Exodus 20:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

NIV: "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

NASB: Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the Lord your God gives you.

CSB: 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.

NLT: Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

KJV: Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

NKJV: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The first four commandments (Exodus 19:5–6; 20:1) of God's covenant with Israel outlined man's relationship with God. Worship of other gods (Exodus 20:2–3), idolatry (Exodus 20:4–6), and disrespectful use of His name (Exodus 20:7) were forbidden. Israel was required to honor a Sabbath rest on the seventh day of each week (Exodus 20:8–11). The final six commandments involve relationships between people. First among these is the requirement to show honor to one's parents.

This command acts as a pivot point between two sections. The command to honor parents flows from the concept of godly authority. It also ensures that the covenant will be taught to future generations.

To "honor," in this context, means to show respect and submission. God expected His people to listen to instruction from their parents (Exodus 13:8, 14–15). What prior generations had seen and heard was important (Psalm 34:11; 78:4). This command also implies obedience (Colossians 3:20), but not without limits. God has already stated that He will not forgive sins simply because they were passed down from parents (Exodus 20:5; 34:7). Obedience to the Lord comes first (Acts 5:29). Likewise, children who have left home to live independently are not obligated to obey (Genesis 2:24). However, they are still required to honor and respect their mother and father.

The ultimate violation of this commandment is someone who assaults or "curses" their parents (Exodus 21:15, 17; Leviticus 20:9). Under the laws of the ancient nation of Israel, the person who hatefully slandered their parents or physically attacked them was subject to the death penalty.

Honoring of parents is noted as the first commandment tied to a promise (Ephesians 6:2). Those who obey can expect longer lives in the Promised Land (Genesis 17:8). This is logical: those who obey godly lessons from godly parents aren't subject to the curses of disobedience (Leviticus 26:14–45; Proverbs 4:10–11). Israel's tragic experiences in Canaan will be the result of ignoring lessons from their ancestors (Judges 2:16–19).

Exodus 20:1–17 contains the Ten Commandments: the foundational laws of the ancient nation of Israel. These provide a basis for every other Mosaic law (2 Chronicles 5:10). The laws prohibit worship of other gods, idolatry, blasphemy, perjury, theft, murder, adultery, and covetousness. They command Israelites to honor parents and observe a weekly Sabbath rest. Like the rest of the old covenant, these commandments will be "fulfilled" and no longer applicable after Christ's completed work (Galatians 4:4–5; Hebrews 8:8–13). However, all these rules, other than the command to observe the Sabbath, are repeated in Christ's teachings.

Centuries after being enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1), Israel has been freed (Exodus 12). God leads the people across the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and into the wilderness of Sinai (Exodus 17—19). Here, He will give them laws which distinguish them from other nations. The first of these are the renowned Ten Commandments. The Lord will continue to provide details and statutes (Exodus 21—23) before confirming the covenant (Exodus 24) and establishing regulations for the tabernacle and priests (Exodus 25—31).