Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 19:3
What does Leviticus 19:3 mean?
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Leviticus 19:3
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The text places reverence for parents right next to the observance of the Sabbath, suggesting that upholding family honor and honoring God's holy day are foundational to Israel's sacred calling. This isn't just about obeying rules; it's about a holistic devotion that starts in the home and extends to God's commands.
Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse appears in the middle of Leviticus chapter 19, a section that lays out practical instructions for holy living among God's people, following the initial covenant-making at Mount Sinai. Immediately before and after this verse, God is establishing the ethical framework for Israel, emphasizing that their holiness should mirror His own. Therefore, honoring parents and keeping the Sabbath are presented not as isolated rules, but as fundamental practices that build a society centered on reverence for God.
Why does Leviticus put 'mother' before 'father' here? Discover the profound meaning of 'fear' and how it builds the very structure of family and society.
This verse grounds the call to holiness in the most fundamental human relationships.
A Two-Part Command
Leviticus 19:3 immediately links two crucial commandments: honoring parents and observing the Sabbath. This isn't accidental.
The Priority of Parents
Notice how it says, 'every one of you shall revere his mother and his father.' The mother is mentioned first. This might seem unusual, but it highlights that this reverence is foundational. It's about recognizing the authority and personhood of those who gave you life and nurtured you.
The 'fear' here isn't about being terrified; it's a deep, profound reverence. It includes respect, obedience, and valuing their counsel. This familial respect is the bedrock upon which a just society is built.
The Divine Link
This honor is presented as a direct reflection of our relationship with God. Parents are God's representatives in bringing us into the world and raising us. Honoring them acknowledges the divine order.
The Sabbath is listed right alongside honoring parents. What does this sacred rest reveal about God's design for our lives and His relationship with us?
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The commandment to 'keep my Sabbaths' isn't just about ceasing work; it's a vital spiritual practice.
A Sign of Relationship
By commanding the Sabbath, God establishes a rhythm for His people. It's a tangible reminder that He is Lord – the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. It sets Israel apart as a holy nation dedicated to Him.
The Priority of God's Commands
Crucially, the text links parental authority with God's authority. While children must honor their parents, this honor is limited. If parents command something that violates God's law – especially something as central as the Sabbath – God's command takes precedence. We must prioritize obedience to the Lord above all else.
This shows that true reverence for parents doesn't mean blind obedience; it means understanding that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.
Understand the original words
yare · Hebrew Verb
To stand in awe of, fear, or respect with deep reverence. It involves honoring the authority and status of another, particularly parents in the context of divine law.
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day set apart by God for rest and worship, commemorating His creation and deliverance. It functions as a sign of the covenant between God and His people.
This passage directly parallels Leviticus 19:3 by stating the commandment to honor father and mother, highlighting the foundational importance of family respect within God's law.
Ephesians 6:1-3The New Testament reinforces this Old Testament command, showing that honoring parents is not just an ancient law but a principle that continues to be a righteous and promising way of life for believers.
Proverbs 1:8-9This proverb illustrates the essence of 'fearing' parents mentioned in Leviticus, emphasizing that their instruction is a beautiful garland of grace and chains of beauty for the head, leading to wisdom.
Matthew 15:4-6Jesus addresses the tension between honoring parents and religious practice, mirroring the connection made in Leviticus between filial duty and observing God's commands like the Sabbath, showing that true honor upholds God's law.
Deuteronomy 5:16This passage repeats the commandment from Exodus 20, reinforcing that the long life promised for honoring parents is directly tied to the Lord your God, connecting our obedience to Him with our obedience to our earthly parents.
bensonLeviticus 19:3: "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 19:3 . His mother — The mother is put first, partly because the practice of this duty begins there, mothers, by perpetual converse, being sooner known to their children than their fathers; and partly because this duty is commonly neglected to the mother, upon whom children have not so much dependance as they have upon their father. And this fear includes the two great du…
clarkeLeviticus 19:3: "Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God."
Ye shall fear every man his mother, etc. - Ye shall have the profoundest reverence and respect for them. See Clarke's note on Genesis 48:12 , and see Clarke's note on Exodus 20:8 , and see Clarke's note on Exodus 20:12 .
The text places reverence for parents right next to the observance of the Sabbath, suggesting that upholding family honor and honoring God's holy day are foundational to Israel's sacred calling. This isn't just about obeying rules; it's about a holistic devotion that starts in the home and extends to God's commands.
This verse appears in the middle of Leviticus chapter 19, a section that lays out practical instructions for holy living among God's people, following the initial covenant-making at Mount Sinai. Immediately before and after this verse, God is establishing the ethical framework for Israel, emphasizing that their holiness should mirror His own. Therefore, honoring parents and keeping the Sabbath are presented not as isolated rules, but as fundamental practices that build a society centered on reverence for God.
This verse appears in the middle of Leviticus chapter 19, a section that lays out practical instructions for holy living among God's people, following the initial covenant-making at Mount Sinai. Immediately before and after this verse, God is establishing the ethical framework for Israel, emphasizing that their holiness should mirror His own. Therefore, honoring parents and keeping the Sabbath are presented not as isolated rules, but as fundamental practices that build a society centered on reverence for God.
"Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." — The text places reverence for parents right next to the observance of the Sabbath, suggesting that upholding family honor and honoring God's holy day are foundational to Israel's sacred calling. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026