King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:15 Mean?

Exodus 34:15 in the King James Version says “Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unt...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;”

Exodus 34:15 · KJV

Context

13

But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: images: Heb. statues

14

For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

15

Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

16

And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

17

Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

Read Exodus 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God reiterates the warning against covenants with Canaanites, explaining the mechanism of apostasy: social covenant leads to worship participation, which leads to sexual/spiritual prostitution (זָנָה, zanah—the term for both literal and spiritual harlotry). The phrase 'gods of the land' emphasizes the territorial nature of ancient paganism. Eating sacrificial meals created covenant bonds with the deity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pagan worship often involved communal meals where participants ate food sacrificed to idols, creating covenant fellowship with the deity and its worshipers (see Paul's discussion in 1 Cor 8-10).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do social relationships and cultural participation create spiritual temptations today?
  2. What boundaries do you need to maintain to preserve spiritual fidelity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
פֶּן1 of 14
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תִּכְרֹ֥ת2 of 14

“Lest thou make”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

בְּרִ֖ית3 of 14

“a covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב4 of 14

“with the inhabitants”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

הָאָ֑רֶץ5 of 14

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְזָנ֣וּ׀6 of 14

“and they go a whoring”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י7 of 14

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם8 of 14

“their gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְזָֽבְחוּ֙9 of 14

“and do sacrifice”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם10 of 14

“their gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְקָרָ֣א11 of 14

“and one call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְךָ֔12 of 14
H0
וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖13 of 14

“thee and thou eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִזִּבְחֽוֹ׃14 of 14

“of his sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 34:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 34:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 2:17Numbers 25:2Deuteronomy 31:16Psalms 106:281 Corinthians 8:41 Corinthians 10:27

Test Your Knowledge

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