King James Version
Exodus 34:16 in the King James Version says “And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go ...” — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Exodus 34:16 · KJV
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
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;
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.
Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“and their daughters”
H1323a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
“thy sons”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“and make”
H2181to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
“and their daughters”
H1323a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
“after”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
“their gods”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“and make”
H2181to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“thy sons”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“after”
H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
“their gods”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
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.
Exodus 34:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Exodus 34:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge