Lesson 301: Deuteronomy 5:16
The Blueprint — The Verse
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Memorization Practice
Click words to hide them and test your memory.
Without looking, enter the book, chapter, and verse for this passage.
Rate your recall:
The Context — The History
The Ten Commandments formed the moral core of Israel's covenant at SinaiA mountain in the wilderness where God revealed Himself to Moses and gave Israel the Law, including the Ten Commandments. Sinai marks the formal establishment of God’s covenant with His people, accompanied by thunder, fire, cloud, and divine glory. The name represents revelation, covenant, holiness, and God’s direct communication with Israel during the Exodus. More. In a society where family structure sustained identity, land, and worship, honoring parents was both personal virtue and social foundation for flourishing in the promised land.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Moses restated the Decalogue for the new generation about to cross the Jordan. After commands about exclusive loyalty to God and reverence for his name and Sabbath, he repeated the charge to honor father and mother with promise of long life and well-being.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
-
You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of EgyptA major ancient civilization located southwest of Israel, centered along the Nile River. In Scripture, Egypt is known for its powerful kingdoms, advanced culture, and the setting of Israel’s bondage and Exodus. It often symbolizes strength, refuge, oppression, or deliverance, depending on the context. Egypt played a key role in biblical history, interacting with the patriarchs, prophets, and early Israel... More, and Yahweh your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Yahweh your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
-
“You shall not murder.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
-
How does honoring parents differ from agreeing with everything they do?
-
What does this command teach about God's design for family?
-
How can adult children honor parents in ways that fit their season of life?
Places — Map this passage
Locations mentioned in this lesson passage. Switch to Whole book or Journey mode on the map for a broader view.
Places list
Geographic data © OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)