TRV
Translation
King James Version
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
Complete Jewish Bible
You are not to worship their gods, serve them or follow their practices; rather, you are to demolish them completely and smash their standing-stones to pieces.
Berean Standard Bible
You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.
American Standard Version
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and break in pieces their pillars.
World English Bible Messianic
You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Thou shalt not bow downe to their gods, neither serue them, nor doe after the workes of them: but vtterly ouerthrowe them, and breake in pieces their images.
Young's Literal Translation
`Thou dost not bow thyself to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their doings, but dost utterly devote them, and thoroughly break their standing pillars.
See also
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In the KJVVerse 2,169 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Exodus 23 verses 20–33
20 ¶ Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.
22 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.
23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Three gracious promises are here made to Israel, to engage them to their duty and encourage them in it; and each of the promises has some needful precepts and cautions joined to it.
I. It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise: Behold, I send an angel before thee (Exo 23:20), my angel (Exo 23:23), a created angel, say some, a minister of God's providence, employed in conducting and protecting the camp of Israel; that it might appear that God took a particular care of them, he appointed one of his chief servants to make it his business to attend them, and see that they wanted for nothing. Others suppose it to be the Son of God, the angel of the covenant; for the Israelites in the wilderness are said to tempt Christ; and we may as well suppose him God's messenger, and the church's Redeemer, before his incarnation, as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. And we may the rather think he was pleased to undertake the deliverance and guidance of Israel because they were typical of his great undertaking. It is promised that this blessed angel should keep them in the way, though it lay through a wilderness first, and afterwards through their enemies' country; thus God's spiritual Israel shall be kept through the wilderness of this earth, and from the insults of the gates of hell. It is also promised that he should bring them into the place which God had not only designed but prepared for them: and thus Christ has prepared a place for his followers, and will preserve them to it, for he is faithful to him that appointed him. The precept joined with this promise is that they be observant of, and obedient to, this angel whom God would send before them (Exo 23:21): "Beware of him, and obey his voice in every thing; provoke him not in any thing, for it is at your peril if you do, he will visit your iniquity." Note, 1. Christ is the author of salvation to those only that obey him. The word of command is Hear you him, Mat 17:5. Observe what he hath commanded, Mat 28:20. 2. Our necessary dependence upon the divine power and goodness should awe us into obedience. We do well to take heed of provoking our protector and benefactor, because if our defence depart from us, and the streams of his goodness be cut off, we are undone. Therefore, "Beware of him, and carry it towards him with all possible reverence and caution. Fear the Lord, and his goodness." 3. Christ will be faithful to those who are faithful to him, and will espouse their cause who adhere to his: I will be an adversary to thine adversaries, Exo 23:22. The league shall be offensive and defensive, like that with Abraham, I will bless him that blesseth thee, and curse him that curseth thee. Thus is God pleased to twist his interests and friendships with his people's.
II. It is promised that they should have a comfortable settlement in the land of Canaan, which they hoped now (though it proved otherwise) within a few months to be in the possession of, Exo 23:24-26. Observe, 1. How reasonable the conditions of this promise are - only that they should serve their own God, who was indeed the only true God, and not the gods of the nations, which were no gods at all, and which they had no reason at all to have any respect for. They must not only not worship their gods, but they must utterly overthrow them, in token of their great abhorrence of idolatry, their resolution never to worship idols themselves, and their care to prevent any other from worshipping them; as the converted conjurors burnt their books, Act 19:19. 2. How rich the particulars of this promise are. (1.) The comfort of their food. He shall bless thy bread and thy water; and God's blessing will make bread and water more refreshing and nourishing than a feast of fat things and wines on the lees without that blessing. (2.) The continuance of their health: "I will take sickness away, either prevent it or remove it. Thy land shall not be visited with epidemical diseases, which are very dreadful, and sometimes have laid countries waste." (3.) The increase of their wealth. Their cattle should not be barren, nor cast their young, which is mentioned as an instance of prosperity, Job 21:10. (4.) The prolonging of their lives to old age: "The number of thy days I will fulfil, and they shall not be cut off in the midst by untimely deaths." Thus hath godliness the promise of the life that now is.
III. It is promised that they should conquer and subdue their enemies, the present occupants of the land of Canaan, who must be driven out to make room for them. This God would do, 1. Effectually by his power (Exo 23:17, Exo 23:18); not so much by the sword and bow of Israel as by the terrors which he would strike into the Canaanites. Though they were so obstinate as not to be willing to submit to Israel, resign their country, and retire elsewhere, which they might have done, yet they were so dispirited that they were not able to stand before them. This completed their ruin; such power had the devil in them that they would resist, but such power had God over them that they could not. I will send my fear before thee; and those that fear will soon flee. Hosts of hornets made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God make use of for the chastising of his people's enemies, as in the plagues of Egypt. When God pleases, hornets can drive out Canaanites, as well as lions could, Jos 24:12. 2. He would do it gradually, in wisdom (Exo 23:29, Exo 23:30), not all at once, but by little and little. As the Canaanites had kept possession till Israel had grown into a people, so there should still be some remains of them till Israel should grow so numerous as to replenish the whole. Note, The wisdom of God is to be observed in the gradual advances of the church's interests. It is in real kindness to the church that its enemies are subdued by little and little; for thus we are kept upon our guard, and in a continual dependence upon God. Corruptions are thus driven out of the hearts of God's people; not all at once, but by little and little; the old man is crucified, and therefore dies slowly. God, in his providence, often delays mercies, because we are not ready for them. Canaan has room enough to receive Israel, but Israel is not numerous enough to occupy Canaan. We are not straitened in God; if we are straitened, it is in ourselves. The land of Canaan is promised them (Exo 23:31) in its utmost extent, which yet they were not possessed of till the days of David; and by their sins they soon lost possession. The precept annexed to this promise is that they should not make any friendship, nor have any familiarity, with idolaters, Exo 23:32, Exo 23:33. Idolaters must not so much as sojourn in their land, unless they renounced their idolatry. Thus they must avoid the reproach of intimacy with the worshippers of false gods and the danger of being drawn to worship with them. By familiar converse with idolaters, their dread and detestation of the sin would wear off; they would think it no harm, in compliment to their friends, to pay some respect to their gods, and so by degrees would be drawn into the fatal snare. Note, Those that would be kept from bad courses must keep from bad company; it is dangerous living in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be our snares, if we look not well to ourselves. We must always look upon our greatest danger to be from those that would cause us to sin against God. Whatever friendship is pretended, that is really our worst enemy that draws us from our duty.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 20–33. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 23:24, a pivotal command within the "Book of the Covenant," lays down an uncompromising directive for ancient Israel as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. It unequivocally prohibits any form of allegiance, worship, or participation in the practices of the Canaanite deities. Beyond mere avoidance, the verse mandates the aggressive and complete destruction of all physical manifestations of pagan religion—their altars, sacred pillars, and carved images. This divine injunction powerfully underscores Yahweh's exclusive claim on Israel's worship, serving as an essential safeguard against spiritual corruption and syncretism, thereby ensuring the purity and integrity of their unique covenant relationship with the one true God.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 23:24 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its imperative and uncompromising message. The most prominent is Parallelism and Antithesis, seen in the juxtaposition of three negative commands ("Thou shalt not bow down... nor serve them... nor do after their works") followed by two affirmative, forceful commands ("but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images"). This structure creates a powerful Contrast between what is strictly forbidden and what is actively required, emphasizing both abstinence from idolatry and aggressive eradication of its physical manifestations. The use of strong, active verbs like "overthrow" (hâraç) and "break down" (shâbar) contributes to the intense Emphasis and underscores the uncompromising, total nature of the divine mandate. The verse itself functions as a direct Imperative, reflecting the authoritative voice of God and the non-negotiable terms of the covenant, leaving no room for ambiguity or partial obedience.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse stands as a foundational statement on the absolute exclusivity of Yahweh's claim on Israel's worship, demanding undivided allegiance and rejecting any form of syncretism. Theologically, it teaches that true worship requires both a complete abstention from false worship and an active, zealous commitment to God's standards, emphasizing the radical purity required of a people set apart for His holy purposes. The command to actively destroy idols reveals that idolatry is not merely a spiritual error or a harmless alternative, but a tangible affront to God's sovereignty, His holiness, and His jealous love for His people, necessitating a forceful and complete eradication of its symbols and practices. This principle extends beyond physical idols to any object, ideology, or pursuit that usurps God's rightful place as the supreme object of our devotion and trust.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While contemporary believers are not called to physically dismantle pagan altars or smash carved images in the literal sense, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Exodus 23:24 remain profoundly relevant and urgently applicable for modern discipleship. This verse challenges us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to identify and confront any "gods" or "images" that subtly or overtly compete for the ultimate devotion of our hearts, minds, and lives. These may manifest as an idolatry of self, wealth, career, comfort, relationships, reputation, or even noble causes that, when elevated above God, displace Him from His rightful supremacy. The command to "utterly overthrow" and "quite break down" translates into a proactive, intentional, and often painful process of dismantling ungodly habits, rejecting worldly philosophies, renouncing allegiances that compromise our fidelity to Christ, and severing ties with anything that hinders our full devotion. It calls us to cultivate a counter-cultural holiness, living a life distinctively set apart from the prevailing values and practices of a world that often worships created things rather than the Creator. This active pursuit of spiritual purity is essential for maintaining the integrity of our covenant relationship with God and for living as His radiant witnesses in a broken and idol-prone world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this command apply to Christians today, given we don't encounter physical idols?
Answer: While the direct command to physically destroy pagan altars and images was specific to ancient Israel entering Canaan, the underlying spiritual principle of exclusive devotion to God and the zealous rejection of idolatry is profoundly applicable to Christians today. The New Testament reinterprets idolatry not merely as the worship of physical statues but as anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts and lives. This can include greed (which is explicitly called idolatry in Colossians 3:5), materialism, self-worship, the pursuit of power, pleasure, or even the adoration of created things above the Creator (Romans 1:25). We are exhorted to "flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14) and to be transformed by the renewal of our minds, rather than conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). Thus, the command to "overthrow" and "break down" becomes a spiritual mandate to dismantle anything in our lives that competes with our ultimate allegiance to Christ.
What does "do after their works" mean specifically in the context of Canaanite practices?
Answer: "Do after their works" refers to adopting or imitating the rituals, customs, and moral behaviors associated with the Canaanite religions and their broader culture. These "works" encompassed a wide range of practices that were an abomination to Yahweh and fundamentally antithetical to His holiness. This included various forms of divination (e.g., fortune-telling, sorcery, spiritism), child sacrifice (often to Molech), cultic prostitution (sexual acts performed in the context of worship to promote fertility), and other morally corrupt behaviors that were integral to their worship and societal structure. The command was a comprehensive prohibition against syncretism, ensuring that Israel would not blend Yahweh worship with these unholy and defiling practices. Deuteronomy 18:9-12 provides a more detailed list of such detestable practices that Israel was strictly commanded to avoid.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 23:24, with its uncompromising demand for exclusive worship and the active dismantling of idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel repeatedly struggled with the pervasive temptation of idolatry, Jesus perfectly embodied undivided devotion to God, declaring with absolute clarity, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve" (Matthew 4:10). He is the true Temple, the very presence of God dwelling among us (John 1:14), rendering all other forms of worship obsolete and all idols utterly powerless. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and glorious resurrection, Christ cleanses us from "dead works" (Hebrews 9:14), which encompass all forms of spiritual idolatry, enabling us to offer true worship "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). Furthermore, Christ's triumph on the cross decisively disarmed the spiritual principalities and powers that often stand behind idolatrous systems, making "a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in him" (Colossians 2:15)—a profound spiritual "overthrow" of the forces of darkness. As believers in Christ, we are the new Israel, a "holy nation" and a "people for his own possession" (1 Peter 2:9), empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to actively "put to death" the spiritual idols of our flesh and the world (Colossians 3:5-6), living lives of radical devotion and unwavering obedience to the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.