“Do Not Take God’s Name in Vain”: A Deeper Look at the Third Commandment

“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not absolve one who takes His Name in vain.” (Shemot 20:7)

The third of the Ten Commandments deals with the prohibition of swearing falsely. Why does the Torah use the word “tisa” (“take” or “carry”) when warning against a false oath?

The Or HaChaim HaKadosh offers two beautiful explanations:

1. The Prohibition of Swearing in God’s Name — even with “respectful” intent

When a person swears in God’s Name, it may appear that he is trying to elevate and honor God, acknowledging His greatness and sovereignty. For this reason, the Torah specifically uses the word “tisa” — to prevent the mistaken assumption that swearing in God’s Name is permitted because it seems to give honor and glory to the Almighty.

The Or HaChaim explains that a person might think: even if the oath is unnecessary or false, what harm is there, since the one being sworn to recognizes God as his Master, and the falsehood may never even be exposed?

Therefore, the Torah warns: “You shall not take [tisa] the Name of God” — even if it appears to elevate the Divine Name.

God will not absolve such a person, even if his intention was to honor God, because using His Name in vain remains a severe prohibition. Even when a person believes he is praising God by invoking His Name in an oath, he is still held accountable if that oath is empty or false.

2. Do not present yourself as more righteous than you truly are

The Or HaChaim adds a deeper, ethical dimension to the verse.

The words “lo tisa” also warn a person not to “carry” or “bear” God’s Name by presenting himself publicly as a servant of God, while his inner conduct contradicts that image. Such a person, who claims to be God-fearing but does not live accordingly, is effectively bearing God’s Name “in vain.”

This prohibition teaches that one must not portray himself as a righteous individual when he is not — and certainly not present himself as more righteous than he truly is.

As the Or HaChaim writes, the Torah warns against someone who calls himself a devoted servant of God, while his heart is not aligned with that claim. This, too, is taking God’s Name in vain, by using it as a façade rather than living by its truth.

The third commandment teaches not only the seriousness of false oaths, but also the danger of spiritual pretense: invoking God’s Name — whether through speech or self-image, without sincerity, integrity, and truth.