Passages in View:

 

“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 take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

(Deuteronomy 5:11 KJV)

 

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”

(Matthew 6:9 KJV)

 

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

(Exodus 20:7 NASB)

 

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

(Deuteronomy 5:11 NASB)

 

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’”

(Matthew 6:9 NASB)

 

Introduction:

 

One of the most recognized commandments from the Ten Commandments is the phrase “do not take the name of the Lord in vain,” and yet, not many truly understand what it means. In this article, we will analyze these verses above and determine what the meaning of this verse is:

Exodus 20:7 & Psalms 24:4

 

In Exodus 20:7 there is the first command by God to not use His name in vain. In Exodus 20 Moses records God’s giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, immediately after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. What can help determine what this commandment truly means, we can look to other verses that use the Hebrew word “vain” and see how their contexts may shed light on the definition.

 

 “One who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit (laš·šāw), And has not sworn deceitfully.”

(Psalm 24:4 NASB)

 

“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity (laš·šāw), nor sworn deceitfully.”

(Psalm 24:4 KJV)

 

In Psalm 24, dictates true worship and how only people characterized by righteous deeds and pure thoughts may enter the place where the glorious King of the Universe dwells. Verse 4 states that such a person has not lifted up his soul into vanity or deceit. This means that people who have not lusted after worthless things, whose desires are subdued, brought into captivity to the Law of God, and kept under strict control.

 

Therefore, vain seems to mean worthless. This means that Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 mean to not make God’s name worthless.

How can we make God’s name worthless?

 

Here is a few examples:

 

•By swearing falsely in His name (Leviticus 19:12).

•By using His name for deceit or empty purposes (Psalm 24:4).

•By profaning His name through sinful actions (Leviticus 22:32).

•By blaspheming or cursing His name (Leviticus 24:15–16).

 

Conclusion:

 

Finally, Matthew 6:9 repeats the commandment that we need to respect God’s name and not make it worthless. Matthew 6:9 is a part of the Sermon of the Mount in which Jesus teaches how to live righteously. In Matthew 6:5–8, Jesus warns against hypocritical prayer by praying to be seen by others or using empty repetition. Verse 9 begins the model prayer, often called the Lord’s Prayer. The word translated “hallowed” is hagiasthētō (from hagiazō), meaning to sanctify, set apart, treat as holy. If we do not treat God’s name as holy, and therefore make it worthless, then we are breaking Matthew 6:9 and Exodus 20:7.