Honor Your Father and Mother

Illustration of Honor Your Father and Mother

The fifth commandment bridges the Law's two tables - moving from duty to God to duty toward others - by commanding honor for parents. It is the first commandment with a promise attached: 'that thy days may be long upon the land.' Respecting the God-given authority of parents is the foundation of a stable and blessed society.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Exodus 20

Key Passages

The Fifth Commandment

Exodus 20:12

'Honour thy father and thy mother' - the first commandment with a promise of long life in the land.

H12onour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

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Did You Know?

1

This is the first commandment with a promise attached - 'that thy days may be long.'

2

It bridges the two 'tables' of the law: duty to God and duty to people.

3

Paul quotes it in Ephesians as still binding on Christians.

4

In ancient Israel, honoring parents included caring for them in old age.