Deuteronomy 6:16

16 Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah. ^[a]

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. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

16 Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

17 You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and the testimonies and statutes He has given you.

18 Do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, so that it may be well with you and that you may enter and possess the good land that the LORD your God swore to give your fathers,

Footnotes

• [a]. Massah means testing; see Exodus 17:7; cited in Matthew 4:7 and Luke 4:12.