Exodus 34:13

KJV

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

KJV (with Strong's)

But ye shall destroy {H5422} their altars {H4196}, break {H7665} their images {H4676}, and cut down {H3772} their groves {H842}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, you are to demolish their altars, smash their standing-stones and cut down their sacred poles;

Berean Standard Bible

Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.

American Standard Version

but ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 34:13 delivers a stark divine imperative for Israel to utterly dismantle all vestiges of Canaanite idolatry—altars, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles—upon entering the Promised Land. This command, issued immediately after the renewal of the covenant following the golden calf apostasy, underscores Yahweh's demand for exclusive worship and His people's complete separation from the syncretistic practices of the surrounding nations, ensuring the purity of their covenant relationship and the sanctity of the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial component of [Exodus 34](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - Covenant Renewal"), a pivotal chapter where God graciously re-establishes His covenant with Israel after their severe transgression involving the [golden calf](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Moses has just received the second set of stone tablets bearing the Ten Commandments, having shattered the first set in righteous anger upon witnessing Israel's idolatry (compare [Exodus 32:19](/exodus/32-19 "Exodus 32:19 - Moses Breaks the Tablets")). In this renewed covenant, God reiterates the terms of their relationship, emphasizing the absolute necessity of loyalty and complete separation from the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations they are about to dispossess. The command to destroy their altars, images, and groves, therefore, serves as a foundational practical outworking of the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"), ensuring Israel's spiritual purity and exclusive devotion to Yahweh in the land. The subsequent commands in [Exodus 34:14-17](/exodus/34-14-17 "Exodus 34:14-17 - Warnings Against Idolatry and Intermarriage") further elaborate on the prohibition of idolatry and intermarriage, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's demand for separation and purity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As Israel stood poised to enter Canaan, they faced a spiritual landscape thoroughly permeated by polytheism and syncretistic practices. The indigenous Canaanite religions were characterized by the worship of numerous deities, most notably Baal (the storm god associated with fertility) and Asherah (his consort, a goddess of fertility and motherhood). Their worship involved elaborate rituals, often conducted at "high places," utilizing altars for sacrifices, sacred pillars (massebot), and cultic poles or stylized trees (asherim). These practices were deeply intertwined with the agricultural cycles and daily life of the Canaanites, aimed at ensuring fertility and prosperity. For Israel, a people called to the exclusive monotheistic worship of Yahweh, the command in [Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Exodus 34:13 - Destroying Idols") was not merely a religious directive but a strategic imperative for national survival and spiritual integrity. It aimed to prevent the insidious assimilation of pagan beliefs and practices that would inevitably compromise their unique covenant relationship with God, a danger later history tragically demonstrated (e.g., [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11-13 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Idolatry and Consequences")).

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 34:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **God's Exclusive Sovereignty and Jealousy**, asserting Yahweh as the one true God who tolerates no rivals and demands undivided worship. This command is a direct outworking of the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me") and the prohibition against idolatry in the [Ten Commandments](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments"). It also highlights the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Purity**, emphasizing that Israel's relationship with Yahweh requires active rejection of all defiling influences and a commitment to holiness. By commanding the destruction of Canaanite religious objects, God underscores the necessity of **Separation and Distinctiveness** for His people, who are called to be a holy nation set apart from the surrounding pagan cultures. This act of dismantling idolatry is essential for maintaining the integrity of the covenant and ensuring the spiritual well-being of the nation as they enter the Promised Land, a land that must be purified for the dwelling of a holy God among His holy people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Hebrew, _nâthats'_):** From H5422, a primitive root meaning "to tear down; beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down." In this context, it signifies a violent, complete demolition, leaving nothing salvageable. It denotes the radical and irreversible removal of the altars, ensuring they can no longer be used for pagan worship.
* **images (Hebrew, _matstsêbâh'_):** From H4676, feminine (causatively) participle of נָצַב; "something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol; garrison, (standing) image, pillar." These were sacred cultic pillars, often unhewn stones, erected in honor of a god or as a memorial. While occasionally used in Israelite contexts for legitimate memorials (e.g., [Genesis 28:18](/genesis/28-18 "Genesis 28:18 - Jacob's Pillar at Bethel")), here they specifically refer to pagan cultic pillars associated with Canaanite fertility rites and idol worship, which were an abomination to Yahweh.
* **groves (Hebrew, _ʼăshêrâh'_):** From H842, or אֲשֵׁירָה; from אָשַׁר; "happy; Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same; grove." This term refers specifically to cultic poles or stylized trees dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often depicted as wooden poles or carved trees. These were prominent symbols of fertility worship and were considered a grave offense to Yahweh, representing a direct challenge to His sovereignty and the purity of Israel's worship. They were often erected alongside Baal altars.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But ye shall destroy their altars":** This initial imperative sets the tone for radical and uncompromising action. The verb "destroy" (Hebrew: _nâthats'_) implies a violent, complete demolition, leaving nothing salvageable or reusable. The focus on "their altars" immediately targets the very locus of pagan worship—the structures upon which sacrifices and offerings were made to false gods, symbolizing the heart of their religious devotion. This command demands the eradication of any physical space consecrated to rival deities, preventing any form of syncretism.
* **"break their images":** The term "images" (Hebrew: _matstsêbâh'_) refers to the sacred standing stones or pillars associated with Canaanite cults. The verb "break" (Hebrew: _shâbar'_) emphasizes the shattering or smashing of these objects, rendering them unusable and desecrated. This action targets the visual and symbolic representations of pagan deities, ensuring that no physical object remains to draw Israel's worship or attention away from Yahweh, thereby eliminating potential spiritual stumbling blocks.
* **"and cut down their groves":** "Groves" (Hebrew: _ʼăshêrâh'_) denotes the cultic poles or stylized trees dedicated to the goddess Asherah. The verb "cut down" (Hebrew: _kârath'_) implies a decisive felling or severing, removing these symbols of fertility worship from the land. The sequence of commands—destroying altars, breaking pillars, and cutting down Asherah poles—forms a comprehensive strategy to purify the land of all tangible expressions of idolatry, leaving no room for syncretism or compromise, and underscoring the absolute nature of God's demand for exclusive worship.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 34:13 employs several potent literary devices to underscore the urgency and totality of God's command. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, with three direct commands—"destroy," "break," and "cut down"—which convey the non-negotiable nature of Yahweh's demand for exclusive worship. This series of commands also demonstrates **Repetition** in action, emphasizing the comprehensive eradication required: not just one type of idol, but all forms. The use of the conjunction "and" between each command ("destroy... and break... and cut down") is an example of **Polysyndeton**, which serves to slow the pace, giving each destructive act equal weight and emphasizing the exhaustive nature of the cleansing. Furthermore, the "altars," "images," and "groves" function as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the entire spectrum of Canaanite idolatry and the spiritual pollution it brought. Their physical destruction symbolizes the spiritual purification and absolute separation God required of His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command in Exodus 34:13 encapsulates fundamental theological truths about God's character and His relationship with His people. It powerfully asserts Yahweh's exclusive sovereignty and His absolute intolerance for idolatry, reinforcing the **First Commandment** ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). This divine mandate underscores the necessity of holiness and separation for Israel, who were called to be a distinct people, set apart for God's purposes, unblemished by the corrupting influences of pagan worship. It highlights the concept of covenant fidelity, where loyalty to Yahweh required active rejection and dismantling of all rival allegiances. The physical destruction of these objects was not merely ritualistic; it was a profound declaration of Yahweh's unique identity as the only true God and the ultimate source of life and blessing, in stark contrast to the impotent and defiling nature of false gods. This command foreshadows God's consistent demand for purity and exclusive devotion throughout biblical history.

* [Deuteronomy 7:5](/deuteronomy/7-5 "Deuteronomy 7:5 - Destroying Idols in Canaan")
* [1 Kings 18:40](/1_kings/18-40 "1 Kings 18:40 - Elijah Slays the Prophets of Baal")
* [Isaiah 2:18](/isaiah/2-18 "Isaiah 2:18 - Idols Utterly Abolished")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While contemporary believers do not encounter physical Canaanite altars or Asherah poles, the spiritual principles embedded in Exodus 34:13 remain profoundly relevant for Christian life today. This command calls us to a radical commitment to exclusive devotion to the one true God, challenging us to identify and dismantle anything in our lives that competes for His rightful place as supreme. Modern "idols" often manifest as subtle attachments to comfort, success, material possessions, social approval, personal ambition, or even a distorted self-image, which can subtly usurp God's sovereignty over our hearts and minds. The call to "destroy" these is a summons to spiritual discernment and decisive action, demanding a ruthless examination of our priorities and allegiances. It compels us to cultivate a life of uncompromised worship, ensuring that our devotion is pure and undivided, reflecting the jealous love of God who desires our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (compare [Matthew 22:37](/matthew/22-37 "Matthew 22:37 - The Greatest Commandment")). This active purification is essential for maintaining spiritual vitality and bearing faithful witness in a world still prone to various forms of idolatry, reminding us that true worship demands the demolition of all rival affections.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "altars," "images," or "groves" (i.e., modern idols or competing loyalties) might exist in my own life that are subtly or overtly drawing my devotion away from God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "destroy," "break," or "cut down" these idols, fostering a more exclusive and undivided worship of God?**
* **How does my commitment to spiritual purity impact my witness and influence within my community and the broader culture?**

### FAQ
**Does this command advocate for violence against people of other faiths?**

Answer: No, this command in [Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Exodus 34:13 - Destroying Idols") is specifically directed at the physical objects of idolatrous worship within the land God was giving to Israel, not at the people themselves. It was a unique directive for Israel as a theocratic nation entering a promised inheritance, intended to prevent the spiritual contamination of the covenant community. The focus is on the eradication of *idolatry* and its symbols, which were considered an abomination to Yahweh and a direct threat to Israel's spiritual purity and covenant fidelity. It is a command for spiritual cleansing of the land, not a general endorsement of religious violence or persecution of individuals.

**How does this command apply to Christians today, since we don't worship physical idols?**

Answer: While Christians do not typically encounter physical altars or Asherah poles in the same way ancient Israel did, the underlying principle of [Exodus 34:13](/exodus/34-13 "Exodus 34:13 - Destroying Idols") remains profoundly relevant. The command calls believers to identify and "destroy" anything that takes precedence over God in their hearts and lives. This includes modern forms of idolatry such as materialism, consumerism, the pursuit of power or status, the worship of self, or even excessive devotion to relationships or hobbies that displace God's rightful supremacy. The New Testament frequently warns against such spiritual idolatry (e.g., [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Idolatry as Covetousness"), [1 John 5:21](/1_john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Keep Yourselves from Idols")). It is a call to exclusive devotion and spiritual purity, ensuring that our worship is directed solely to the one true God, reflecting a heart fully surrendered to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 34:13, with its stern command to dismantle physical idols, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel was called to destroy external symbols of pagan worship, Christ came to address the very root of idolatry: the human heart's innate propensity to worship creation rather than the Creator ([Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Worshiping the Creature Instead of the Creator")). Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and glorious resurrection, effectively "destroyed" the power of sin, death, and the devil—the ultimate spiritual idols that enslave humanity and divert true worship ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). He inaugurated a new covenant where worship is no longer tied to physical altars or specific geographical locations, but is offered "in spirit and truth" by those who truly know God ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers to dismantle the internal "altars" of self-reliance, the "images" of worldly desires, and the "groves" of false securities that compete for our ultimate allegiance. He calls His followers to a radical, internal purification, making them temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), where the only worship offered is to God alone, through Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Thus, the command to destroy idols is transformed from an external physical act into an internal spiritual reality, made possible by Christ's redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 18:4

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

Exodus 23:24

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.

Deuteronomy 16:21

Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

Deuteronomy 7:25

The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold [that is] on them, nor take [it] unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it [is] an abomination to the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 7:26

Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.

Deuteronomy 7:5

But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.

Deuteronomy 12:2

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: