Exodus 23:24 kjv

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.

Exodus 23:24 nkjv

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.

Exodus 23:24 niv

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.

Exodus 23:24 esv

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.

Exodus 23:24 nlt

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.

Exodus 23 verses

Exodus 23 24 Meaning

This verse sternly warns Israel against engaging with the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite inhabitants of the land they are about to enter. It presents a twofold command: first, a prohibition against any form of participation in or adoption of pagan worship—this includes prostrating themselves before their deities, serving them in cultic rituals, or even imitating their customs and traditions. Second, it issues an uncompromising mandate for the complete and utter destruction of all physical manifestations of Canaanite worship, specifically their altars and sacred pillars. This command underscores God's demand for exclusive worship and Israel's spiritual purity as a covenanted people.

Exodus 23 24 Context

Exodus 23:24 is part of the "Book of the Covenant" (Ex 20:22-23:33), which elaborates on the Ten Commandments, providing civil, moral, and cultic laws for Israel. This particular verse falls within a section detailing promises and warnings related to the imminent conquest of Canaan. Having established the foundational laws of worship and societal conduct, God here addresses the specific challenges Israel will face upon entering the Promised Land. The preceding verses in Chapter 23 emphasize social justice and the treatment of others, but from verse 20 onwards, the focus shifts to the theological necessity of God's leading them into Canaan and His absolute requirement of exclusive worship.

Historically and culturally, Israel was preparing to enter a land already inhabited by diverse peoples—the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (Ex 23:23). These cultures were deeply immersed in polytheism, worshipping various deities such as Baal (storm god), Asherah (fertility goddess), and others often associated with agricultural prosperity or military might. Their religious practices often included ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and a deep syncretism with nature worship, using high places, altars, and standing stones (pillars) as sites and objects of veneration. The command in Exodus 23:24 stands as a direct polemic against these prevalent beliefs and practices, asserting the unique and supreme sovereignty of Yahweh over all purported gods. It demands not just avoidance of participation but active eradication of rival worship systems, emphasizing that any compromise would defile Israel's covenant relationship with the one true God and threaten their very existence in the land.

Exodus 23 24 Word analysis

• You shall not bow down: (לֹא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה - lo' tishtakhaweh). This is the Piel form of the verb "to bow down" or "to prostrate oneself," often implying an act of worship or reverence. The command signifies a complete spiritual and physical refusal to acknowledge or venerate other deities. It's a direct echo of the First Commandment, emphasizing exclusive loyalty.
• to their gods: (לֵאלֹהֵיהֶם - lelohehem). "Their gods" refers to the numerous deities worshipped by the Canaanites and other nations. The use of "their" implicitly undermines their divinity, portraying them as mere objects of human invention belonging to particular peoples, in contrast to the singular, universal God of Israel. This is a subtle but potent polemic against polytheism.
• or serve them: (וְלֹא תָעָבְדֵם - veloh ta'avedem). This word, from the root עבד ('avad), means "to work," "to serve," or "to worship." Beyond a mere gesture of bowing, this forbids any active service, obedience, or participation in the rituals and practices associated with these gods. It covers practical devotion and allegiances that would divert one from Yahweh.
• or copy their practices: (וְלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה כְּמַעֲשֵׂיהֶם - veloh ta'aseh kema'aseihem). This phrase prohibits imitation of "their doings" or "their customs." This extends the prohibition beyond direct worship to include cultural, ethical, and daily life practices influenced by paganism. It’s a warning against cultural assimilation and syncretism, recognizing that ungodly practices stem from and lead to idolatry.
• but you shall utterly overthrow them: (כִּי הָרֵס תְּהָרְסֵם - ki hares teharsem). The Hebrew uses an infinitive absolute before the finite verb, a common emphatic construction meaning "surely/utterly destroy." The verb הָרַס (haras) implies tearing down, breaking down, or demolishing completely. This signifies a mandate for decisive, total destruction of all objects and places of pagan worship, rather than merely neglecting them.
• and break their pillars in pieces: (וְשַׁבֵּר תְּשַׁבֵּר מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶם - veshabber teshabbber matzevoteihem). Again, the emphatic infinitive absolute ("surely break/shatter"). מַצֵּבֹת (matzevot) refers to standing stones or sacred pillars, often erected as cultic symbols or altars for deities like Baal. These were prominent features of Canaanite worship sites. Breaking them in pieces signifies dismantling the very foundations of their religious expression, ensuring no vestige remains that could tempt or mislead Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "You shall not bow down... or serve them... or copy their practices": This sequence reveals a progression of forbidden actions, moving from external physical worship (bowing) to active ritualistic engagement (serving) and finally to the insidious adoption of cultural and social practices rooted in idolatry (copying their ways). It is a comprehensive rejection of syncretism and assimilation, emphasizing total separation from the spiritual and cultural contaminants of Canaan.
• "but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces": This transition from negative prohibitions to active commands underscores the zealous nature of God's demand. It's not enough to simply not participate; Israel must actively eradicate the very structures and symbols of idolatry. This mandate of physical destruction symbolizes a spiritual commitment to purity and an aggressive posture against all rival claimants to divine authority, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of God's jealousy for His worship.

Exodus 23 24 Bonus section

The seemingly harsh command to "utterly overthrow" and "break in pieces" pagan worship objects holds significant theological weight beyond mere physical destruction. It teaches that evil, especially in its religious manifestation, must be dealt with decisively and without compromise. Lingering vestiges of ungodliness can become snares (Judg 2:2-3). This principle translates spiritually for believers today not into literal physical destruction, but into a relentless internal war against anything that supplants God's rightful place in one's life. As Col 3:5 states, greed can be idolatry; sinful desires can be idols. We are called to "put to death" or "destroy" these internal idols and break down the spiritual "high places" and "pillars" in our own hearts that vie for God's ultimate authority. This ongoing spiritual battle is essential for maintaining a pure and undivided heart before the Living God.

Exodus 23 24 Commentary

Exodus 23:24 establishes a non-negotiable principle: Israel's relationship with Yahweh demands absolute, exclusive allegiance, devoid of any compromise with idolatry. The threefold negative command ("not bow down," "not serve," "not copy") paints a complete picture of separation: it is a prohibition against heart devotion (worship), hands-on ritual participation (serving), and intellectual or cultural assimilation (copying practices). God understands the powerful seductive pull of syncretism and actively protects Israel from defilement.

This strict warning is followed by an equally stringent positive command to "utterly overthrow" and "break in pieces" the physical emblems of Canaanite worship. The repetitive, emphatic language highlights the gravity and necessity of this task. Idolatry, whether expressed through altars, standing stones, or images, represents a direct affront to God's holiness and an existential threat to Israel's covenant purity. This mandate ensured no lingering influence, no possibility of future compromise through the presence of these seductive objects. For ancient Israel, the physical destruction of idols was a tangible act of faith, a visible testimony to God's sole sovereignty. It reflects God's jealous character (Ex 20:5) which permits no rival for the worship and affection of His people. The verse is a powerful lesson in guarding against spiritual adultery, a call to eliminate anything that could divert loyalty from the one true God.