1 And God spake all these words, saying,…
7 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 20:1,7 (KJV)
What does it mean to “take the name of God in vain”?
We can know what does the third commandment mean by allowing the Bible to define it.
By using a lexicon of the Hebrew word for “vain” we see the use means emptiness, vanity, or falsehood. We can also look at other uses of the word “vain” in the Bible to confirm how the usage in Exodus 20:7 means in context.
When we misuse God’s name, or falsify who God is and what He stands for, we are dishonoring Him and showing a lack of respect to our Creator.
Misuse includes using God’s name for falsehoods, for vanity, or for hollow reasons including empty and worthless speech.
This includes blaspheming against God. Blasphemy is defined in the Bible by specific words or deeds of disrespect to God.
God’s name in the Bible in includes Yahweh from “YHWH“, Elohim, LORD or Adonai, Jesus Christ, Jehovah, and just God.
- Do not curse, use God’s name lightly or diminish the name of God (Leviticus 24:11 & 1 Kings 21:13)
- Do not insult or show contempt or lack of reverence about God (Matthew 12:31)
- Do not say you are God or claim to have the attributes of God (Matthew 26:65 & Mark 14:64 & John 10:33)
- Do not give oaths, vows or swear promises by God or by any name (Matthew 5:33-37)
- Do not give or spread false teachings or change the God’s law (1 Timothy)
- Do not be arrogant, haughty, or full of pride, thinking you are better or know better than God
Those who break this commandment will not be held guiltless by the Lord. Numbers 15:22-31 distinguishes between an unintentional sin committed in ignorance and defiant and intentional sin.
Where did the Third Commandment come from?
After God (using Moses) liberated His people from slavery in Egypt, God instructed them on how to live as a society under His rule. God, in a thick cloud from the top of Mount Sinai, spoke as a loud trumpet His laws so that Israelite people would know how to not sin, how to love God and love their neighbors as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These laws are called the Ten Commandments or the Law of Liberty (liberty from sin). Learn more about the Ten Commandments.
Related Questions:
- What does it mean to blaspheme?
- Is it OK for Christians to swear, cuss, or use bad language?
- Do Christians need to “respect” other religions and their gods?
- What is the unpardonable or unforgivable sin?
Our Adventist Life is a dedicated online evangelist and mother of two, deeply rooted in her Seventh-day Adventist faith. With over 15 years of experience in creating and optimizing digital content, she brings a unique blend of professional expertise and spiritual insight to her work. Her passion lies in exploring Biblical truths and their practical applications in daily living, self-care, and family nurturing. Through her writing, she aims to inspire and guide her readers toward a more fulfilling Christian lifestyle, drawing from her own experiences as a parent and a follower of Christ. Her thoughtful and engaging content reflects her commitment to sharing the love and wisdom found in the Scriptures with a modern audience living in the end times.