Deuteronomy 5:9

7 ^a‘You shall have no other gods¹ before Me.

8 ^a‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

9 you shall not ^abow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,² visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

10 ^abut showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and¹ keep My commandments.

11 ^a‘You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him¹ guiltless who takes His name in vain.

12 ^a‘Observe the Sabbath day, to¹ keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< Deuteronomy 5:8

Deuteronomy 5:10 >>

What Does Deuteronomy 5:9 Mean?

Deuteronomy 5:7-10

God does care how we worship Him; He gives specific commands about how He wants to be glorified according to His standards and not our own. It does matter whether or not we share in the celebration of this world's pagan religious holidays. Though the Bible—the Word of God—makes no direct references to New Year's Eve, Lent, Easter, Halloween, or Christmas, the origins of these pagan holidays are mentioned as being abominations to God.

Martin G. Collins
Pagan Holidays

Deuteronomy 5:9

Idolatry has an impact on later generations, and so it matters a great deal if we associate closely with idolaters. Children learn by example, and if their parents set the example that physical objects have excessive importance, then their children will pass down the same values. When we socialize with idolaters, we share in their ways. If we are not careful, we may also begin to share their idols.

Martin G. Collins
The Second Commandment

Related Topics: Idol | Idolatrous Religious Influence | Idolatry | The Second Commandment

**Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Deuteronomy 5:9:**

Deuteronomy 5:7
Matthew 27:25

<< Deuteronomy 5:8

Deuteronomy 5:10 >>