Deuteronomy 5:11

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, restating the covenant stipulations delivered at Sinai prior to their entry into the Promised Land.

The words — The Hebrew לֹא תִשָּׂא (lo'tisa') literally means "you shall not lift/carry," paired with שָׁוְא (shav'), denoting "emptiness" or "futility."

The thread — The prohibition appears in Exodus 20:7 and Leviticus 19:12, while Deuteronomy 6:13 functions as a positive command to swear oaths in God’s name rather than a parallel prohibition.

Why it lands — The text directly commands that God’s name be treated with absolute reverence and truthfulness, explicitly warning that false or frivolous usage will not go unpunished.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

לֹ֥אlo'not תִשָּׂ֛אti.Sa'you must take אֶת־'et-<obj.>שֵֽׁם־shem-[the] name of יְהוָ֥הYah.wehYahweh אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ'e.lo.Hei./khaGod/ your לַשָּׁ֑וְאla./Shav'for <the>/ emptiness כִּ֣יkifor לֹ֤אlo'not יְנַקֶּה֙ye.na.Kehhe will leave unpunished יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh אֵ֛ת'et<obj.>אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-[one] who יִשָּׂ֥אyi.Sa'he will take אֶת־'et-<obj.>שְׁמ֖וֹshe.M/oname/ his לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ סla./Shav'for <the>/ emptiness

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Leviticus 19:12 You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Deuteronomy 6:13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
Matthew 5:33 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Psalms 139:20 who speak of You deceitfully; Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Jeremiah 4:2 and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”