Deuteronomy 5:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Honor your parents so that you may live long and prosper in the land God gives you.
The Context of Deuteronomy 5:16
The fifth commandment, addressing family relationships and their blessings.
What Does Deuteronomy 5:16 Mean?
The fifth commandment establishes filial respect as foundational to social order and covenant blessing. Honoring parents means caring for them materially and emotionally, respecting their authority, and recognizing the debt owed for life itself. This commandment bridges the vertical relationship with God (commandments 1–4) and horizontal relationships with others (commandments 6–10), showing that respect begins in the family.
The promise attached—prolonged days and well-being in the land—reflects a social reality: families that honor their parents transmit values across generations, creating stable communities where people flourish. Conversely, societies where the young dishonor the old fragment and decline.
Deuteronomy 5:16 in the Original Language
kabod (כָּבַד), 'honour' — to make heavy or weighty, to give full weight and respect to one's parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 5:16
What does Deuteronomy 5:16 mean?
Honor your parents so that you may live long and prosper in the land God gives you.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 5:16?
The fifth commandment, addressing family relationships and their blessings.