Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother
The fifth commandment bridges our duties to God and to others, calling for respect and care toward parents as a foundation for a stable and blessed society.
The fifth commandment bridges our duties to God and to others, calling for respect and care toward parents as a foundation for a stable and blessed society.
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." — Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."Exodus 20:12 — Read in Context
What Does the 5th Commandment Mean?
This commandment transitions from our vertical relationship with God (commandments 1–4) to our horizontal relationships with others (commandments 5–10). Honoring parents was foundational to Israelite society, as the family was the primary unit of faith education, economic stability, and social order. The Hebrew word for 'honour' (kabed) means to give weight or significance. The promise attached—long life in the land—makes this the 'first commandment with promise,' as Paul notes in Ephesians 6:2. Jesus strongly condemned the Pharisees' practice of 'Corban,' which allowed people to avoid supporting their parents under the pretense of dedicating resources to God (Mark 7:9-13). This commandment extends beyond childhood obedience to include caring for aging parents and honoring their legacy.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, there was no government social safety net—elderly parents depended entirely on their children for care and provision. Dishonoring parents was so serious that the Mosaic Law prescribed the death penalty for striking or cursing a parent (Exodus 21:15, 17). The family unit was the foundation of Israelite society: parents taught Torah (Deuteronomy 6:7), maintained tribal inheritance, and transmitted covenant identity. By Jesus' time, the Pharisees had created a loophole called 'Corban'—declaring money 'devoted to God' to avoid using it for parental care—which Jesus condemned as nullifying God's commandment through human tradition (Mark 7:9-13).
Original Language
From 'kavod'—weight, heaviness, glory. To 'honor' (kabbed) means to treat as weighty, significant, valuable. The same root describes God's glory (kavod YHWH). Honoring parents means giving them the weight and significance they deserve as God's appointed authorities in the family.
Common Misconceptions
Myth
This commandment means you must obey your parents in everything, even as an adult.
Truth
Honor and obedience are distinct. Children are called to obey (Ephesians 6:1), but adult children honor parents through respect, care, and valuing their counsel—not blind obedience. No command requires obeying a parent who demands sin.
Myth
You can't honor abusive or absent parents.
Truth
Honoring imperfect parents may look different—it can mean forgiving, praying for them, maintaining boundaries for safety, and refusing to perpetuate cycles of harm. Honor is an attitude of the heart toward God's design for family, even when specific parents fall short.
Applying This Commandment Today
Honoring parents today includes showing respect, maintaining communication, providing care in old age, and carrying forward the faith and values they taught. Even in cases of imperfect parents, this commandment calls believers to respond with grace rather than bitterness, while also maintaining healthy boundaries.
Related Scripture References
Ephesians 6:1-3
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."Read in context
Proverbs 1:8-9
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."Read in context
Colossians 3:20
"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord."Read in context
1 Timothy 5:4
"But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to honor your father and mother?
Honoring parents means treating them with respect, listening to their counsel, caring for them as they age, and valuing their role in your life. It extends beyond childhood obedience into lifelong respect and care.
Why does this commandment include a promise?
The promise of long life in the land reflects God's design for society: when families are stable and honor flows between generations, communities thrive. Paul identifies this as 'the first commandment with promise' in Ephesians 6:2.
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