Deuteronomy 6:16
What does Deuteronomy 6:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:16 means
This verse warns Israel not to "tempt Jehovah your God," drawing a direct parallel to their past rebellion at Massah. At Massah, the Israelites tested God by demanding water, questioning His presence and provision despite His demonstrated faithfulness. This command means they should not challenge God's power, doubt His character, or presume upon His grace by deliberately disobeying or setting up conditions for His intervention. Instead, they are to trust and obey Him wholeheartedly.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye shall not tempt Jehovah your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye shall not tempt Jehovah your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did in Massah.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Ye do not try Jehovah your God as ye tried in Massah;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God, as thou temptedst him in the place of temptation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye shall not tempt Jehovah yourGod, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Context
Following the powerful warning about God's jealousy and the consequences of idolatry (verse 15), this verse provides another serious caution: not to test the Lord. It uses the historical example of Massah to illustrate this temptation. This warning reinforces the necessity of obedient trust, preparing the way for the broad command in verse 17 to diligently keep all of God's laws, connecting past failures to future responsibilities.
v.15for Jehovah thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God; lest the anger of Jehovah thy God be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
v.16This passage
v.17Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of Jehovah your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 95:8
Harden not your heart, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness;
- Luke 4:12
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
- Hebrews 3:8
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, Like as in the day of the trial in the wilderness,
- Exodus 17:2
Wherefore the people strove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?
- Numbers 20:3
And the people strove with Moses, and spake, saying, Would that we had died when our brethren died before Jehovah!
- Numbers 20:13
These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Jehovah, and he was sanctified in them.
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