Do not misuse/disrespect the name of God

Exodus 20:7

“Do not misuse my name.”

Along with worshiping the one true God alone, God also demands proper respect for his name (when his worshipers are talking about him) in context and not misusing his name and disrespecting him with it. In fact, God takes the misuse of his name so seriously that he personally guarantees he will punish the person that misuses his name (worshiper of him or not)!

Exodus 20:7

“Do not misuse my name… I will punish anyone who misuses my name.”

So apparently this is a very serious command to God, so in order to obey it we need to know what a proper use of God’s name is and then how it can be misused in a disrespectful way:

Through the Bible we see a proper use of God’s name in a sentence is when talking about him wherever to another person, to yourself, or to God himself:

Numbers 16:28

“Then Moses said (to other people listening), ‘This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea…’”

Lamintations 3:24

“I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.’”

And Either directly speaking to him in a vision/encounter with him:

Exodus 4:10

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord.’”

Or indirectly talking to him through prayer:

Judges 16:28

“Then Samson prayed to the Lord, ‘Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God,…’”

Or worshiping him/praising him through song:

Psalm 7:17

“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.”

These are all the appropriate ways to use God’s name, so as long as you use God’s name in these ways when speaking about him it is being used correctly.

The Bible reveals how God’s name can be misused: God’s name is misused when it is used in vain

In fact, this is what “misused” meant in the original language: to be taken in vain. This is what God originally meant by misusing his name:

While Exodus 20 might sometimes be translated as God saying to not misuse his name, in the original Hebrew he specifically commanded Moses to not take his name in vain.[1] But what exactly does it mean to take God’s name in vain?

That can be understood clearer by understanding what exactly ‘vain’ means. Vain means something is considered useless ,worthless, or exist for nothing ( the original Hebrew word translated as ‘vain’ also means the same thing as the English word vain) [2] In this case, using God’s name in vain means to misuse his name by treating his name with no respect like God is just an everyday thing.

God’s name can be used this way when someone is planning on using his name with evil intentions:

Psalm 139:20

“They speak of you with evil intent;…[they]… misuse your name.”

The word “misuse” here is the same Hebrew word that means “vain” but the word for “evil intent” implies they were planning to use God’s name in a mocking or joking way [3]: basically, they were using his name to most likely make fun of him; this means they were mocking/picking on God himself!

Obviously, mocking or making fun of God is definitely disrespectful to him and it’s definitely treating his holy name as a worthless word! So, talking about the God of the Bible to Mock and pick on him is a major way to take his name in vain.

Also, these people were not worshipers of God they were considered his enemies and are considered wicked/evil:

Psalm 139:20

“the wicked…speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.”

So, if you are taking God’s name in vain while talking, even if you claim you are a righteous human being who believes in him or even worships him you are doing exactly what his enemies would do and you are considered wicked because of how you talk about him so disrespectfully.

When God’s holy name is treated like an ordinary word/subject his name is misused by being taken in vain:

Ezekiel 22:26

“...they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between [them]…so that I am profaned among them.”

So not treating God’s name as sacred or holy is misusing his name

But is that the only way to misuse his name?

No, the Bible reveals there are many more ways to use God’s name in vain:

Another way to use God’s name in vain is by cursing God, this specific misuse of his name is called “blasphemy”:

In fact, shortly after God commanded This Law of not misusing his name in vain, a mixed Egyptian-Israelite man was the first one to blaspheme God’s name in a fight:

Leviticus 24:10-11

“Now the son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father went out among the Israelites, and a fight broke out in the camp between him and an Israelite. The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse;…”

“The name” here is refereeing to God’s holy name revealed by God himself to Moses and then to all of Israel. However, it's not exactly clear in the verse what is meant by what he said to blaspheme God’s name with a curse, but what he said can be made clearer by talking a closer look at the original words used to describe what he did. "Blasphemed" is the original Hebrew word “וַ֠יִּקֹּב” (way-yipe-cobe) a variation of “ נָקַב” (naw-kab') which means to either physically pierce something with something sharp or to figuratively pierce something usually refereeing to someone’s name: either just calling them, referring to them, or to disrespect their name [4]

So, in this case, blaspheming his name seems to mean he disrespected his name thus means he disrespected God, but how exactly did he disrespect his name?

The rest of the verse tells us he disrespected God’s name with a curse: but what exactly does that mean?

the original Hebrew word used for “curse” was “קָלַל” (kaw-lal') and it meant to make something lighter or faster: either literally to make something lighter (like a burden) or something very fast in speed. Or figuratively to make something lighter: which meant to consider something less valuable or less respectful than it is. [4]

This same word is used in other parts of the Bible to refer to cursing someone or something and even gives examples of what that looks like:

This same word is used in Job when Job Cursed the day he was born:

Job 3:1

“...Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.”

But this is what that sounded like:

Job 3:2-7

“He said: ‘May the day of my birth perish (cease to exist), and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’ That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it. May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it. That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months. May that night be barren (nothing happening); may no shout of joy be heard in it.’”

Job was cursing the day he was born because he was cursing his own birth (he regretted even being born because of how much he was suffering).

This same word is used in 2 Samuel when Shimei Cursed King David:

2 Samuel 16:5

“As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones,…”

But this is what that sounded like:

2 Samuel 16:7-8

“...Shimei said, ‘Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!…You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!’ ”

One of King David’s soldiers commented that Shimei was cursing the king by saying all these things:

2 Samuel 16:9

“Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.’ ”

So, through all these examples when something/someone was being cursed it was being talked about in a despising and accusing way. [4]

So, assuming all these original words, what they really mean, and what they are referring to we can assume this man said something very bad/disrespectful about God (using his holy name) thus disrespecting him.

What this man said was unacceptable because it violated God’s command not to misuse his name, so they reported this to Moses until God told him how to punish this sin:

Leviticus 24:11-12

“...so they brought him to Moses…[and]…put him in custody until the will of the Lord…be made clear…”

When God finally spoke, he commanded Moses to have this man judged, shamed by all of Israel, and then killed for cursing him:

Leviticus 24:13-14

“Then the Lord said to Moses: ‘Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head (as a shaming and condemning witness against his sin), and the entire assembly is to stone him (throw rocks at his body until he is killed from their impact).’”

So Moses told them what God said to do and they obeyed his orders and killed this man:

Leviticus 24:23

“Then Moses spoke to…[them]… and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him.”

Then God commanded Moses to warn Israel that he would hold them responsible is they talked about him in a disrespectful way and if anyone was caught cursing him was to be killed instantly for their sin!

Leviticus 24:15-16

“Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be killed. The entire assembly must stone them…when they blaspheme the Name…’”

So apparently talking about God in a despising and accusing way was definitely a way to misuse his name! It was so bad that God had the person killed instantly if they were caught disrespecting him.

Another way to misuse God’s name is to use his name in a sentence in order to gloat over a supposed victory over him or challenge him to a fight:

Like God himself said the Edomites did to him when they celebrated the defeat of God’s holy nation (which was the destruction of the northern kingdom Israel and then finally the southern kingdom Judah)

Ezekiel 35:13

“You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint,…”

Much like blaspheming God’s name, it’s obviously disrespectful to gloat over a supposed victory over God’s plans or even challenge him to a fight.

Basically, anyway God’s name can be used in a dishonorable/disrespecting way is misusing God’s name, because when you misuse God’s name in a sentence you are actually dishonoring God himself: this is what is really the sin of misusing God’s name: because when you misuse his name you are disrespecting him verbally!

When you mention someone's name in a disrespectful way you're not just disrespecting a simple name you are actually disrespecting the person or thing it’s referring to. When someone's uses your name in a disrespectful way in a sentence, they're not just disrespecting your name, they're actually disrespecting you!

When you talk about God in such a disrespectful way, he does not get the rightful respect he deserves as the holy almighty God and creator of the universe:

When God says not to disrespect his name, he constantly reminds humans who he is: that he is their God that created them!

Exodus 20:7

“...Do not misuse my name. I am the Lord your God,…”

Since God is the great creator of all life besides himself and gives life to all living beings everywhere he deserves to be honored and highly respected by all living things. It’s wrong for a creation to disrespect its creator and this is the whole sin of misusing God’s name:

God even says this is the case: his name is not to be dishonored because God himself is to be highly honored:

Leviticus 22:32

“Do not profane my holy name, because I must be acknowledged as holy...“

Misusing God’s name=Disrespecting God himself

Even if you never verbally say his name in a sentence even thinking of a sentence that disrespects him in your mind is still misusing his name and a sin!

Job 1:5

“Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them (his children) , thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts (thoughts).’ ”

Even most actions against God’s will are considered disrespectful to him and are thus disrespecting him:

This includes Gloating over a supposed victory over what he supports or loves: like the Edomites did when they celebrated the defeat of all of Israel (that is the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah).

Ezekiel 35:13

“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and countries (that is the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah) will be ours and we will take possession of them,’ even though I the Lord was there,…You said, ‘They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.’…I the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said against…Israel….You boasted against me and spoke against me,...”

Disobeying a direct order from God is considered disrespecting his name (disrespecting him) because by disobeying his commands you are rebelling against him and showing you don’t care to much for what he has to say/his authority:

By committing idolatry (breaking the 1st and 2nd commands of the ten commandments) you are also dishonoring God by disobeying him:

Leviticus 18:21 and Leviticus 20:3

“Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek (another god), for (because) you must not profane (Disrespect [5]) the name of your God…I myself will set my face against him (will curse him) and will cut him off from his people (kill him); because by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.”

So according to God, if the Israelites sacrificed their children to this false God, it would dishonor God’s holy name by their disobedience to his command and in return, he would get revenge by personally cursing and killing the person that did this.

telling a lie and then swearing to God that what you're saying is true (breaking the 9th command of the Ten Commandments: slandering) would do this:

Leviticus 19:12

“Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God."

Ezekiel 13:19

“You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread (have disrespected God for something very cheap). By lying to my people, who listen to (easily believe) lies,…”

Not treating with respect all temple rituals that God required would also do this:

Leviticus 22:2

“Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so they will not profane my holy name.”

Not following his laws concerning keeping and freeing slaves (which stated to free Israelite slaves after a certain period of time):

Jeremiah 34:16

“But now you have turned around (disobeyed me) and profaned my name; each of you has taken back the male and female slaves you had set free to go where they wished. You have forced them to become your slaves again.”

By murdering the innocent and also not killing the guilty as he commanded them to:

Ezekiel 13:19

“You have profaned me…you have killed those who should not have died (murdered) and have spared those who should not live (have not killed them for their sins).”

Priest/preachers/teachers not teaching proper respect for sacred things that God has declared sacred (like his temple, his holidays, HIS NAME) do this:

Ezekiel 22:26

“...priests…profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between [them]…so that I am profaned among them.”

God wants humans to obey him and stop disrespecting him:

Ezekiel 20:39

“...listen to me and no longer profane my holy name…”

When God is disobeyed by his worshipers this further disrespects him by making him look bad to non-worshipers and encouraging them to mock him and his people:

Ezekiel 36:22

“…my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone (set a bad example).”

God’s name is holy:

Ezekiel 36:22

“…my holy name,…”

Because it’s his name that is referring to him, and he is to be highly honored and respect both is speaking about him and in respecting and obeying his commands. After all he deserves all the respect and honor in the world and beyond from all living things because he created all the world and beyond and all living things. So do the right thing as a living being created by God and honor him and his wished, as David said:

Psalm 72:19

“Blessed be his glorious name forever;…”

(Note: personally, for this modern society, the greatest way God’s name is taken in vain/misused today is by using God’s name as a casual cuss word. There is nothing casual about using God’s name as a cuss word it is the exact definition of taking God name as vain: God’s holy name that should be used as a respectful/honorable title to talk about him is degraded to a meaningless cuss word that many who use it like this are almost completely ignorant and/or could care less that it’s also God’s holy name! This is misusing God’s name and according to God’s word anyone who uses God’s name as a casual cuss word, even is it’s not really on purpose to disrespect God but like just a habit or because everyone else is doing it, will NOT be found innocent but be completely guilty and God will eventually punish them for this horrible sin! If you happen to be doing this, then you need to do all you can and get rid of that cuss word from your vocabulary! Even if you have to substitute it for another cuss word for the meantime do all you can to get rid of it out of your vocabulary its not worth using his holy name as a cuss word to express shock or anger for a second!)

(Back to The Ten Commandments)

Sources:

[1]

Exodus 20:7 interlinear Hebrew by Biblehub

Website:

https://biblehub.com/text/exodus/20-7.htm

[2]

[A] Merriam-Webster “Vain”

Website:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vain

[B] Strong’s Hebrew 7723.--”שָׁוְא”(shawv)--emptiness, vanity by Biblehub

Website: