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.
Exodus 20:7
This command addresses the reverence due to God’s name: do not take the Lord’s name in vain. In ancient Israel, names carried weight and identity; to misuse God’s name was to misrepresent Him and to bring judgment upon the offender. The prohibition also guards against trivializing the sacred, ensuring that speech aligns with the holiness of the relationship. The broader context includes legal and ethical behavior; speech acts signal one’s allegiance and integrity before God and community. The prohibition isn’t only about profanity but about the misuse of worship, truth-telling, and promises.
This verse reinforces the holiness of God and the seriousness of language in covenant life. Names signify relationship; misusing God’s name disrupts the trust of the community and misrepresents God’s character.
- Speak with integrity about God: avoid flippant or careless use of sacred terms.
- Use God’s name responsibly in vows and commitments; be faithful to what you profess.
- Practice reverence in speech: model care in how you talk about God in public and private.
Cross-References: Leviticus 19:12; Matthew 6:9; James 5:12; Psalm 115:1; Isaiah 26:7