Exodus 20:7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. There is a three-fold swearing forbidden. 1. Vain swearing; when men in their ordinary discourse let fly oaths. 2. Vile swearing; horrid, prodigious oaths not to be named. 3. Forswearing; this is a heaven-daring sin: "Ye shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God." Perjury is a calling God to witness to a lie. In righteousness, therefore, it must not be an unlawful oath. In judgment, therefore, it must not be a rash oath. In truth, therefore, it must not be a false oath. 4. We take God's name in vain by rash and unlawful vows. ( T. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |