Deuteronomy 5:16 - “Honor your father and your mother, as Yahweh your God commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you, in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 5:16

What does "Deuteronomy 5:16" mean?


Deuteronomy 5:16 is part of the Ten Commandments, and it elaborates on the Fifth Commandment: "Honor your father and your mother." Let's break down its meaning:

"Honor your father and your mother": This goes beyond simply obeying them. "Honor" encompasses respect, reverence, appreciation, obedience, and providing for their needs in their old age or times of difficulty. It's about recognizing their role in your life and showing them the esteem they deserve.

"as Yahweh your God commanded you": This emphasizes that honoring parents is not just a social or cultural expectation but a divine command. It's a commandment from God, making it a matter of religious obligation.

"that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you": This is a promise of blessing attached to obedience. "Long days" can refer to a long life, but also to a life that is full and satisfying. "That it may go well with you" suggests general prosperity, success, and well-being in all aspects of life. This promise suggests that honoring your parents contributes to a stable and harmonious society, as well as a blessed personal life.

"in the land which Yahweh your God gives you": This ties the blessing to the context of the Israelites entering and living in the Promised Land. It connects obedience to God's commands with the ability to thrive and prosper in the land He is giving them. While the original context is specific to the Israelites and the Promised Land, the principle can be applied more broadly to mean thriving wherever God has placed you.

In summary, this verse means:

God commands you to deeply respect, obey, and care for your parents. In doing so, you are not only fulfilling a moral and social obligation but also obeying a divine command. This obedience is connected to the promise of a long, prosperous, and fulfilling life in the land that God has given you (or, more generally, in the circumstances where God has placed you).

Key Takeaways:

Honoring parents is a command from God.
"Honor" involves more than just obedience; it includes respect, care, and support.
There is a promise of blessings (longevity and prosperity) connected to honoring parents.
The verse emphasizes the importance of family relationships within the context of a covenant with God.

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