Exodus 23:32

Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

Thou shalt make {H3772} no covenant {H1285} with them, nor with their gods {H430}.

You are not to make a covenant with them or with their gods.

You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

Commentary

Exodus 23:32 delivers a crucial command to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, emphasizing strict separation from the indigenous peoples and their religious practices.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Exodus (chapters 20-23) known as the Book of the Covenant, which outlines God's laws and stipulations for Israel's conduct. Following instructions on social justice, sabbath observance, and annual feasts, God warns Israel about the dangers of the Canaanite nations they are about to dispossess. The preceding verses in Exodus 23:23-31 detail God's promise to drive out the inhabitants of the land, provided Israel obeys His voice and does not bow down to their gods. This command directly reinforces the need for Israel's spiritual purity and loyalty to Yahweh alone.

Key Themes

  • Divine Exclusivity and Monotheism: The command "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods" underscores God's absolute demand for exclusive worship. It is a direct reaffirmation of the First Commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". Yahweh would not tolerate syncretism or the blending of His worship with pagan practices.
  • Purity and Separation: God intended Israel to be a distinct, holy nation (Exodus 19:6), set apart for His purposes. Forming covenants (binding agreements or treaties) with the Canaanites would inevitably lead to exposure to and adoption of their idolatrous customs, undermining Israel's unique relationship with God.
  • Warning Against Idolatry: The primary danger of such covenants was the temptation to worship foreign deities. The Canaanite religions involved practices like child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and nature worship, which were abhorrent to God. This prohibition served as a protective measure to prevent Israel from falling into spiritual apostasy, as seen in later historical accounts such as Judges 2:2-3.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "covenant" is berit (Χ‘Φ°ΦΌΧ¨Φ΄Χ™Χͺ), which signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often sealed with oaths and sacrifices. To make a berit with the Canaanites would have meant entering into a relationship that compromised Israel's foundational covenant with God. The term "gods" refers to the various pagan deities worshipped by the surrounding nations, such as Baal and Asherah, which God explicitly commanded Israel to reject.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 23:32 serves as a timeless principle regarding spiritual compromise. While we are called to be in the world, we are not to be of the world. This verse warns against forming "covenants" or deep alliances with influences, philosophies, or practices that contradict God's truth and lead us away from Him. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and undivided devotion to God, echoing the New Testament call to "be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" when it comes to fundamental spiritual alignment and purpose. Our ultimate loyalty must always be to the one true God, guarding against any form of modern-day idolatry that might compete for our affection or allegiance.

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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 7:2 (10 votes)

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Exodus 34:12 (10 votes)

    Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

  • Exodus 34:15 (7 votes)

    Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and [one] call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

  • Deuteronomy 7:16 (6 votes)

    And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that [will be] a snare unto thee.

  • Psalms 106:35 (6 votes)

    But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

  • Numbers 25:1 (5 votes)

    ΒΆ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

  • Numbers 25:2 (5 votes)

    And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.