Exodus 23:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But if you listen to what he says and do everything I tell you, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

Berean Standard Bible:

But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

American Standard Version:

But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But if thou shalt indeed^{H8085} obey^{H8085} his voice^{H6963}, and do^{H6213} all that I speak^{H1696}; then I will be an enemy^{H340} unto thine enemies^{H341}, and an adversary^{H6887} unto thine adversaries^{H6696}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Exodus 23:22

Exodus 23:22 is part of the Mosaic covenant, which is a collection of laws and stipulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. This verse is situated within the broader context of the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22–23:33), which follows the Ten Commandments and provides further ethical and religious instructions. The historical context places this verse after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.

The theme of Exodus 23:22 is conditional loyalty and divine protection. In this verse, God promises to stand against the enemies of the Israelites if they adhere to His commands. The condition for this divine protection is obedience to God's voice and the fulfillment of all His commands. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where blessings are contingent upon obedience. The verse emphasizes the importance of loyalty to God's laws, with the assurance that such faithfulness will be met with God's active opposition to those who oppose His people.

In essence, Exodus 23:22 conveys a powerful message of assurance to the Israelites that their obedience to God will result in His direct involvement in their defense against adversaries. This promise of divine intervention serves both as a deterrent to potential enemies and as an incentive for the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant with God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6963
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוֹל
   Transliteration: qôwl
   Pronunciation: kole
   Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H340
   There are 143 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָיַב
   Transliteration: ʼâyab
   Pronunciation: aw-yab'
   Description: a primitive root; to hate (as one of an opposite tribe or party); hence to be hostile; be an enemy.
   
6. Strong's Number: H341
   There are 481 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹיֵב
   Transliteration: ʼôyêb
   Pronunciation: o-yabe'
   Description: or (fully) אוֹיֵב; active participle of אָיַב; hating; an adversary; enemy, foe.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6887
   There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָרַר
   Transliteration: tsârar
   Pronunciation: tsaw-rar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive; adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6696
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צוּר
   Transliteration: tsûwr
   Pronunciation: tsoor
   Description: a primitive root; to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile); adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags.