What Is The 3rd Commandment?

Last updated on: January 1, 2015 at 8:53 am by Jack Wellman

What Is The 3rd Commandment? 2015-01-01T08:53:10-06:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What is the 3rd Commandment? What does it mean that we shouldn’t take the Lord’s name in vain? Is this commandment still relevant today and for all people?

The 3rd Commandment

Exodus 20:7 “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.”

Israel’s Treatment of God’s Name

The Jews were so terrified of mispronouncing God’s Holy Name that they didn’t even say it out loud. Today, even some non-orthodox Jews spell God’s name as “G_d” out of reverence and respect. They often just spelled in YHVW or YHWH and today, we really don’t know how God’s name was pronounced. We don’t know because the original pronunciation was lost thousands of years ago for two reasons; the Jews were afraid to mispronounce it so they rarely, if ever spoke it aloud and they usually substituted Adonai for it and also since the Hebrew language doesn’t contain any vowels, we don’t really know what sounds were produced by the name YHVW or YHWH so the way His name was pronounced has been lost long ago. Most scholars believe it is pronounced “YAY- WAY.” Most mistranslate the name into Jehovah by inserting vowels that they are only guessing belonged there. This was done only in order that they might know how it sounded but we honestly don’t know. It is almost certain that Jehovah is not really God’s name. In fact God has many names but in this article we are focusing on taking God’s Holy Name in vain.

What does Taking it in Vain Mean?

The word used for vain is empty, without purpose. The Hebrew word used for “vain” is “shav’” and means with “emptiness, vanity, falsehood, worthless, nothingness” so taking God’s name in vain is using it flippantly, needlessly, without thought or without giving it any regard and treating it as…really, nothing or using it without any real purpose. That is still sin, regardless if there is no swear words attached to it. To use God’s Holy Name without regard, respect for it, as in a vain saying, and in a worthless manner is sin, no matter how a person tries to justify their use of it.

As a Swear Word

The most obvious way that most people use God’s name in vain today is by attributing something horrible or something bad that has happened and even something extremely good that has happened and then expressing it as vulgar or profane language. Many use “damn” as God’s last name, if you know what I mean, but God will not hold them guiltless who profane His Holy Name as He says “the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Ex 20:7b). God’s Word says “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Duet 5:11). The Psalmist says to God “your adversaries misuse your name” (Psalm 139:20). There is a time coming when this will no longer happen as He declares in Ezekiel 39:7 “I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.” These disgusting uses include saying with disgust and even joy “Jesus Christ!” but also abbreviations that I won’t even spell out because they are so profane: OMG, OMFG, JFC, and other such ones that I will not even put into print because they are so outrageous to me.

Euphemisms

What is a euphemism? A euphemism is a word or expression used in place of another word that might be found offensive or even suggest something unpleasant and is used to mask a rude or offensive word or concept. It might be masking or cloaking something that is vulgar or profane like the use of God’s name. Some examples are “Jeez” which is a euphemism for Jesus or even a simple “Gosh” which substitutes for God’s name. Even “darn it” is a euphemism for “damn it” but sometimes people even use “gosh damn it” which you can easily determine what that is a substitute for. I believe it is using God’s name in vain when we say “Oh my God.” This is nothing short of taking God’s Holy Name in a useless, careless, vain or worthless manner which is breaking the 3rd Commandment. Some will even go so far to say (and I am abbreviating here because I find it so offensive that I won’t even spell it out) “OMFG.” These are so popular that I have even heard Christians use them. There is no doubt that the ancient Jews would have never dared be so flippant about using God’s Holy Name in this way but today, most people don’t even give it a second thought, despite the fact that God says that He will not hold those who do such things guiltless (Ex 20:7b; Duet 5:11).

Conclusion

We must watch our mouth for we can much too easily use God’s Holy Name in a vain manner. What if someone used your mother or your father’s name as a curse or swear word. Would you still not care? How much more so should we regard God’s name as the name that is above every name and refrain from using it or even any euphemisms as forms of an expression of disgust, anger, rage, or even some joyful experience. This is so common today that most people will don’t even think about it but God does and He will not forget those who use, misuse or abuse His Holy Name.

Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon

Bible Answers

3rd Commandment

Bible Study

Previous Post

January 1, 2015

What Is The 8th Commandment?

Next Post

January 1, 2015 7 Great Bible Verses To Share on Facebook

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Answers Bible Definitions Bible Story Bible Study Bible Verses Christian Books Christian Entertainment Christian Fathers Christian Mothers Christian Quotes Devotional Famous Christians Music News Parables Prayers Quotes Sunday School Lesson Uncategorized Youth Sermons

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who wrote the most letters in the New Testament?

Select your answer to see how you score.

James John Paul Peter