Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to Israel at Sinai, delivering the third commandment of the Decalogue between the covenant-loyalty promise (v. 6) and the Sabbath command (v. 8).
The words — לַשָּׁוְא (la.shav') means "for emptiness" or "for nothing"; it names the target the command forbids, not merely the act of speaking. The verb תִּשָּׂא (ti.Sa') literally means "you shall lift or carry," framing the misuse as bearing God's name into a void.
The thread — Deuteronomy 5:11 repeats the command in the second giving of the law; Leviticus 19:12 narrows it to false oaths; James 5:12 extends it to all swearing.
Why it lands — It forbids treating God's name as a tool for empty speech and states the consequence without hedging: God will not leave it 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
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
- 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.
- Leviticus 19:12 You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am 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.
- 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.’
- Psalms 50:14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
- 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.”
- Joshua 9:20 This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”
- Matthew 26:63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
- Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign
- Joshua 2:17 The men said to her, “We will not be bound by this oath you made us swear