Deuteronomy 6:16

16 You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in 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 go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are round about you;

15 for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

16 You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in Massah.

17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you.

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