Exodus 20:12

Authorized King James Version

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Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Original Language Analysis

כַּבֵּ֥ד Honour H3513
כַּבֵּ֥ד Honour
Strong's: H3513
Word #: 1 of 15
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 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָבִ֖יךָ thy father H1
אָבִ֖יךָ thy father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 3 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִמֶּ֑ךָ and thy mother H517
אִמֶּ֑ךָ and thy mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 5 of 15
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
לְמַ֙עַן֙ H4616
לְמַ֙עַן֙
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יַֽאֲרִכ֣וּן may be long H748
יַֽאֲרִכ֣וּן may be long
Strong's: H748
Word #: 7 of 15
to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)
יָמֶ֔יךָ that thy days H3117
יָמֶ֔יךָ that thy days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 8 of 15
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
עַ֚ל H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה upon the land H127
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה upon the land
Strong's: H127
Word #: 10 of 15
soil (from its general redness)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 of 15
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
נֹתֵ֥ן giveth H5414
נֹתֵ֥ן giveth
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 14 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָֽךְ׃ H0
לָֽךְ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 15

Analysis & Commentary

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

The first command governing human relationships addresses family—society's foundation. 'Honour' (כַּבֵּד, kabbed) means 'give weight to,' treat with gravitas, respect. It's heavier than 'obey'—obedience is for children, but honor is lifelong. Adult children honor aging parents by providing care. Paul calls this 'the first commandment with promise' (Ephesians 6:2)—obeying brings blessing. 'Long days on the land' connects obedience to national survival—societies honoring family continuity thrive; those abandoning elders collapse. The land is gift ('which YHWH thy God gives thee')—tenure depends on covenant faithfulness. Christ rebukes using religious excuses to avoid parental support (Mark 7:10-13).

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued parental honor, but Israel's command is unique in directly tying national longevity to family honor. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Israel's extended family structures supporting multiple generations.

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