King James Version

What Does Exodus 34:24 Mean?

Exodus 34:24 in the King James Version says “For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou s... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

Exodus 34:24 · KJV


Context

22

And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end. year's end: Heb. revolution of the year

23

Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.

24

For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

25

Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.

26

The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Two seemingly unrelated commands: (1) No leaven with blood sacrifices—leaven (fermentation/corruption) must not mix with atoning blood, symbolizing the purity required in approaching God; (2) Passover sacrifice must not remain until morning—it must be fully consumed, preventing decay and emphasizing complete participation in redemption. Both commands stress the holiness and immediacy of covenant worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

These regulations governed Passover observance. The prohibition on leaving meat until morning prevented putrefaction in the hot climate and distinguished Israelite worship from pagan practices involving multi-day festivals.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these details about sacrifice demonstrate God's concern for purity in worship?
  2. What does the requirement to fully consume the Passover sacrifice teach about complete commitment to redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּֽי1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אוֹרִ֤ישׁ2 of 21

For I will cast out

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

גּוֹיִם֙3 of 21

the nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

פְּנֵי֙4 of 21

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וְהִרְחַבְתִּ֖י5 of 21

thee and enlarge

H7337

to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)

אֶת6 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גְּבֻלֶ֑ךָ7 of 21

thy borders

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

וְלֹֽא8 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַחְמֹ֥ד9 of 21

desire

H2530

to delight in

אִישׁ֙10 of 21

neither shall any man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶֽת11 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַרְצְךָ֔12 of 21

thy land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בַּעֲלֹֽתְךָ֗13 of 21

when thou shalt go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לֵֽרָאוֹת֙14 of 21

to appear

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת15 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵי֙16 of 21

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה17 of 21

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ18 of 21

thy God

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

שָׁלֹ֥שׁ19 of 21
H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

פְּעָמִ֖ים20 of 21

thrice

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

בַּשָּׁנָֽה׃21 of 21

in the year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)


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 34:24 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 34:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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