TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 20:22–26. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Moses having gone into the thick darkness, where God was, God there spoke in his hearing only, privately and without terror, all that follows hence to the end of ch. 23, which is mostly an exposition of the ten commandments; and he was to transmit it by word of mouth first, and afterwards in writing, to the people. The laws in these verses related to God's worship.
I.They are here forbidden to make images for worship (Exo 20:22, Exo 20:23):
You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven (such was his wonderful condescension, much more than for some mighty prince to talk familiarly with a company of poor beggars); now you shall not make gods of silver.
1.This repetition of the second commandment comes in here, either (1.) As pointing to that which God had chiefly in view in giving them this law in this manner, that is, their peculiar addictedness to idolatry, and the peculiar sinfulness of that crime. Ten commandments God had given them, but Moses is ordered to inculcate upon them especially the first two. They must not forget any of them, but they must be sure to remember those. Or, (2.) As pointing to that which might properly be inferred from God's speaking to them as he had done. He had given them sufficient demonstration of his presence among them; they needed not to make images of him, as if he were absent. Besides, they had only seen that he talked with them; they had seen no manner of similitude, so that they could not make any image of God; and his manifesting himself to them only by a voice plainly showed them that they must not make any such image, but keep up their communion with God by his word, and not otherwise.
2.Two arguments are here hinted against image-worship: - (1.) That thereby they would affront God, intimated in that, You shall not make with me gods. Though they pretended to worship them but as representations of God, yet really they made them rivals with God, which he would not endure. (2.) That thereby they would abuse themselves, intimated in that, "You shall not make unto you gods; while you think by them to assist your devotion, you will really corrupt it, and put a cheat upon yourselves." At first, it should seem, they made their images for worship of gold and silver, pretending, by the richness of those metals, to honour God, and, by the brightness of them, to affect themselves with his glory; but, even in these, they changed the truth of God into a lie, and so, by degrees, were justly given up to such strong delusions as to worship images of wood or stone.
II.They are here directed in making altars for worship:
it is meant of occasional altars, such as they reared now in the wilderness, before the tabernacle was erected, and afterwards upon special emergencies, for present use, such as Gideon built (Jdg 6:24), Manoah (Jdg 13:19), Samuel (Sa1 7:17), and many others. We may suppose, now that the people of Israel were, with this glorious discovery which God had made of himself to them, that many of them would incline, in this pang of devotion, to offer sacrifice to God; and, it being necessary to a sacrifice that there be an alter, they are here appointed,
1.To make their altars very plain, either of earth or of unhewn stone, Exo 20:24, Exo 20:25. That they might not be tempted to think of a graven image, they must not so much as hew into shape the stones that they made their altars of, but pile them up as they were, in the rough. This rule being prescribed before the establishment of the ceremonial law, which appointed altars much more costly, intimates that, after the period of that law, plainness should be accepted as the best ornament of the external services of religion, and that gospel-worship should not be performed with external pomp and gaiety. The beauty of holiness needs no paint, nor do those do any service to the spouse of Christ that dress her in the attire of a harlot, as the church of Rome does: an altar of earth does best.
2.To make their altars very low (Exo 20:26), so that they might not go up by steps to them. That the higher the altar was, and the nearer heaven, the more acceptable the sacrifice was, was a foolish fancy of the heathen, who therefore chose high places; in opposition to this, and to show that it is the elevation of the heart, not of the sacrifice, that God looks at, they were here ordered to make their altars low. We may suppose that the altars they reared in the wilderness, and other occasional altars, were designed only for the sacrifice of one beast at a time; but the altar in Solomon's temple, which was to be made much longer and broader, that it might contain many sacrifices at once, was made ten cubits high, that the height might bear a decent proportion to the length and breadth; and to that it was requisite they should go up by steps, which yet, no doubt, were so contrived as to prevent the inconvenience here spoken of, the discovering of their nakedness thereon.
III.They are here assured of God's gracious acceptance of their devotions, wherever they were paid according to his will (Exo 20:24):
In all places where I record my name, or where my name is recorded (that is, where I am worshipped in sincerity), I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. Afterwards, God chose one particular place wherein to record his name: but that being taken away now under the gospel, when men are encouraged to pray every where, this promise revives in its full extent, that, wherever God's people meet in his name to worship him, he will be in the midst of them, he will honour them with his presence, and reward them with the gifts of his grace; there he will come unto them, and will bless them, and more than this we need not desire for the beautifying of our solemn assemblies.
Continue studying Exodus 20:23 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Exodus 20:23 serves as a critical reinforcement and practical application of the foundational commandments, unequivocally prohibiting the creation of idols from precious metals like silver and gold. This verse profoundly underscores Yahweh's absolute demand for exclusive worship, His incomparable and transcendent nature that defies any human-made representation, and the inherent futility and blasphemy of attempting to fashion a deity or a likeness of the Most High God from material substances, no matter how valuable. It establishes a non-negotiable boundary for Israel's covenant relationship with God, sharply distinguishing Him from the tangible, man-made deities prevalent in the surrounding pagan cultures.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is strategically positioned immediately following the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, which are presented as the foundational covenant stipulations in Exodus 20. Specifically, it serves as a direct, practical elaboration on the first two commandments: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3) and "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" (Exodus 20:4). Exodus 20:23 transitions into the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:22-23:33), providing specific legal and ethical instructions derived from the broader principles of the Decalogue. By explicitly naming silver and gold, the verse addresses the most common and valued materials used for idols in the ancient world, leaving no ambiguity about the comprehensive rejection of any human attempt to "make" or represent God, or to create rival deities, even with the most esteemed resources.
Historical & Cultural Context
The ancient Near East was characterized by pervasive polytheism, where the worship of deities through elaborate physical images was a central religious practice. Cultures like those in Egypt, from which Israel had just been delivered, and Canaan, into which they were heading, routinely fashioned idols from various materials, including abundant precious metals. These cultic images were often believed to embody the god's presence, serve as conduits for divine power, or even be the god itself. For the newly formed nation of Israel, called to be a distinct people set apart for Yahweh, this command was revolutionary. It established a radical counter-cultural identity, emphasizing that the God of Israel was transcendent, invisible, incomparable, and utterly unlike any human-made object. The tragic incident of the golden calf in Exodus 32:1-6, occurring shortly after this command, vividly illustrates Israel's immediate susceptibility to this pervasive cultural practice and the severe consequences of violating this fundamental prohibition.
Key Themes
Exodus 20:23 strongly reinforces the theme of God's uniqueness and incomparability. Unlike the gods of the nations, Yahweh cannot be confined to or represented by physical forms; He is Spirit and transcends all creation. This leads to the theme of exclusive worship (monotheism), demanding that Israel's allegiance be solely to Yahweh, with no rivals or substitutes. The verse also highlights the folly and futility of idolatry, demonstrating that human attempts to create or control deity are inherently powerless and an affront to the true Creator. Furthermore, it underscores the theme of covenant fidelity, as adherence to this command is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Israel's special relationship with God, distinguishing them as a holy nation set apart from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors, as seen throughout the narratives in Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In the context of Exodus 20:23, it emphasizes the human agency involved in creating these "gods." This stands in stark contrast to Yahweh, who is the uncreated Creator, the one who "makes" all things but cannot Himself be "made" or contained by human hands. The prohibition highlights the absurdity and blasphemy of humanity attempting to create that which is inherently superior and transcendent, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over all creation.
This plural noun refers to "gods in the ordinary sense," often denoting false deities or idols, as it does here. While ʼĕlôhîym can also refer to the one true God, its usage in this context, especially in conjunction with human fabrication, clearly points to the multitude of pagan gods worshipped by surrounding nations. The command is a direct rejection of syncretism or polytheism, asserting Yahweh's unique and exclusive claim to divinity. It signifies that no other entity, whether conceived in the mind or fashioned by hand, can stand alongside or in place of the Lord.
This term refers to "silver (from its pale color); by implication, money." Its explicit mention, alongside gold, specifies the most valuable and enduring materials used for idol construction in the ancient world. This underscores that even the most precious, beautiful, or seemingly permanent human creations are utterly worthless and powerless as objects of worship. The command preempts any argument that a god made of valuable material might somehow be more potent or worthy than one made of wood or stone, asserting that no material can imbue an object with divine essence or make it a suitable object of worship.
Verse Breakdown
"Ye shall not make with me gods of silver"
This clause directly prohibits the creation of idols from silver. The crucial phrase "with me" (עִמָּדִי, ‘immadi) implies "alongside me," "in competition with me," or "in my presence." It signifies that Yahweh tolerates no rivals or substitutes in worship. To fashion a silver idol, even if intended to represent Him (which is also forbidden by the second commandment), or to worship another god, is a direct affront to His unique sovereignty and holy presence. This highlights God's zealous demand for exclusive devotion.
"neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold"
This second clause functions as a parallel reinforcement and expansion of the first, extending the prohibition to idols made of gold. The repetition of "ye shall not make" emphasizes the absolute and comprehensive nature of the command. By specifying both silver and gold, the most esteemed materials, the text leaves no room for exceptions based on the value or perceived glory of the idol's substance. The command is against any human attempt to create a deity for oneself, regardless of the material used, reinforcing the idea that God is utterly beyond human fabrication.
Literary Devices
Exodus 20:23 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Repetition is evident in the phrase "Ye shall not make," which appears twice, emphasizing the absolute and unwavering nature of the prohibition. This repetition serves to engrain the command firmly in the minds of the Israelites, highlighting its critical importance. Parallelism is also central, as "gods of silver" is directly paralleled with "gods of gold." This specific type of synonymous parallelism reinforces the comprehensive scope of the prohibition, indicating that no precious metal, no matter how valuable or aesthetically pleasing, can be used to fashion a deity. Furthermore, there is a powerful implicit contrast between the transcendent, invisible, and living God of Israel and the tangible, human-made, lifeless idols. This contrast underscores the folly and futility of idolatry, setting apart Yahweh as incomparable and beyond human fabrication or representation, thereby elevating His unique divine nature.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 20:23 profoundly articulates God's absolute demand for exclusive worship and His unique, incomparable nature. It reinforces the theological truth that God is utterly distinct from His creation, transcendent, and cannot be confined, represented, or manipulated by human hands or materials. The prohibition against silver and gold idols underscores that true worship is not about material value, human artistry, or physical representation, but about a spiritual relationship with the living God who reveals Himself. This command is rooted in God's holiness and His zealous love for His people, desiring that their devotion be undivided and pure, uncorrupted by the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations. It teaches that anything we create or value above God becomes a false god, diverting our ultimate loyalty, trust, and affection from the Creator to the created.
Reflection and Application
While modern society may not typically bow down to physical idols of silver or gold, the timeless principle of Exodus 20:23 remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry, in its broader sense, is anything that takes the place of God in our lives, demanding our ultimate loyalty, trust, and devotion. This can manifest in subtle but pervasive ways: the excessive pursuit of wealth, comfort, or material possessions; the worship of one's career, reputation, or influence; placing a relationship or even a family member above God's will; or an egocentric focus where one's own desires and comfort become the ultimate guide for life. This verse calls believers to a rigorous examination of their hearts and priorities, ensuring that God alone holds the supreme and uncontested place. Just as the Israelites were cautioned against creating physical representations, we are cautioned against allowing anything to become a substitute for our worship and relationship with the living God. Our spiritual health and flourishing depend on identifying and dismantling these modern "gods of silver and gold" that compete for the allegiance of our hearts, ensuring that our lives are centered on the one true God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does God specifically mention silver and gold, rather than just "any material"?
God specifically mentions silver and gold because these were the most valuable, durable, and prestigious materials used for crafting idols in the ancient Near East. By explicitly prohibiting idols made from these precious metals, God emphasizes several points: first, that no material, no matter how costly or beautiful, can imbue an object with divine power or worth; second, it directly confronts the common practice of the surrounding pagan cultures who often invested immense wealth into their gods; and third, it highlights the futility of human effort to "make" or improve upon the incomparable, uncreated God. The prohibition is comprehensive, but by naming the most esteemed materials, it leaves no room for the idea that a more valuable idol might be acceptable, underscoring that all human-made deities are equally powerless.
Does this verse mean we can't have any art or statues, even if not for worship?
No, this verse does not prohibit all art or statues. The command is specifically against creating "gods" or objects of worship, or images intended to represent the incomparable God of Israel. The context is about idolatry—the worship of created things or the attempt to confine or represent the infinite God. The Bible itself later describes God commanding the creation of elaborate artistic representations, such as the cherubim on the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18-22) and the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9), which were not objects of worship but symbolic representations or tools for divine purposes. The key distinction lies in the purpose and worship associated with the image; art for aesthetic or teaching purposes is not forbidden.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 20:23, with its stern prohibition against creating idols, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament command against fashioning images of God underscores His transcendence, invisibility, and incomparability. However, in the New Testament, God perfectly and completely reveals Himself in the person of His Son. Jesus is the very "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15), the Word made flesh who dwelt among us (John 1:14), and the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, any human attempt to create an image of God from silver or gold becomes utterly superfluous and even blasphemous, for God has perfectly revealed Himself in the person of His Son. True worship is no longer tied to physical representations or earthly temples, but is to be offered "in spirit and truth" (John 4:24), through Christ, who alone grants access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Jesus Himself frees us from the idolatry of our hearts, calling us to singular allegiance to Him as Lord, for He is the one before whom "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2:9-11). He is the true treasure, far surpassing any "gods of silver or gold" our hearts might be tempted to fashion, and in Him, we see God fully.