Exodus 20:7

Posted on by admin

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

The third commandment forbids the misuse of God’s name. The name “Yahweh” is regarded by religious Jews to this day as so sacred that readers of the Hebrew Bible do not pronounce it aloud lest they be found in violation of this command. Instead they read another word, adonai, Hebrew for “lord or master,” in its place. The common English translation of the name as “Lord” goes back to ancient Greek-speaking Hebrews, who rendered the name as kyrios (“lord”). However, in Exodus, the command does not forbid the pronunciation of God’s name but rather its misuse in oath-taking by swearing an oath and then failing to keep it.

The NKJ translation of this verse is actually a little more detailed than the NIV. So let’s look at Exodus 20:7 as translated in the NKJ.

  • Exodus 20:7 (NKJ) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. It is helpful to define four words used in this command: take, name, vain, and guiltless.

Take: “You shall not take”Several Hebrew words are translated into the English word “take,” but this one means “lift up,” “bear,” “carry,” “use,” or “appropriate.”

Name: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”. The Hebrew root denotes something high or elevated, a monument implying majesty or excellence. It is an outstanding mark, sign, or reputation. Thus “name” is a word by which a person, place, or thing is distinctively known. A name identifies, signifies, and specifies.

Vain: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”. The underlying Hebrew word suggests emptiness, futility, and/or falsehood. It implies lacking in reality, value, or truth. Its single-word synonyms—depending upon the context—are “futile,” “worthless,” “profane,” “foolish,” “reproachful,” “curse,” “blaspheme,” “purposeless,” “useless,” “inconsequential,” “unsubstantial,” and “vaporous.”

Guiltless: “the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” This word indicates “free,” “clear,” “innocent,” “clean,” “blameless,” “unpunished.” The NASB does translate the word as “unpunished”. This commandment, like the second, includes a warning within it. What does God mean by“will not hold anyone guiltless”? Sometimes God deliberately understates a warning as a subtle form of emphasis, which ultimately magnifies its meaning. The penalty for taking God’s name in vain would be punishment.

Exodus 20:7 “the name of the Lord your God”; a person’s name is closely associated with the person who wears it – his characteristics, his power, etc. Names meant more to the Israelites than they do to us today. The ancient Israelites came to believe that it was wrong to even use the name of Jehovah at all.

In the culture of the ancient Near East, the name one was given became ones identity. Your name represents who you are, your essence, your reputation, and your history. The Bible states that a “good name is more desirable than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught His disciples to hallow God’s name.

  • Matthew 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

To “hallow” is to consecrate something, or to set it apart. Thus, the language we use to address God must be done with reverence and awe. We can also take God’s name in vain when we use profanity, as profanity calls into question who God is and what He has done. Profaning the name of God is to show ultimate disrespect and dishonor for the One who created us.

To misuse God’s name is also understood to mean blasphemy, though it can mean more. The Hebrew phrase translated in the NIV “misuse” contains two ideas: (1) something deceptive – like false testimony, and (2) something empty or hollow. Misusing God’s name is to devalue His name by using it in a frivolous or deceptive way.

The third command also had to do with taking oaths. The New Testament speaks to this aspect of the third command in Matthew 5:33 and James 5:12.

  • Matthew 5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’

Oaths, or vows were common among the ancient Hebrews but Jesus told His followers not to use them. Jesus went on to say in Matthew 5:34-37: But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. James emphasized this in his letter, saying in James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. In both of these Scriptures what is being condemned is the flippant use of God’s name to guarantee the truth of what was spoken.

Although the third command addresses our speech, it actually has more to do with our walk than our talk. To “take” the name of the Lord God is actually to “bear” or “carry” the name of the Lord.  Acts 2:38 says “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ”. The word “in” can just as correctly be translated as “into,” meaning that we are immersed into the name of Jesus Christ. We now bear that name! We have taken that name! Baptism and the receipt of the Holy Spirit are the entrance into that name and all it implies! We have entered into the Family of God! Just as a son bears his father’s name, God’s name is our spiritual family name.

This comes with great responsibility. To speak or act in another’s name is to act as that person’s agent. To be called by another’s name implies that person’s ownership (“you were bought at a price” – 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23). When you bear God’s name you fall under His authority and protection. Since we, as children of God, now bear His name, we witness for God both as individuals, leading our lives, and as a body, living out God’s Word.

As children of God who have been entrusted with His mighty name we must make sure our walk and our talk are consistent. We bear a mighty name, and we cannot permit God’s name to be carried in vain. We can even more greatly come to appreciate the name of God when we stop to think of all He has done for us. Because of His faithfulness, we must bear God’s name with honor and dignity.

Paul, inspired by God, provides a distressing contrast to a right example in Romans 2:17-24: Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

By our conduct, we hallow or profane God’s name. We keep or break the third commandment the same way. This commandment sets the standard for our witness and tests its quality. God’s name is the standard. If we take the name of God and use it in any way that denies its true meaning and God’s character, we are either taking His name in vain or are on the way to doing so.

Listen to the words 1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God. People spend their lives chasing after a name that will bring them a measure of honor or notoriety. Yet, the greatest name that anyone could possibly bear has come to us freely through the person of Jesus Christ.

  • Malachi 1:11 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.

A theme that can be heard throughout the Old Testament is affirmed in Malachi 1:11 – “My name will be great among the nations”. God had a chosen people, the Israelites, through whom He planned to bless the whole world through Christ. Christians are now His chosen people (1 Peter 2:9) and our pure offering to the Lord is our new life in Christ (see Roman 12:1). The very next verse, Romans 12:2 tells us to not conform to the pattern of this world. When a person claims to be a Christian yet conforms to the ways of this world, they are taking God’s name in vain.

As God’s people we have the responsibility to represent God properly to the rest of the world. This was true for the Israelites and this was one reason for the Ten Commandments.  Christians today have that same responsibility because we are ambassadors for Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

How do you represent God to the world? When a person claims to be a Christian they are bearing God’s name and when a person who “bears God’s name” lives like the rest of the world, that person is misusing God’s name, they are taking God’s name in vain.

Jesus warned about claiming God’s name but not actually doing His will in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ He also decried the hypocrisy of those whose words were good but whose hearts and actions told a much different story. Matthew 15:8-9 “‘These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me. 9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Even respectful words can be used in vain by those whose lives show disrespect for God’s ways.

The third command addresses the issue of using God’s name in vain. God prohibited the misuse of His name, because it is higher and holier than any other name. God’s name is supreme among the entire universe and demands a level of dignity and respect that reflects who God is. Instead of using His name in vain with profanity, we are to reverence God and represent His name well. Jesus tells us to set the right example so people will glorify God’s name.

  • Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The third commandment is certainly against common swearing and speaking the Lord’s name in vain. However, it also includes the light or disrespectful use of any of God’s attributes or character traits. More directly than any other, the third commandment teaches how much God is to be a part of our every word, deed, and attitude.

Scriptures Used

  1. Exodus 20:7
  2. Proverbs 22:1
  3. Matthew 6:9
  4. Matthew 5:33-37
  5. James 5:12
  6. Acts 2:38
  7. Romans 2:17-24
  8. 1 John 3:2
  9. Malachi 1:11
  10. 1 Peter 2:9
  11. Romans 12:1-2
  12. 2 Corinthians 5:20
  13. Matthew 7:21-23
  14. Matthew 15:8-9
  15. Matthew 5:14-16
  16. 1 Corinthians 6:20
  17. 1 Corinthians 7:23