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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/02_Exo_20_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:12 - The Ten Commandments" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-11.htm" title="Exodus 20:11">◄</a> Exodus 20:12 <a href="/exodus/20-13.htm" title="Exodus 20:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live for a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Honor your father and your mother, that you may live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Honor your father and your mother, that it may be well with you, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, so that your days are prolonged on the ground which your God YHWH is giving to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Honour thy father and thy mother, so that thy days are prolonged on the ground which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Honor thy father and thy mother, so that thy days shall be prolonged upon the land which Jehovah thy gave to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayest be longlived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, so that you may have a long life upon the land, which the Lord your God will give to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, that you may have a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God gives you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother that your days will increase in the land that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the good land, which the Lord thy God gives to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5033" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Ten Commandments</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: kab·bêḏ (V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">Honor</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·me·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">and mother,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·me·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">your days</a> <a href="/hebrew/748.htm" title="748: ya·’ă·ri·ḵūn (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To be long. A primitive root; to be long.">may be long</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>You shall not murder.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-16.htm">Deuteronomy 5:16</a></span><br />Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20</a></span><br />Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-4.htm">Matthew 15:4</a></span><br />For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-10.htm">Mark 7:10</a></span><br />For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-8.htm">Proverbs 1:8</a></span><br />Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">Proverbs 6:20</a></span><br />My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Leviticus 19:3</a></span><br />Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must keep My Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-19.htm">Matthew 19:19</a></span><br />honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-19.htm">Mark 10:19</a></span><br />You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-20.htm">Luke 18:20</a></span><br />You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-22.htm">Proverbs 23:22</a></span><br />Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-4.htm">1 Timothy 5:4</a></span><br />But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-22.htm">Genesis 9:22-27</a></span><br />And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. / Then Shem and Japheth took a garment and placed it across their shoulders, and walking backward, they covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned away so that they did not see their father’s nakedness. / When Noah awoke from his drunkenness and learned what his youngest son had done to him, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">1 Kings 2:19</a></span><br />So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long on the land which the LORD your God gives you.</p><p class="hdg">honour</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Exodus 21:15,17</a></b></br> And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Leviticus 19:3,32</a></b></br> Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I <i>am</i> the LORD your God… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">1 Kings 2:19</a></b></br> Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king's mother; and she sat on his right hand.</p><p class="hdg">that thy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-26.htm">Deuteronomy 4:26,40</a></b></br> I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong <i>your</i> days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/25-15.htm">Deuteronomy 25:15</a></b></br> <i>But</i> thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-47.htm">Deuteronomy 32:47</a></b></br> For it <i>is</i> not a vain thing for you; because it <i>is</i> your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong <i>your</i> days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/18-23.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/16-25.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/14-18.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/exodus/16-7.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/exodus/19-13.htm">Live</a> <a href="/exodus/13-2.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Prolonged</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/exodus/23-19.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/exodus/28-2.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/exodus/23-3.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/exodus/21-21.htm">Live</a> <a href="/exodus/21-15.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-16.htm">Prolonged</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Honor your father and mother</b><br>This commandment is the fifth in the Decalogue, emphasizing the importance of family structure and respect within the household. In ancient Israelite society, the family was the fundamental unit of social and religious life. Honoring parents was seen as a reflection of honoring God, as parents were considered representatives of God's authority. This commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, notably in <a href="/ephesians/6-2.htm">Ephesians 6:2-3</a>, where Paul emphasizes its significance as the first commandment with a promise. The concept of honor here involves respect, obedience, and care, especially as parents age.<p><b>so that your days may be long</b><br>This phrase introduces a promise of longevity and well-being as a reward for obedience. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, long life was often associated with divine favor and blessing. The promise of extended life is not merely about individual lifespan but also about the enduring stability and prosperity of the community. This reflects a covenantal relationship where obedience to God's commandments results in tangible blessings.<p><b>in the land</b><br>The land referred to here is the Promised Land, Canaan, which God pledged to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land holds significant theological importance as it represents God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. The Israelites' possession and retention of the land were contingent upon their obedience to God's laws, as seen throughout the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua.<p><b>that the LORD your God is giving you</b><br>This phrase underscores the divine initiative and grace in the gift of the land. It is not earned by the Israelites' merit but given by God's sovereign will. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. The giving of the land is both a present reality and a future promise, pointing to the eschatological hope of a restored creation. This also typologically foreshadows the ultimate inheritance believers receive through Christ, as mentioned in <a href="/hebrews/4.htm">Hebrews 4</a>, where the rest in the Promised Land is a type of the eternal rest found in Jesus.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the command to honor one's parents.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God who delivered the Israelites and provided them with laws to live by.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_honor.htm">The Importance of Honor</a></b><br>Honoring parents is foundational to a stable and godly society. It reflects our respect for God's ordained authority structures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/promise_of_longevity.htm">Promise of Longevity</a></b><br>The commandment comes with a promise of long life, indicating that honoring parents is not only a duty but also beneficial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_relevance.htm">Cultural Relevance</a></b><br>In a culture that often devalues parental authority, Christians are called to uphold this commandment as a testimony to God's design.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_implications.htm">Spiritual Implications</a></b><br>Honoring parents is a reflection of our relationship with God. It teaches us submission, respect, and gratitude.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_honor.htm">Practical Honor</a></b><br>Honoring parents can be expressed through obedience, care, respect, and gratitude, regardless of their imperfections.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_manage_abuse_from_adult_kids.htm">How to handle abusive behavior from adult children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_controlling_parents.htm">What does the Bible say about controlling parents?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_disobedience.htm">What does the Bible say about disobedient children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_nursing_homes.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian nursing homes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Honour thy father and thy mother.</span>--It is not a matter of much importance how we divide the commandments; nor is it historically certain how they were originally distributed between the two tables. But, practically, the view that the fifth commandment begins the second table, which lays down our duty towards our neighbours, is to be preferred for its convenience, though it trenches upon symmetrical arrangement. Of all our duties to our fellow-men, the first and most fundamental is our duty towards our parents, which lies at the root of all our social relations, and is the first of which we naturally become conscious. Honour, reverence, and obedience are due to parents from the position in which they stand to their children :--(1) As, in a certain sense, the authors of their being; (2) as their shelterers and nourishers; (3) as their protectors and educators, from whom they derive the foundation of their moral training and the first elements of their knowledge. Even among savages the obligations of children towards their parents are felt and acknowledged to a greater or a less extent; and there has never been a civilised community of whose moral code they have not formed an important part. In Egypt the duty of filial piety was strictly inculcated from a very early date (Lenormant, <span class= "ital">Histoire Ancienne, </span>vol. i., pp. 342, 343), and a bad son forfeited the prospect of happiness in another life (<span class= "ital">ibid., </span>pp. 513, 514). Confucianism bases all morality upon the parental and filial relation, and requires the most complete subjection, even of the grown-up son, to his father and mother. Greek ethics taught that the relation of children to their parents was parallel to that of men to God (Aristot. <span class= "ital">Eth. Nic. </span>8:12, ? 5); and Rome made the absolute authority of the father the basis of its entire State system. The Divine legislation of Sinai is in full accord, here as elsewhere, with the voice of reason and conscience, affirming broadly the principles of parental authority and filial submission, but leaving the mode in which the principles should be carried out to the discretion of individuals or communities.<p><span class= "bld">That thy days may be long upon the land.</span>--The fifth commandment (as all allow) is "the first commandment <span class= "ital">with promise</span>" (<a href="/ephesians/6-2.htm" title="Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;">Ephesians 6:2</a>); but the promise may be understood in two quite different senses. (1) It may be taken as guaranteeing national permanence to the people among whom filial respect and obedience is generally practised; or (2) it may be understood in the simpler and more literal sense of a pledge that obedient children shall, as a general rule, receive for their reward the blessing of long life. In favour of the former view have been urged the facts of Roman and Chinese permanence, together with the probability that Israel forfeited its possession of Canaan in consequence of persisting in the breach of this commandment. In favour of the latter may be adduced the application of the text by St. Paul (<a href="/ephesians/6-3.htm" title="That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.">Ephesians 6:3</a>), which is purely personal and not ethnic; and the exegesis of the Son of Sirach (<a href="//apocrypha.org/wisdom_of_solomon/3-6.htm" title="As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.">Wisdom Of Solomon 3:6</a>), which is similar. It is also worthy of note that an Egyptian sage, who wrote long before Moses, declared it as the result of his experience that obedient sons did attain to a good old age in Egypt, and laid down the principle broadly, that "the son who attends to the words of his father will grow old in consequence" (Lenormant, <span class= "ital">Histoire Ancienne, </span>vol. i., p. 342).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Honor thy father and thy mother</span>. The obligation of filial respect, love, and reverence is so instinctively' felt by all, that the duty has naturally found a place in every moral code. In the maxims of Ptah-hotep, an Egyptian author who lived probably before Abraham, "the duty of filial piety is strictly inculcated" (Birch, <span class="accented">Egypt from the Earliest Times</span>, p. 49). Confucius, in China, based his moral system wholly upon the principle of parental authority; and in Rome it may be regarded as the main foundation of the political edifice. In the Decalogue, the position of this duty, at the head of our duties towards our neighbour, marks its importance; which is further shown by this being "the first commandment with promise" (<a href="/ephesians/6-2.htm">Ephesians 6:2</a>). It is curious that the long life here specially attached to the observance of this obligation, was also believed to accompany it by the Egyptians. "The son," says Ptah-hotep, "who accepts the words of his father, will grow old in consequence of so doing;" and again - "The obedient son will be happy by reason of his obedience; he will grow old; he will come to favour." Modern commentators generally assume that the promise was not personal, but national - the nation's days were to be "long upon the land," if the citizens generally were obedient children. But this explanation cannot apply to <a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-3</a>. And if obedience to parents is to be rewarded with long life under the new covenant, there can be no reason why it should not have been so rewarded under the old. The objection that good sons are not always long-lived is futile. God governs the universe by general, not by universal laws. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Honor</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּבֵּ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(kab·bêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇî·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mother,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמֶּ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’im·me·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמַ֙עַן֙</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ma·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> </span><span class="str2">Purpose -- intent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·me·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may be long</span><br /><span class="heb">יַאֲרִכ֣וּן</span> <span class="translit">(ya·’ă·ri·ḵūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_748.htm">Strong's 748: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, long</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֚ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲדָמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ground, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is giving</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹתֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother that (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/20-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 20:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>