Deuteronomy 5:16
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Original Language Analysis
כַּבֵּ֤ד
Honour
H3513
כַּבֵּ֤ד
Honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
1 of 22
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָבִ֙יךָ֙
thy father
H1
אָבִ֙יךָ֙
thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִמֶּ֔ךָ
and thy mother
H517
אִמֶּ֔ךָ
and thy mother
Strong's:
H517
Word #:
5 of 22
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 22
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
לְמַ֣עַן׀
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן׀
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יַֽאֲרִיכֻ֣ן
may be prolonged
H748
יַֽאֲרִיכֻ֣ן
may be prolonged
Strong's:
H748
Word #:
11 of 22
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
יָמֶ֗יךָ
thee that thy days
H3117
יָמֶ֗יךָ
thee that thy days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וּלְמַ֙עַן֙
H4616
וּלְמַ֙עַן֙
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יִ֣יטַב
and that it may go well
H3190
יִ֣יטַב
and that it may go well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
14 of 22
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 of 22
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
Cross References
Exodus 20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.Colossians 3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.Deuteronomy 27:16Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.Deuteronomy 4:40Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.Leviticus 19:3Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.Mark 10:19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.Mark 7:10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:Matthew 19:19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Luke 18:20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued honor toward parents, but Israel's law uniquely grounded it in divine command. Severe penalties for striking or cursing parents (Exodus 21:15, 17) demonstrated this commandment's gravity. Honoring parents included providing material support in old age, respecting their authority, and preserving family reputation. Jesus condemned Pharisees who used religious loopholes (Corban) to avoid supporting elderly parents (Mark 7:9-13).
Questions for Reflection
- How does honoring parents extend beyond childhood obedience to lifelong respect and care, particularly in their old age?
- What does the promise of long life and prosperity teach about God's blessing upon societies that honor family structure?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The fifth commandment 'Honour thy father and thy mother' establishes family order and generational responsibility. The Hebrew 'kaved' (honor) means to give weight, respect, and care. This is the first commandment 'with promise'—obedience brings long life and prosperity in the land (Ephesians 6:2-3). Honoring parents extends beyond childhood obedience to lifelong respect, care in old age, and perpetuating godly heritage. This command upholds family structure as foundational to societal order. Christ's perfect obedience to His parents (Luke 2:51) models this virtue.