Exodus 20:12
What does Exodus 20:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:12 means
This commandment establishes the importance of honoring one's father and mother. "Honor" implies showing them respect, obedience, and provision, recognizing their God-given authority and role in the family. It is the first commandment with a promise attached: long life in the land God is giving them. This promise underscores the societal importance of family stability and generational respect, connecting individual obedience to national well-being and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give honour to your father and to your mother, so that your life may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Honour thy father and thy mother, so that thy days are prolonged on the ground which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be longlived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be prolonged in the land that Jehovah thyGod giveth thee.
Context
This verse introduces the first commandment pertaining to human relationships, marking a clear transition from the commands concerning God's worship and honor. It serves as a bridge, grounding the stability of human society in the foundational unit of the family. This command, with its unique promise connected to the land, highlights the societal implications of covenant living, emphasizing that healthy families contribute to a blessed nation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 1:8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, And forsake not the law of thy mother:
- Deuteronomy 25:15
A perfect and just weight shalt thou have; a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
- 1 Kings 2:19
Bath-sheba 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 throne to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.
- Proverbs 23:22
Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, And despise not thy mother when she is old.
- Mark 10:19
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.
- Malachi 1:6
A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
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