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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂ֥א
Thou shalt not take
H5375
יִשָּׂ֥א
Thou shalt not take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
H8034
שְׁמ֖וֹ
his name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
4 of 17
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 17
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
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
in vain
H7723
לַשָּֽׁוְא׃
in vain
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
7 of 17
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְנַקֶּה֙
will not hold him guiltless
H5352
יְנַקֶּה֙
will not hold him guiltless
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
10 of 17
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵ֛ת
H853
אֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִשָּׂ֥א
Thou shalt not take
H5375
יִשָּׂ֥א
Thou shalt not take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
14 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 5:11Thou 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.James 5:12But 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.Leviticus 19:12And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.Jeremiah 4:2And 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.Joshua 2:17And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.Joshua 2:12Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:Joshua 9:20This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.Proverbs 30:9Lest 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.Deuteronomy 10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.2 Corinthians 1:23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cultures took oaths by deity names seriously—perjury was capital offense. God's name represented His presence and power; misusing it was tantamount to blasphemy.
Questions for Reflection
- How might Christians 'take God's name in vain' without using profanity?
- What does it mean to 'carry' God's name well as a Christian in your daily life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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.
'Take in vain' (לֹא תִשָּׂא לַשָּׁוְא, lo tissa lashav) means 'carry for emptiness/falsehood'—using God's name flippantly, deceptively, or carelessly. This bans profanity, yes, but primarily perjury (swearing falsely by God's name) and hypocrisy (claiming God's name while living contrary to it). God's name represents His character; misusing it profanes His reputation. 'Will not hold guiltless' (לֹא יְנַקֶּה, lo yenaqqeh) promises inescapable accountability—no one gets away with it. The warning is solemn: bearing God's name (Christian means 'Christ-one') while living ungodly brings judgment. We carry His name; we must honor it. Our lives interpret God to watching world.