Deuteronomy 6:16

16 Do not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah.

Deuteronomy 6:16 in Other Translations

KJV
16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
ESV
16 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.
NLT
16 You must not test the LORD your God as you did when you complained at Massah.
MSG
16 Don't push God, your God, to the wall as you did that day at Massah, the Testing-Place.
CSB
16 Do not test the Lord your God as you tested [Him] at Massah.

Deuteronomy 6:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 6:16

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God
By striving with him or against him, by murmuring at or complaining of his providential dealings with them, or by requiring a sign of him, or miracles to be done by him; this is another passage used by Christ to repel the temptations of Satan, ( Matthew 4:7 ) ,

as tempted him in Massah;
a place so called from the Israelites tempting the Lord there, ( Exodus 17:7 ) , the Targum of Jonathan adds, with ten temptations; see ( Numbers 14:21 ) .

Deuteronomy 6:16 In-Context

14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;
15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.
16 Do not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah.
17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.
18 Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the LORD promised on oath to your ancestors,

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Exodus 17:2; Exodus 17:7; Matthew 4:7*; Luke 4:12*
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