Exodus 34:14

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:

For thou shalt worship {H7812} no other {H312} god {H410}: for the LORD {H3068}, whose name {H8034} is Jealous {H7067}, is a jealous {H7067} God {H410}:

because you are not to bow down to any other god; since ADONAI -whose very name is Jealous -is a jealous God.

For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

(for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God);

Commentary

Exodus 34:14 is a profound declaration of God's unique nature and His demand for exclusive devotion from His people. This verse reinforces the foundational principle of monotheism within the Mosaic Covenant, articulating why Israel must worship only the Lord.

Context

This verse appears during a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the renewal of the covenant at Mount Sinai after the devastating incident of the golden calf. Moses has ascended the mountain for the second time to receive a new set of stone tablets, replacing those he broke in righteous anger. The preceding verses in Exodus 34 detail God's gracious self-revelation and the stipulations of the renewed covenant. Verse 14 serves as a strong reminder of the absolute necessity of loyalty to the one true God, setting the stage for subsequent commands regarding alliances and worship practices with surrounding pagan nations.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Worship and Monotheism: The most prominent theme is the absolute prohibition against worshipping any other deity. This is a direct echo of the First Commandment ("Thou shalt have no other gods before me"). God demands sole allegiance from His people, making it clear that there is no room for syncretism or divided loyalties.
  • God's Divine Jealousy (Qanna): The verse explicitly states that God's "name is Jealous" and He "is a jealous God." This divine jealousy is not a human flaw like envy, but a holy and righteous zeal for His own honor, glory, and the exclusive devotion of His covenant people. It signifies His passionate commitment to the relationship and His intolerance of any rivals for the affection and worship due to Him. It's a protective love, ensuring the well-being of those He loves by guarding them from the destructive path of idolatry. As Deuteronomy 4:24 proclaims, "For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."
  • Covenant Fidelity: The verse underscores the importance of faithfulness to the covenant. God's jealousy acts as a safeguard for the covenant, ensuring that Israel remains true to their vows and does not stray into the idolatrous practices of the surrounding cultures, which would inevitably lead to their destruction.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "Jealous" is qanna (ืงึทื ึผึธื). This term conveys a powerful, fervent zeal or passion. When applied to God, it highlights His intense dedication to His unique status and His unwillingness to share His glory or the worship of His people with any other entity. It's an active, protective attribute, demonstrating His commitment to the purity and integrity of the relationship with His chosen nation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 34:14 remains profoundly relevant. While overt idol worship may be less common in many modern societies, the principle of God's exclusive claim on our hearts endures. Modern "gods" can take many forms: materialism, career, relationships, self-indulgence, technology, or anything that consumes our ultimate loyalty, time, and affection that rightfully belongs to God. This verse calls us to:

  • Examine Our Allegiances: What truly holds the highest place in our lives? Where do we seek our ultimate satisfaction, security, and identity?
  • Cultivate Wholehearted Devotion: God desires our full, undivided worship and attention, not merely a portion. His jealousy is a testament to His deep love and desire for our ultimate good, protecting us from anything that would diminish our relationship with Him.
  • Flee Idolatry in All Forms: We are called to keep ourselves from idols (1 John 5:21), recognizing that anything we elevate above God becomes a rival.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:24 (15 votes)

    For the LORD thy God [is] a consuming fire, [even] a jealous God.

  • Deuteronomy 32:21 (10 votes)

    They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:22 (9 votes)

    Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

  • Matthew 4:10 (8 votes)

    Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

  • Exodus 20:3 (8 votes)

    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

  • Exodus 20:5 (8 votes)

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • Nahum 1:2 (8 votes)

    ยถ God [is] jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and [is] furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.