King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 5:16 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:16 in the King James Version says “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it m... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 5:16 · KJV


Context

14

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

15

And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

16

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

17

Thou shalt not kill.

18

Neither shalt thou commit adultery.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fifth commandment 'Honour thy father and thy mother' establishes family order and generational responsibility. The Hebrew 'kaved' (honor) means to give weight, respect, and care. This is the first commandment 'with promise'—obedience brings long life and prosperity in the land (Ephesians 6:2-3). Honoring parents extends beyond childhood obedience to lifelong respect, care in old age, and perpetuating godly heritage. This command upholds family structure as foundational to societal order. Christ's perfect obedience to His parents (Luke 2:51) models this virtue.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures valued honor toward parents, but Israel's law uniquely grounded it in divine command. Severe penalties for striking or cursing parents (Exodus 21:15, 17) demonstrated this commandment's gravity. Honoring parents included providing material support in old age, respecting their authority, and preserving family reputation. Jesus condemned Pharisees who used religious loopholes (Corban) to avoid supporting elderly parents (Mark 7:9-13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does honoring parents extend beyond childhood obedience to lifelong respect and care, particularly in their old age?
  2. What does the promise of long life and prosperity teach about God's blessing upon societies that honor family structure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כַּבֵּ֤ד1 of 22

Honour

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אֶת2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָבִ֙יךָ֙3 of 22

thy father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאֶת4 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִמֶּ֔ךָ5 of 22

and thy mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר6 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוְּךָ֖7 of 22

hath commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֥ה8 of 22

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ9 of 22

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְמַ֣עַן׀10 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יַֽאֲרִיכֻ֣ן11 of 22

may be prolonged

H748

to be (causative, make) long (literally or figuratively)

יָמֶ֗יךָ12 of 22

thee that thy days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּלְמַ֙עַן֙13 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

יִ֣יטַב14 of 22

and that it may go well

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

לָ֔ךְ15 of 22
H0
עַ֚ל16 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה17 of 22

with thee in the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר18 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֥ה19 of 22

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ20 of 22

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן21 of 22

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָֽךְ׃22 of 22
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 5:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 5:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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