Verses¶
Primary Verses¶
The Commandment Text¶
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.
Context (Exodus 20:1-11):
20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 20:2 I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 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. 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Deuteronomy 5:11
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.
Context (Deuteronomy 5:6-22):
5:6 I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. 5:8 Thou shalt not make thee [any] graven image... 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them... 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 5:11 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. 5:12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. ... 5:22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
Profaning God's Name -- Leviticus Passages¶
Leviticus 18:21 (Child sacrifice profanes God's name)
And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through [the fire] to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
Leviticus 19:12 (False swearing profanes God's name)
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.
Context (Leviticus 19:11-14):
19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD. 19:13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob [him]... 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD.
Leviticus 20:3 (Molech worship profanes God's holy name)
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
Leviticus 21:6 (Priests not to profane God's name)
They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, [and] the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.
Leviticus 22:2 (Priestly defilement profanes God's holy name)
Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name [in those things] which they hallow unto me: I [am] the LORD.
Leviticus 22:32 (Direct statement: neither profane, but be hallowed)
Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I [am] the LORD which hallow you,
Leviticus 24:10-16 (Narrative: blasphemy and its penalty)
24:10 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father [was] an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish [woman] and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 24:11 And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses... 24:12 And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 24:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24:14 Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 24:15 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.
False Oaths and Perjury¶
Leviticus 6:2-5 (Swearing falsely in a matter of trust)
6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; 6:3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away... 6:5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto...
Numbers 5:19-24 (The oath of the suspected wife)
5:19 And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness [with another] instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: 5:20 But if thou hast gone aside [to another] instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled... 5:21 Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing...
Jeremiah 4:2 (Positive: how to swear rightly)
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.
Jeremiah 5:2,7 (Swearing falsely by the LORD's name)
5:2 And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely. 5:7 How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods...
Jeremiah 7:8-9 (Swearing falsely among catalogue of sins)
7:8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
Conduct that Causes God's Name to Be Blasphemed¶
2 Samuel 12:14 (David's sin causes enemies to blaspheme)
Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.
Isaiah 52:5 (God's name blasphemed because of Israel's condition)
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day [is] blasphemed.
Context (Isaiah 52:5-6):
52:5 ...my name continually every day [is] blasphemed. 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore [they shall know] in that day that I [am] he that doth speak: behold, [it is] I.
Romans 2:24 (Paul quotes Isaiah: conduct profanes God's name)
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
Context (Romans 2:17-24):
2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 2:21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?... 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
1 Timothy 6:1 (Servants to honor masters so God's name is not blasphemed)
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed.
Titus 2:5 (Women to behave so God's word is not blasphemed)
[To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
False Prophecy -- Speaking in God's Name Without Authorization¶
Deuteronomy 18:18-22
18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 18:19 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him. 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 18:22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Ezekiel 13:6-9 (False prophets see "vanity" [shav] and lying divination)
13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made [others] to hope that they would confirm the word. 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken? 13:8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD. 13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies...
Jeremiah 14:13-16 (Prophets prophesying lies in God's name)
14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. 14:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not... By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
Jeremiah 23:25-27 (Prophets prophesying lies and causing people to forget God's name)
23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. 23:26 How long shall [this] be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies?... 23:27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
Blasphemy of God's Name (2 Kings, Daniel, Revelation)¶
2 Kings 19:22 (Sennacherib's blasphemy)
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy [One] of Israel.
Daniel 7:25 (The little horn speaks against the Most High)
And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (Man of sin exalts himself as God)
2:3 ...except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Revelation 13:1,5,6 (Beast with names of blasphemy)
13:1 ...and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Revelation 16:9,11,21 (Men blaspheme God during plagues)
16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Revelation 17:3 (Woman on a beast full of names of blasphemy)
...and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Jesus on Oaths¶
Matthew 5:33-37
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: 5:34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 5:37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Matthew 23:16-22 (Jesus on swearing by the temple/altar)
23:16 Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 23:17 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 23:18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 23:19 [Ye] fools and blind: for whether [is] greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 23:20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 23:21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 23:22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
James 5:12 (James echoes Jesus' teaching)
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.
"Hallowed Be Thy Name" -- The Positive Counterpart¶
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Context (Matthew 6:5-13):
6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]... 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
Luke 11:2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
The Consequence Phrase ("Will Not Hold Guiltless")¶
Exodus 34:5-7 (God proclaims His name with the same naqah phrase)
34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].
Numbers 14:18 (Moses quotes the same divine self-description)
The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].
Nahum 1:3 (Same phrase applied to Nineveh)
The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD [hath] his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.
Shav (H7723) Connections¶
Proverbs 30:7-9 (Agur's prayer connects shav to the 3rd commandment)
30:7 Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die: 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].
Psalm 24:3-4 (Shav used for "vanity" in worship context)
24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Psalm 139:19-20 (Enemies take God's name in vain)
139:19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, [and] thine enemies take [thy name] in vain.
Exodus 20:16 (The 9th commandment also uses shav in some traditions)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Note: Deu 5:20 uses shav: "Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Swearing by God's Name -- Positive Use¶
Deuteronomy 6:13
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
Deuteronomy 10:20
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
Fearing God's Name¶
Deuteronomy 28:58
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;
Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend [is] his name.
God Swearing Oaths (Hebrews 6:13-17)¶
Hebrews 6:13-17
6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife. 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath:
Cross-Testament Parallels¶
For Exodus 20:7 (OT parallels)¶
| Reference | Score | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Deuteronomy 5:11 | 0.715 | clean, name, vanity |
| Psalm 129:8 | 0.387 | name |
| Psalm 139:20 | 0.354 | vanity |
For Exodus 20:7 (NT parallels)¶
| Reference | Score | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 6:1 | 0.232 | name |
| Philippians 2:9 | 0.227 | name |
| 2 Thessalonians 1:12 | 0.226 | name |
| 1 Peter 4:16 | 0.225 | name |
For Leviticus 19:12 (OT parallels)¶
| Reference | Score | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Leviticus 18:21 | 0.478 | defile, name |
| Deuteronomy 6:13 | 0.464 | covenant, name |
| Deuteronomy 10:20 | 0.457 | covenant, name |
| Leviticus 22:32 | 0.449 | defile, name |
| Ezekiel 36:23 | 0.421 | defile, name |
For Leviticus 19:12 (NT parallels)¶
| Reference | Score | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 5:34 | 0.337 | covenant |
| Matthew 23:18 | 0.319 | covenant |
| James 5:12 | 0.315 | covenant |
| Hebrews 6:13 | 0.303 | covenant |