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.

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}.

"You are not to use lightly the name of ADONAI your God, because ADONAI will not leave unpunished someone who uses his name lightly. s

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.

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.

Commentary

Exodus 20:7, the Third Commandment, is a foundational directive given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, emphasizing the profound respect and reverence due to His sacred name. It states, "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." This commandment goes beyond mere profanity, encompassing the misuse of God's name in any form that diminishes its holiness or integrity.

Context

This verse is part of the Ten Commandments, delivered by God directly to Moses and the nation of Israel shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Following the directives to worship no other gods (Exodus 20:3) and to avoid idolatry (Exodus 20:4), the Third Commandment establishes proper conduct concerning God's very identity. It underscores the unique covenant relationship between God and His people, where His name represents His character, authority, and presence.

Key Themes

  • Reverence for God's Name: The core message is the sanctity of God's name. In ancient cultures, a name was intrinsically linked to the person's character, reputation, and authority. To "take the name of the LORD in vain" means to treat God's character and authority lightly, disrespectfully, or for an empty purpose.
  • Integrity of Oaths and Vows: A significant aspect of this commandment relates to swearing falsely by God's name. In a legal context, an oath sworn by God's name was binding. Using His name to deceive or make a promise one did not intend to keep was a grave offense, undermining both human trust and divine truth. This is echoed in Leviticus 19:12.
  • Authenticity in Worship and Speech: Beyond oaths, the commandment also prohibits frivolous or meaningless use of God's name in everyday speech, prayer, or worship. It calls for sincerity and earnestness when invoking the Divine.
  • Divine Accountability: The concluding phrase, "for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain," serves as a stern warning. It highlights God's justice and the serious consequences for those who disregard the holiness of His name. Such an act is not trivial; it carries divine judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "take... in vain" is nasa shav (נָשָׂא שָׁוְא). The word nasa (נָשָׂא) means "to lift, carry, bear," and shav (שָׁוְא) signifies "emptiness, vanity, falsehood, worthlessness, nothingness." Therefore, "taking God's name in vain" implies:

  • Bearing His name falsely (as a false witness).
  • Using His name for empty, worthless, or trivial purposes.
  • Invoking His name deceptively or insincerely.
The term "LORD" here refers to God's covenant name, YHWH (Yahweh), which emphasizes His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 20:7 remains profoundly relevant. It calls us to:

  • Guard Our Speech: Avoid using God's name (and titles like "Jesus Christ") as expletives or casual expressions.
  • Live with Integrity: Ensure that our actions and promises align with the character of God we claim to serve. If we invoke God's name, our lives should reflect His holiness.
  • Worship Sincerely: Approach prayer, worship, and spiritual discussions with genuine reverence and earnestness, not as a mere formality or a performance.
  • Honor God's Character: Recognize that God's name represents His entire being – His power, love, justice, and truth. To misuse His name is to dishonor Him personally. As followers of Christ, we are called to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, which implies acting in a manner worthy of His character.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 5:11 (32 votes)

    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 (22 votes)

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

  • James 5:12 (21 votes)

    ¶ 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 (9 votes)

    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 5:37 (9 votes)

    But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

  • Psalms 50:14 (8 votes)

    Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

  • Psalms 50:16 (8 votes)

    ¶ But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?