Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.

DEUTERONOMY 6:16KJV
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Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 6:16 mean?

Deuteronomy 6:16 warns Israel not to test the LORD by demanding proof that he is present and caring for them. The verse points to Massah, where the people had quarreled over a lack of water and asked whether the LORD was among them (Exodus 17:1–7).

Moses speaks to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land promised to them. His mention of Massah gives the command a concrete example from their journey out of Egypt: a real need for water had become a challenge to the LORD’s presence.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 6:16

  • “tempt” — נָסָה (nasah): The word can mean “test” or “put to the proof.” Here, “tempt” refers to testing the LORD, rather than enticing someone to do wrong.
  • “Massah” — מַסָּה (massah): The name means “testing.” Exodus 17:7 connects the place’s name to the Israelites’ testing of the LORD there.

Why Deuteronomy 6:16 matters

  • The verse points to a particular kind of test. At Massah, the people asked, “Is the LORD among us, or not?” (Exodus 17:7). Their question gives the command its setting.
  • Moses places the warning alongside a call to keep the LORD’s commands. The next verse tells the people to “diligently keep” those commands (Deuteronomy 6:17), linking the warning about Massah with the way they are to respond to the LORD’s instruction.

Where else these words appear

“Massah” Hebrew H4532 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?
  • Deuteronomy 9:22 And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibrothhattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath.
  • Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;

“tempt” Hebrew H5254 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.