Deuteronomy 5:11
Deuteronomy 5:11 in Multiple Translations
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 the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh 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.
You are not to make use of the name of the Lord your God for an evil purpose; whoever takes the Lord's name on his lips for an evil purpose will be judged as a sinner by the Lord.
You must not use the name of the Lord your God in a wrong way, for the Lord will not forgive anyone who uses his name in a wrong way.
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine: for the Lord will not holde him giltlesse that taketh his Name in vaine.
'Thou dost not take up the Name of Jehovah thy God for a vain thing, for Jehovah doth not acquit him who taketh up His Name for a vain thing.
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.
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 the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for he shall not be unpunished that taketh his name upon a vain thing.
Do not use/speak my name carelessly (OR, for wrong/evil purposes), because I am Yahweh God, the one whom you should worship, and I will certainly punish those who use/speak my name for wrong/evil purposes [LIT].
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 5:11
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Deuteronomy 5:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 5:11
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 5:11
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 5:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:11
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:11
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:11
Context — The Ten Commandments
11You 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.
12Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. 13Six days you shall labor and do all your work,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 20:7 | 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. |
| 2 | Leviticus 19:12 | You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 6:13 | Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. |
| 4 | James 5:12 | Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment. |
| 5 | Matthew 5:33–34 | Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; |
| 6 | Jeremiah 4:2 | and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.” |
| 7 | Psalms 139:20 | who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain. |
Deuteronomy 5:11 Summary
This verse is reminding us to use God's name with respect and care, and not to use it thoughtlessly or as a curse word. When we use God's name, we should do so with reverence and honor, as He is the all-powerful and loving Creator of the universe, as seen in Psalm 8:1. By being mindful of our words and actions, we can show our love and respect for God, and avoid taking His name in vain, as cautioned in Exodus 20:7. This helps us to have a deeper appreciation for God's holiness and majesty, and to live in a way that brings glory to His name, as encouraged in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to take the name of the LORD in vain?
Taking the name of the LORD in vain means using God's name carelessly, thoughtlessly, or with disrespect, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:11, and is also warned against in Exodus 20:7 and Leviticus 19:12.
Is it a sin to say 'oh my God' in everyday conversation?
While it may seem like a casual expression, saying 'oh my God' can be a form of taking the name of the LORD in vain, as it can be a thoughtless or irreverent use of God's name, and is therefore something to be mindful of in our daily conversations, as cautioned in Deuteronomy 5:11 and Exodus 20:7.
How can I avoid taking the name of the LORD in vain in my daily life?
To avoid taking the name of the LORD in vain, we should be mindful of our words and actions, and strive to use God's name with reverence and respect, as commanded in Deuteronomy 5:11, and also consider the example of Jesus' teachings on the importance of our words in Matthew 12:36-37.
What is the punishment for taking the name of the LORD in vain?
According to Deuteronomy 5:11, the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain, emphasizing the seriousness of this sin, and highlighting the importance of reverence and respect for God's name, as also seen in Psalm 138:2.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I use the name of the LORD in my daily conversations, and are there any changes I need to make to use His name more reverently?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and respect for God's name in my heart and mind, as commanded in Deuteronomy 5:11?
- What are some practical ways I can honor God's name in my words and actions, and what impact can this have on my relationships with others, as seen in Colossians 3:17?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of my language and tone when speaking about God or to God, and how can I use my words to bring glory to His name, as encouraged in Psalm 34:3?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:11
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:11
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:11
Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Humble Thyself by Gbile Akanni | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of humility and avoiding pride in our actions and achievements. He warns against seeking personal glory and attention instead |
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Jacob by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the life of Jacob and his journey from a man who began well but ended up in a state of spiritual degeneration. The preacher emphasizes that t |
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Kirk Cameron Testimony by Kirk Cameron | The video begins with the speaker introducing a gospel track that serves as an icebreaker and a tool for sharing the gospel message. He explains how the track uses an optical illus |
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Change Our Heart's - Part 3 by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining God's glory before the people. He warns that neglecting to do so will result in God bringing judgment upon thos |
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(Through the Bible) Exodus 19-20 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a right relationship with God in order to have a right relationship with others. He explains that the first law is |
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Houston Colonial Hills Conference 1995-05 Joshua 24:14 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making decisions in life, particularly decisions that align with God's will. He encourages listeners to be people of prayer |
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The Message of Baptism by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being baptized and making a public profession of faith. He compares the seriousness of being baptized to the high crimes of |







