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Exodus 23:24

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 23:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Exodus 23:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Take ye heed before him, and hearken unto his voice; provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgression: for my name is in him.
22But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
23For mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: and I will cut them off.
24Thou 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.
25And ye shall serve Jehovah your God, and he will bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
26There shall none cast her young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
27I will send my terror before thee, and will discomfit all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
← Exodus 23:23Exodus 23:25 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, etc.] In a way of honour to them, doing them reverence, expressing thereby an high esteem of them, trust in them, and expectation of good things from them; nor serve them: in any kind of service in which they usually are served by their votaries; as by offering sacrifice, incense, libations, etc. or by praying to them or praising of them, or in whatsoever way they are served by idolaters: nor do after their works; the works of the worshippers of idols; all those wicked works in general done by them, which should not be imitated; and those particularly relating to the service and worship of their deities: but thou shalt overthrow them; the heathen gods;…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:24 In Canaanite worship, sacred pillars were erected to represent the deities. Sometimes they would have a human likeness carved on them.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shalt not: Exo 20:5 do after: Lev 18:3, Lev 18:26-30; Deu 12:30, Deu 12:31; Ch2 33:2, Ch2 33:9; Psa 101:3, Psa 106:35-38; Eze 16:47 overthrow: Exo 32:20, Exo 34:13, Exo 34:14; Num 33:52; Deu 7:5, Deu 7:25, Deu 7:26, Deu 12:3; Ch2 34:3-7 Exodus 23:25”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification