Matthew Poole and continuators on Exodus 20:12

12 Honour thy father and thy mother : that thy dayes may be long upon the land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Which word doth not onely note the reverence, love, and obedience we owe them, but also support and maintenance, as appears from Mat. 15. 4, 5, 6. and from the like signification of that word 1 Tim. 5. 3, 17. which is so natural and necessary a duty, that the Iews say, a man is bound even to beg, or to work with his hands that he may relieve his parents.

The father is put first here, and the mother, Lev. 19. 3. to shew that we owe this duty promiscuously and indifferently to both of them. Compare Exod. 21. 15, 17. Deut. 21. 18. and 27. 16. Prov. 20. 20. and 30. 17. And, because these laws are brief and yet comprehensive, under these are contained all our Superiours and Governours.

Heb. that they, i. e. thy Parents, may prolong thy days, or, the days of thy life, to wit, instrumentally, by their prayers made to God for thee, and by their blessing in my name conferred upon thee: though the active verb is commonly taken impersonally, as Iob 7. 3. Prov. 9. 11. Luk. 12. 10. and so it may be here, they prolong, for, be prolonged.

Marginal references: Levit. 19. 3. Deut. 5. 16. Eph. 6. 2.