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Take the Name

Welcome to the third video in our series of Misunderstood texts of the Bible. This time I’d like to go to the Old Testament to one of the best known and oft repeated of the 10 commandments. This verse is surely misunderstood by almost everyone. The verse is Exodus 20:7 which says: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” The Lord is certainly serious about this so it’s important for us to understand this correctly. 1. The Hebrew wording The key elements are: נָשָׂא (nāśāʾ) – “to lift, carry, bear, take” שֵׁם (šēm) – “name,” which in the ancient Near Eastern worldview represents identity, authority, and reputation לַשָּׁוְא (laššāwʾ) – “for emptiness, falsehood, worthlessness, deception” A very literal rendering would be: “You shall not bear the name of YHWH your God for emptiness/falsehood.” This already moves the command beyond casual speech. 2. “Bearing” the divine name In the Old Testament, God places his name on his people (e.g., Num 6:27; Deut 28:10). Israel functions as Yahweh’s covenant representative among the nations. To “bear” his name is to act under his authority. Thus, the commandment primarily addresses misrepresentation: Claiming to act for Yahweh when one is not Invoking Yahweh to legitimize falsehood, injustice, or self-interest Using Yahweh’s name as a tool rather than honoring it as sacred 3. Legal and covenant context In the ancient world, oaths were sworn in the name of a deity. To invoke Yahweh in an oath and then: Lie, Break the oath, Or use the oath manipulatively was to “take his name in vain.” This is why the command is followed by the warning: “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” The issue is not speech etiquette; it is covenant treachery. 4. Speech is included—but not limited Misusing God’s name verbally is included: False prophecy (“Thus says the LORD” when he has not spoken; Jer 23:25) Casual or flippant invocation of Yahweh’s name Religious slogans that empty the name of meaning But these are symptoms of a deeper problem: treating Yahweh as a means rather than the sovereign Lord. 5. The theological center At its core, the commandment forbids: Attaching God’s name to what is false Representing God in ways that contradict his character Using divine authority without divine commission In modern terms, this includes: Claiming “God told me” to justify personal agendas Using Christianity or biblical language to excuse abuse, greed, or injustice Living in a way that publicly bears God’s name while denying him by actions (cf. Ezek 36:20–23) 6. Summary “You shall not take the name of the LORD in vain” means: Do not bear Yahweh’s name emptily—through falsehood, misrepresentation, or covenant unfaithfulness—whether in speech, oath, or life. It is less about isolated words and more about faithful representation of the God whose name one bears. #biblestudy #misunderstoodverse #10commandments #bibleverses Like and Subscribe to my channel    / @sapman78