You Shall Not Take God's Name in Vain

Illustration of You Shall Not Take God's Name in Vain

The third commandment guards the holiness of God's name, forbidding its empty, false, or irreverent use. To bear God's name is to represent him, so misusing it - in false oaths, careless speech, or hollow worship - profanes the One it names. The command calls for reverence in all our speaking of and for God.

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Strongest connections in Scripture
Exodus 20

Key Passages

The Third Commandment

Exodus 20:7

'Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain' - guarding the holiness of God's name.

T7hou 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.

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Did You Know?

1

Ancient Israel so revered God's name (YHWH) that scribes stopped pronouncing it aloud.

2

The command covers false oaths and empty, irreverent use - not just profanity.

3

To bear God's name is to represent him, so misusing it misrepresents him.

4

It is the only one of the ten that adds 'the LORD will not hold him guiltless.'