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Exodus 20:12 — "Honor Your Father and Your Mother"

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

EXODUS 20:12
KJV

What Does Exodus 20:12 Mean?

This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is the first commandment with a promise attached — that honoring parents leads to a long and prosperous life in the land God provides. "Honor" (Hebrew: kabed) means to give weight, respect, and value. It encompasses obedience in youth, respect in adulthood, and care in parents' old age.

Application: This commandment applies across all stages of life. For children, it means obedience; for adults, it means respect, gratitude, and care for aging parents. It establishes the family as the foundational unit of a healthy society.

Exodus 20:12 in Context

Exodus 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
Exodus 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Showing context from the King James Version (KJV)

Exodus 20:12 in 4 Translations

KJV

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

— Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
BSB

“Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”

— Exodus 20:12 (BSB)
WEB

““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”

— Exodus 20:12 (WEB)
ASV

“Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.”

— Exodus 20:12 (ASV)

Related Topics

Honor Your Father & Mother Love Identity

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this commandment important?

It is the first commandment with a promise (long life) and the bridge between duties to God (commands 1-4) and duties to others (commands 6-10). It establishes respect for authority and family as foundational to society.

How do adults honor their parents?

Adults honor their parents through respectful communication, seeking their wisdom, caring for them in old age, speaking well of them, and maintaining a loving relationship even when there are disagreements.

Is Exodus 20:12 repeated in the New Testament?

Yes. Paul quotes this commandment in Ephesians 6:2-3, calling it "the first commandment with a promise," showing its continued relevance for Christians.

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