King James Version
Exodus 20:7 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Exodus 20:7 · KJV
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
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.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
KJV Study — Public Domain
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“Thou shalt not take”
H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“his name”
H8034an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
“for the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
“thy God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“in vain”
H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“will not hold him guiltless”
H5352to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
“for the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“Thou shalt not take”
H5375to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“his name”
H8034an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
“in vain”
H7723evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Exodus 20:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 20:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge