Exodus 20:23
What does Exodus 20:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Exodus 20:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Exodus 20:23 means
This verse reinforces the prohibition against idolatry, specifically forbidding the Israelites from making gods of silver or gold alongside Jehovah. It reiterates the absolute necessity of exclusive worship and the rejection of all material images for divine representation. The command emphasizes that God is unique and cannot be replicated or supplemented by human-made idols, directly addressing a common practice of ancient surrounding cultures. This serves as a warning against syncretism and polytheism.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye shall not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye shall not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Gods of silver and gods of gold you are not to make for yourselves.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862ye do not make with Me gods of silver, even gods of gold ye do not make to yourselves.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye shall not make beside megods of silver, and ye shall not make to yougods of gold.
Context
Following God's affirmation that He spoke from heaven, this verse immediately reiterates the first two commandments against other gods and idolatry. This repetition underscores the foundational importance of exclusive worship, serving as a protective measure against the very temptations common in the ancient world. It sets the tone for the subsequent instructions regarding proper worship, ensuring that all future acts of worship are directed solely to the one true God, without any competitors.
v.22And Jehovah said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
v.23This passage
v.24An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 32:31
And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
- Zephaniah 1:5
and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship, that swear to Jehovah and swear by Malcam;
- 1 Corinthians 10:21
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
- Daniel 5:23
but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.
- Ezekiel 20:39
As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Go ye, serve every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me; but my holy name shall ye no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols.
- 1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
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