Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. New Living Translation You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars. English Standard Version you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in 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. Berean Literal Bible You shall not bow down to their gods, and you shall not serve them, and you shall not do according to their works; for you must utterly demolish them and thoroughly break to pieces their pillars. King James Bible 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. New King James Version You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars. New American Standard Bible You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their memorial stones in pieces. NASB 1995 “You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their sacred pillars in pieces. NASB 1977 “You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them, and break their sacred pillars in pieces. Legacy Standard Bible You shall not worship their gods, you shall not serve them, and you shall not do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly pull them down and shatter their sacred pillars in pieces. Amplified Bible You shall not bow down to worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do [anything] in accordance with their practices. You shall completely overthrow them and break down their [sacred] pillars and images [of pagan worship]. Berean Annotated 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. Christian Standard Bible Do not bow in worship to their gods, and do not serve them. Do not imitate their practices. Instead, demolish them and smash their sacred pillars to pieces. Holman Christian Standard Bible You must not bow down to their gods or worship them. Do not imitate their practices. Instead, demolish them and smash their sacred pillars 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. Contemporary English Version Don't worship their gods or follow their customs. Instead, destroy their idols and shatter their stone images. English Revised 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Never worship or serve their gods or follow their practices. Instead, you must destroy their gods and crush their sacred stones. Good News Translation Do not bow down to their gods or worship them, and do not adopt their religious practices. Destroy their gods and break down their sacred stone pillars. International Standard Version You are not to bow down to their gods or serve them. You are not to follow their practices, but you are to overthrow them completely and smash their sacred stones to pieces. NET Bible "You must not bow down to their gods; you must not serve them or do according to their practices. Instead you must completely overthrow them and smash their standing stones to pieces. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou 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. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionYou do not bow yourself to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their doings, but utterly devote them, and thoroughly break their standing pillars. Berean Literal Bible You shall not bow down to their gods, and you shall not serve them, and you shall not do according to their works; for you must utterly demolish them and thoroughly break to pieces their pillars. 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. Smith's Literal Translation Thou shalt not worship to their gods, and thou shalt not serve them, and thou shalt not do according to their works: for destroying, thou shalt destroy them, and breaking, thou shalt break in pieces their pillars. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou shalt not adore their gods, nor serve them. Thou shalt not do their works, but shalt destroy them, and break their statues. Catholic Public Domain Version You shall not adore their gods, nor worship them. You shall not do their works, but you shall destroy them and break apart their statues. New American Bible Therefore, you shall not bow down to their gods and serve them, nor shall you act as they do; rather, you must demolish them and smash their sacred stones. New Revised Standard Version you shall not bow down to their gods, or worship them, or follow their practices, but you shall utterly demolish them and break their pillars in pieces. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleYou shall not worship their gods nor serve them nor do after their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break down their statues. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated You shall not worship their gods and you shall not serve them, neither shall you do according to their works, but certainly cast them down and certainly break their monuments. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their doings; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and break in pieces their pillars. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not worship their gods, nor serve them: thou shalt not do according to their works, but shalt utterly destroy them, and break to pieces their pillars. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Angel to Lead…23For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them. 24You 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. 25So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you.… Cross References You must not bow down to their gods Exodus 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, Deuteronomy 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 2 Kings 17:35 For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. or serve them Joshua 23:7 So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them. Deuteronomy 7:16 You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Deuteronomy 11:16 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods, or follow their practices. Leviticus 20:23 You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. Deuteronomy 12:30-31 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” / You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. Deuteronomy 18:9 When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Instead, you are to demolish them Exodus 34:13 Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. Deuteronomy 12:3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. 2 Chronicles 34:4 Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. and smash their sacred stones to pieces. 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. Deuteronomy 7:5 Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. 2 Kings 23:14 He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones. Judges 2:2 and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? Treasury of Scripture You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but you shall utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. shalt not Exodus 20:5 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; do after Leviticus 18:3,26-30 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances… Deuteronomy 12:30,31 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise… 2 Chronicles 33:2,9 But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel… overthrow Exodus 32:20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. Exodus 34:13,14 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: … Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: Jump to Previous Bow Break Broken Completely Deeds Demolish Destroy Devote Doings Faces Follow Gods Images Overcome Overthrow Pieces Pillars Practices Quite Sacred Serve Shatter Statues Stones Thoroughly Thyself Utterly Works WorshipJump to Next Bow Break Broken Completely Deeds Demolish Destroy Devote Doings Faces Follow Gods Images Overcome Overthrow Pieces Pillars Practices Quite Sacred Serve Shatter Statues Stones Thoroughly Thyself Utterly Works WorshipExodus 23 1. Of slander, false witness, and partiality4. Of charitableness 6. Of justice in judgment 8. Of taking bribes 9. Of oppressing a stranger 10. Of the year of rest 12. Of the Sabbath 13. Of idolatry 14. Of the three feasts 18. Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice 20. An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him You must not bow down to their gods This command emphasizes the exclusivity of worship that God demands from His people. In the ancient Near East, polytheism was prevalent, and the Israelites were surrounded by nations worshiping multiple deities. Bowing down signifies submission and reverence, which God reserves for Himself alone (Exodus 20:3-5). This prohibition is a call to maintain spiritual purity and allegiance to Yahweh, rejecting the idolatry that could lead them astray. or serve them or follow their practices Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in the Promised Land. 2. Canaanite Nations The inhabitants of the land that the Israelites are entering, who worship false gods and engage in idolatrous practices. 3. God (Yahweh) The one true God who commands the Israelites to remain faithful to Him and reject the idolatry of the surrounding nations. 4. Promised Land The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 5. Idolatry The worship of false gods, which is strictly forbidden by God and is a central issue in this passage. Teaching Points Exclusive WorshipGod demands exclusive worship and loyalty. Just as the Israelites were to reject the gods of the Canaanites, Christians today must reject anything that competes with their devotion to God. Spiritual Warfare The command to demolish and smash sacred stones symbolizes the spiritual warfare believers engage in against sin and idolatry in their lives. Holiness and Separation Believers are called to be holy and separate from the world, not conforming to its practices but living according to God's standards. Vigilance Against Idolatry Idolatry can take many forms, including materialism, power, and self-worship. Christians must be vigilant in identifying and removing these idols from their lives. Obedience to God's Commands The Israelites' success in the Promised Land depended on their obedience to God's commands. Similarly, Christians are called to obey God's Word to experience His blessings. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 23:24?2. How can we "demolish their sacred stones" in our modern-day context? 3. What does Exodus 23:24 teach about avoiding cultural influences contrary to God's commands? 4. How does Exodus 23:24 relate to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. In what ways can we "break down their pillars" in our spiritual lives? 6. How can we ensure our worship aligns with God's instructions in Exodus 23:24? 7. What does Exodus 23:24 reveal about God's view on idolatry and other religions? 8. How does Exodus 23:24 challenge the practice of religious tolerance? 9. Why does Exodus 23:24 emphasize destroying pagan altars and idols? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23? 11. What are Firstfruits to God? 12. Why didn't Israelites eat their livestock in the wilderness? 13. What defines unbiblical worship practices? 14. Joshua 24:14-15 - How does this pledge to exclusively serve the Lord reconcile with the later biblical narratives showing continued idolatry in Israel? What Does Exodus 23:24 Mean You must not bow down to their godsThe Lord had just rescued Israel from Egypt’s idolatry; now He issues a clear command: no physical or heart–level submission to any rival deity. - This echoes the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3-5). - Joshua later repeats it: “Do not bow down to their gods” (Joshua 23:7). - The warning is as relevant today: anything we kneel to—career, possessions, popularity—becomes a counterfeit god. God alone is worthy of worship (Revelation 22:9). or serve them “Serve” moves from posture to lifestyle. God forbids giving time, energy, or resources to idols. - Samuel calls Israel to “serve the LORD with all your heart and worship Him alone” (1 Samuel 7:3-4). - Jesus affirms the same exclusive service: “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). - Genuine service is whole-life devotion—jobs, relationships, and schedules offered to Him (Romans 12:1). or follow their practices The Lord bans adopting pagan customs, knowing imitation breeds assimilation. - “Do not do what is done in the land of Egypt…nor in Canaan” (Leviticus 18:3, 24-30). - Paul says, “Do not conform to this world” (Romans 12:2). - Practical takeaways: - Evaluate entertainment, holidays, and habits—do they mirror culture or Christ? - Teach children God’s ways early (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Instead, you are to demolish them God’s people were to tear down physical idols, removing temptation at the root. - “Tear down their altars” (Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5). - Hezekiah later “removed the high places” (2 Kings 18:4). - Modern application: decisively eliminate sin’s footholds—destroy porn stash, delete toxic apps, break off immoral relationships (Colossians 3:5). and smash their sacred stones to pieces Sacred stones, or standing pillars, symbolized Canaanite worship. Shattering them declared the emptiness of those gods. - Israel was told to “burn their Asherah poles” (Deuteronomy 12:3; 2 Chronicles 31:1). - Paul’s converts in Ephesus burned occult books worth 50,000 drachmas (Acts 19:19). - Total eradication prevents relapse and magnifies the supremacy of the living God (Psalm 115:4-8). summary Exodus 23:24 commands exclusive allegiance to the Lord, forbids any compromise with idolatry, and insists on active, decisive removal of every rival. Worship God alone, serve Him wholeheartedly, avoid cultural practices that dilute faith, and destroy whatever competes for the throne of your heart—because He alone is worthy and His commands lead to true freedom. (24) Nor do after their works.--The Canaanitish nations were not merely idolaters, they were corrupt, profligate, and depraved. All the abominations mentioned in Leviticus 18:6-23 were practised widely among them before they were dispossessed of their territory (Leviticus 18:24-30). No doubt the idolatry and the profligacy were closely connected, as among idolatrous nations generally; but it was for their profligacy rather than their idolatry that they were driven out. Thus it was necessary to warn Israel against both.Thou shalt . . . quite break down their images.--Conquerors generally preserved the idols of the conquered nations as trophies of victory; to do so was forbidden to the Israelites. Idolatry had such a powerful and subtle attraction for them, that there was danger of their being seduced into it unless the entire apparatus of the idol-worship were destroyed and made away with. Hence the present injunctions, and others similar to them. (Comp. Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5; &c.) Verse 24. - Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works. It is always to be borne in mind that with the idolatries of the heathen were connected "works of darkness," which it is shameful even to speak cf. The rites of Baal and Ashtoreth, of Chemosh, Molech, Rimmon, and the other Canaanite and Syrian deities were at once defiled by the abomination of human sacrifices, and polluted with the still more debasing evil of religious impurity. "The sacrifice offered to Ash-toreth," says Dr. Dollinger, "consisted in the prostitution of women: the women submitted themselves to the visitors of the feast, in the temple of the goddess or the adjoining precinct. A legend told of Astarte (Ashtoreth) having prostituted herself in Tyre for ten years: and in many places matrons, as well as maidens, consecrated themselves for a length of time, or on the festivals of the goddess, with a view of propitiating her, or earning her favour as hieroduli of unchastity... In this way they went so far at last as to contemplate the abominations of unnatural lust as a homage rendered to the deity, and to exalt it into a regular cultus. The worship of the goddess at Aphaca in Lebanon was specially notorious in this respect. The temple in a solitary situation was, as Eusebius tells us, a place of evil-doing for such as chose to ruin their bodies in scandalous ways... Criminal intercourse with women, impurity, shameful and degrading deeds, were practised in the temple, where there was no custom and no law, and no honourable or decent human being could be found." (Jew and Gentile, vol. 1. pp. 428, 429; Darnell's translation.) Thou shalt utterly overthrow them. The heathen gods are identified with their images. These were to be torn from their bases, overthrown, and rolled in the dust for greater contempt and ignominy. They were then to be broken up and burnt, till the gold and the silver with which they were overlaid was calcined and could be stamped to powder. Nothing was to be spared that had been degraded by idolatry, either for its beauty or its elaborate workmanship, or its value. All was hateful to God, and was to be destroyed.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You must notלֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no bow down תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤ה (ṯiš·ta·ḥă·weh) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate to their gods לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙ (lê·lō·hê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative or serve them תָֽעָבְדֵ֔ם (ṯā·‘ā·ḇə·ḏêm) Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave or וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no follow תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה (ṯa·‘ă·śeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make their practices. כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם (kə·ma·‘ă·śê·hem) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property Instead, כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you are to demolish them הָרֵס֙ (hā·rês) Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy and smash their sacred stones מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯê·hem) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4676: Something stationed, a column, an idol to pieces. וְשַׁבֵּ֥ר (wə·šab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces Links Exodus 23:24 NIVExodus 23:24 NLT Exodus 23:24 ESV Exodus 23:24 NASB Exodus 23:24 KJV Exodus 23:24 BibleApps.com Exodus 23:24 Biblia Paralela Exodus 23:24 Chinese Bible Exodus 23:24 French Bible Exodus 23:24 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 23:24 You shall not bow down to their (Exo. Ex) |
    |