Deuteronomy 6:16

16 "¹You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, ²as 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 "You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you,

15 for the LORD your God in the midst of 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 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.

17 "You should diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you.

18 "You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD , that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers,

Cross References

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