 5:33
- ¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
Matthew 5:34
- But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
Jeremiah 4:2
- And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
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Commentary for Deuteronomy 5:11
Deuteronomy 5:11 is part of the second rendering of the Ten Commandments in the Bible, the first being in Exodus 20. These commandments are foundational to Jewish religious law and have deeply influenced Christian ethics and Western legal systems. The verse addresses the proper respect for God's name, emphasizing that it should not be used irreverently or frivolously—a prohibition often understood as a broader injunction against casual or insincere oaths and speech that might diminish the sanctity of God's name.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and the Israelites shortly before they entered the Promised Land. Moses, having led the people out of Egypt, reiterates the law to ensure the people's faithful observance in their new life ahead. The commandment reflects the ancient Israelite belief that names were deeply connected to the essence and power of the person or deity they represented. To take God's name in vain was to misuse that power, to treat it as common or to break trust with God, which was a serious offense in their covenantal bond.
In Jewish tradition, this commandment is understood as a call to sanctify God's name through sincere worship and ethical behavior, as well as to avoid desecrating it through blasphemy, false oaths, or hypocrisy. The broader implication is that one's words and actions should always reflect the reverence and respect due to the divine, and that there are serious consequences for failing to uphold this standard. The verse serves as a reminder that the relationship with God is not to be taken lightly, and that the way one speaks about or invokes God carries significant moral and spiritual weight.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5375
There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשָׂא
Transliteration: nâsâʼ
Pronunciation: naw-saw'
Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H7723
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁוְא
Transliteration: shâvᵉʼ
Pronunciation: shawv
Description: or שַׁו; from the same as שׁוֹא in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain); false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. - Strong's Number: H5352
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָקָה
Transliteration: nâqâh
Pronunciation: naw-kaw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e. extirpated; acquit [idiom] at all, [idiom] altogether, be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, [idiom] by no means, be quit, be (leave) unpunished, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] wholly.