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10 but I show covenant faithfulness[a] to the thousands[b] who choose[c] me and keep my commandments.

11 “You must not make use of the name of the Lord your God for worthless purposes,[d] for the Lord will not exonerate anyone who abuses his name that way.[e]

12 “Be careful to observe[f] the Sabbath day just as the Lord your God has commanded you.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 5:10 tn This theologically rich term (חֶסֶד, khesed) describes God’s loyalty to those who keep covenant with him. Sometimes it is used synonymously with בְּרִית (berit, “covenant”; Deut 7:9), and sometimes interchangeably with it (Deut 7:12). See H.-J. Zobel, TDOT 5:44-64.
  2. Deuteronomy 5:10 tc By a slight emendation (לֲאַלֻּפִים [laʾallufim] for לַאֲלָפִים [laʾalafim]) “clans” could be read in place of the MT reading “thousands.” However, no ms or versional evidence exists to support this emendation.tn Another option is to understand this as referring to “thousands (of generations) of those who love me” (cf. NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT). See Deut 7:9.
  3. Deuteronomy 5:10 tn Heb “love.” See note on the word “reject” in v. 9.
  4. Deuteronomy 5:11 tn Heb “take up the name of the Lord your God to emptiness”; KJV “take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” The idea here is not cursing or profanity in the modern sense of these terms, but rather the use of the divine Name for unholy, mundane purposes, that is, for meaningless (Hebrew שָׁוְא [shavʾ]) and empty ends. In ancient Israel this would include using the Lord’s name as a witness in vows one did not intend to keep.
  5. Deuteronomy 5:11 tn Heb “who takes up his name to emptiness.”
  6. Deuteronomy 5:12 tn Heb “to make holy,” that is, to put to special use, in this case, to sacred purposes (cf. vv. 13-15).

10 but showing love to a thousand(A) generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.(B)

11 “You shall not misuse the name(C) of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.(D)

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,(E) as the Lord your God has commanded you.

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