King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He that sacrificeth unto [any] god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than ADONAI alone is to be completely destroyed.
Berean Standard Bible:
If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.
American Standard Version:
He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto Jehovah only, shall be utterly destroyed.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that sacrificeth{H2076} unto any god{H430}, save{H1115} unto the LORD{H3068} only, he shall be utterly destroyed{H2763}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 17:2
- If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
Deuteronomy 17:5
- Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, [even] that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
Deuteronomy 18:20
- But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Numbers 25:7
- And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw [it], he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
Numbers 25:8
- And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 13:1
- ¶ If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Deuteronomy 13:15
- Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that [is] therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 22:20
1. **Themes:**
- **Monotheism and Exclusive Worship of Yahweh:** Exodus 22:20 emphasizes the theme of strict monotheism, which is central to the religious identity of ancient Israelites. The verse commands that sacrifices, a common form of worship in the ancient world, must be offered solely to the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where loyalty and exclusive worship are expected.
- **Idolatry and Its Consequences:** The verse serves as a stark warning against idolatry, the worship of other gods or deities, which is seen as a grave sin in the Hebrew Bible. The consequence of sacrificing to any god other than Yahweh is severe: the offender is to be "utterly destroyed," indicating a form of capital punishment enforced by the community or by divine decree.
- **Cultic Purity and Religious Authority:** The theme of maintaining cultic purity within the Israelite community is also present. By prohibiting the worship of other gods, the verse seeks to preserve the religious integrity and authority of Yahweh and His sanctuary.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Legislation:** This verse is part of the Covenant Code within the Book of Exodus, which contains a series of laws given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. These laws form the legal and moral foundation for the Israelite society after their deliverance from Egypt.
- **Early Israelite Religion:** The command reflects the historical context of early Israelite religion, which was practiced in a region surrounded by polytheistic cultures. The commandment to worship only Yahweh served to distinguish the religious practices of the Israelites from those of their neighbors, who worshipped a pantheon of gods.
- **Formation of Israelite Identity:** During this period, the Israelites were in the process of forming their national and religious identity. The strict monotheism commanded in Exodus 22:20 was a key factor in shaping this identity, reinforcing the unique relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
In summary, Exodus 22:20 underscores the importance of monotheism and exclusive loyalty to Yahweh in the formation of Israelite religious identity, while also serving as a legislative and theological deterrent against the syncretistic practices of the surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2076
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זָבַח
Transliteration: zâbach
Pronunciation: zaw-bakh'
Description: a primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice); kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H1115
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בִּלְתִּי
Transliteration: biltîy
Pronunciation: bil-tee'
Description: constructive feminine of בָּלָה (equivalent to בְּלִי); properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.; because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H2763
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרַם
Transliteration: châram
Pronunciation: khaw-ram'
Description: a primitive root; to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose; make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away).