Compare 5.24; Exodus 20.7, 16; Matthew 5.33.

You shall not swear by my name falsely: some others have proposed such translations as: “Do not use my name to give weight to a false promise,” or “Do not use my name to swear anything that is not true,” or “Make no vow (or, Take no oath) in my name deceitfully.” In some languages the verb corresponding to swear in English implies the use of the name of God without having to mention it specifically.

So: this indicates that the dishonor brought on God is the result of the act of making the false promise. This may be handled by making a separate statement such as “doing that would bring dishonor to me (or, my name).” Another suggestion is “showing in this way that you do not respect me.”

Profane the name of your God: since this is a direct quotation, this phrase should be translated “profane my name,” or “disgrace me,” or “bring dishonor to me” in many languages. Since direct speech is being used, the expression the name of your God will have to be “my name” or simply “me.” See 18.21.

I am the LORD: the text leaves implicit the words “your God,” which are found in verses 3, 4, and elsewhere. In some translations they have been made explicit.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .