Exodus 23:22 kjv

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.

Exodus 23:22 nkjv

But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Exodus 23:22 niv

If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.

Exodus 23:22 esv

"But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Exodus 23:22 nlt

But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 22 Meaning

This verse states a core principle of God's covenant with Israel: divine protection and intervention against their adversaries are directly contingent upon their complete and diligent obedience to His commands. If Israel truly hearkens to God's voice and executes all His spoken words, then Yahweh Himself pledges to become the personal enemy of their enemies and the adversary of their oppressors, ensuring their safety and triumph.

Exodus 23 22 Context

Exodus 23:22 is embedded within the "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 20:18-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments given at Mount Sinai. Following the foundational laws, God provides specific statutes and judgments governing Israel's life as a holy nation, including moral, social, and ceremonial laws. Verses 20-33 of chapter 23 conclude this section with promises of divine guidance, protection, and provision for obedience, alongside warnings of judgment for disobedience. This particular verse directly follows the promise of God sending an angel (often understood as the Angel of the Lord, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, or a special divine messenger) to lead and guard Israel (Exo 23:20-21). It serves as a crucial condition attached to these promises, highlighting that God's presence and intervention are not unconditional but are activated by Israel's faithful adherence to the covenant terms. Historically, this promise would have assured a nomadic people entering a hostile land of their divine Warrior-God's active support against entrenched nations and their false deities.

Exodus 23 22 Word analysis

• But if you carefully obey: The Hebrew phrase is שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע (shamoa tishma), an infinitive absolute followed by a finite verb. This construction signifies an emphatic and diligent obedience—not merely hearing, but listening attentively and acting diligently upon what is heard. It implies active, repeated, and wholehearted submission to God's will. It means "surely hear" or "hearing, you will hear."
• His voice: Refers to the voice of the Angel mentioned in the preceding verses (Exo 23:20-21), but fundamentally points to the divine authority speaking through that Angel. It emphasizes attentive listening to divine revelation and commands.
• and do all that I speak: Hebrew: וְעָשִׂיתָ אֵת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר אֲדַבֵּר (v'asita et kol asher adaber). This complements "obey His voice" by emphasizing the practical application of obedience. It's not enough to hear; one must actively "do" or "perform" all that God speaks, indicating comprehensive and unreserved compliance with the full scope of God's commands. The "I" here is Yahweh Himself, underscoring the divine origin of the commands.
• then I will be an enemy: Hebrew: וְאֹיֵב (v'oyev), literally "and an enemy." The "I" here explicitly refers to God (Yahweh). This signifies God's personal and active opposition against those who oppose His obedient people. It is a divine, rather than human, pledge to engage directly in warfare on behalf of Israel. This contrasts sharply with reliance on human military might.
• to your enemies: Refers to Israel's direct adversaries who seek to harm or conquer them, both physical and potentially spiritual.
• and an adversary: Hebrew: וְצָרְךָ (v'tsarcha), meaning "and your oppressor" or "distresser." This word often describes someone who brings trouble, affliction, or siege. God promises to treat those who oppress Israel as His own personal oppressors. This intensifies the promise of divine protection and judgment against those who persecute God's chosen.
• to your adversaries: Synonymous with enemies, reinforcing the idea of divine engagement against all who stand against Israel's peace and well-being.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But if you carefully obey His voice and do all that I speak": This phrase highlights the two-fold nature of true obedience: inward attentive hearing (hearkening) and outward diligent action. The emphatic "carefully obey" stresses the importance of deliberate, continuous, and comprehensive submission to God's detailed instructions, demonstrating the conditionality of the covenant blessings. This implies a relationship based on responsive loyalty.
• "then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries": This establishes a direct divine guarantee of protection. God does not just send help; He personally aligns Himself against Israel's foes, becoming their "enemy" and "adversary." This ensures a victory that transcends human capabilities, reflecting His omnipotence and faithfulness to His covenant when Israel is faithful to Him. It's a statement of divine advocacy and holy warfare.

Exodus 23 22 Bonus section

This verse can be seen as an early foreshadowing of the principle echoed throughout Scripture, where blessings and judgment are tied to a nation's or individual's relationship with God. The immediate context, specifically verses 20-21, introduce an "Angel" (מַלְאָךְ - mal'akh) whom God sends before Israel, stating that God's "name" (כְּשְׁמִי - ke’sh’mi, often a representation of God’s essence or authority) is in this Angel. This has led many to consider this "Angel of the Lord" as a divine manifestation, potentially a Christophany, who speaks with God's authority ("His voice" in 23:22 referring to this Angel, yet also God's voice, highlighting the Angel's divine nature) and against whom sin is grievous (23:21). Thus, obedience to this specific Angel and the broader divine word spoken through Him directly translates to God's protective fury against their adversaries. This establishes not just a generic obedience but highlights the critical importance of heeding God's designated messenger and word.

Exodus 23 22 Commentary

Exodus 23:22 forms a pivotal statement within the Book of the Covenant, delineating the absolute necessity of human responsibility in response to divine grace. God’s promise of protection, seen in the dispatch of an angel and His own direct engagement as a warrior against Israel's enemies, is entirely predicated upon Israel's “careful” and complete obedience. This is not mere passive hearing but an active, diligent adherence to all His commands, recognizing His voice and executing His instructions. This establishes a foundational truth for the entire Old Testament: God’s blessings and active intervention are bound to the fidelity of His people. He pledges to contend directly with Israel's foes, relieving His people of the full burden of warfare, but their participation in the covenant is indispensable. It underscores the concept of a "Warrior God" who defends His chosen, while also reinforcing the principle that divine favor is not capricious but is intrinsically linked to moral and spiritual faithfulness. This verse, therefore, sets a profound standard for the nation's spiritual life and military endeavors, emphasizing God as their supreme deliverer against both external threats and internal unfaithfulness.