Exodus 34:14

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 34:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Exodus 34:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For thou shall worship no other god, etc.] Than the Lord their God, the one only living and true God, which was the first command given to the people of Israel, and binding upon all men: for the Lord whose name is Jealous, [is] a jealous God; his name and nature answer to one another; he admits of no rival or competitor in worship; he will not give his glory to another god, or one so called, nor his praise to graven images; and in this he is distinguished from all nominal and fictitious gods, who have many joined with them, and are rivals of them, which gives them no concern, because insensible; but it is otherwise with the Lord, who knows the dishonour done him, and resents it, and is as…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The precepts contained in these verses are, for the most part, identical in substance with some of those which follow the Ten Commandments and are recorded in “the Book of the covenant” (Exo. 20–23; see Exodus 24:7). Exodus 34:13 Cut down their groves - This is the first reference to what is commonly known as grove-worship. The original word for “grove” in this connection אשׁרה 'ăshêrāh is different from that so rendered in Genesis 21:33. Our translators supposed that what the law commands is the destruction of groves dedicated to the worship of false deities Judges 6:25; 2 Kings 18:4; but inasmuch as the worship of asherah is found associated with that of Astarte, or Ashtoreth Judges…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“worship: Exo 20:3-5; Deu 5:7; Mat 4:10 whose: Exo 34:5-7, Exo 33:19; Isa 9:6, Isa 57:15 jealous God: Exo 20:5; Deu 5:24, Deu 6:15, Deu 29:20, Deu 32:16, Deu 32:21; Jos 24:19; Nah 1:2; Co1 10:22 Exodus 34:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification