He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

EXODUS 22:20KJV
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Exodus 22:20 (KJV)

What does Exodus 22:20 mean?

Exodus 22:20 states that anyone who offers a sacrifice to any god other than the LORD (the God of Israel) must be completely destroyed. This verse sets a strict boundary against worshipping other gods and shows the seriousness of loyalty to the LORD alone.

In this part of Exodus, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses after their escape from Egypt. The command is meant for the whole community, warning them not to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. The verse emphasizes that worship and sacrifice are to be directed only to the LORD, highlighting the exclusive relationship between God and Israel.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 22:20

  • "sacrificeth" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to offer a sacrifice, usually an animal, as part of worship. The focus is on the act of religious offering, not just belief or prayer.
  • "god" (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim): This word can mean gods in general or sometimes powerful beings, but here it refers to any deity other than the LORD.
  • "save" (בִּלְתִּי, biltî): This word means "except" or "apart from," making it clear that the only exception to the rule is the LORD.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of the God of Israel, distinguishing Him from all other gods.
  • "destroyed" (חָרַם, ḥāram): This word means to devote to destruction, often in the sense of complete removal or being set apart for destruction. It carries a sense of total and irreversible judgment.

Why Exodus 22:20 matters

  • Exodus 22:20 clears up any idea that worshipping other gods alongside the LORD was ever permitted for Israel; the command is absolute and allows no exceptions.
  • The verse shows how central loyalty to the LORD was meant to be in Israel’s life, tying worship directly to the covenant relationship.
  • This command fits into a larger section of Exodus where God is shaping a distinct identity for Israel, setting them apart from the nations around them in both worship and daily life.

Where else these words appear

“save” Hebrew H1115 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
  • Numbers 14:16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
  • Job 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

“destroyed” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Leviticus 21:18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous,
  • Joshua 10:28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

“sacrificeth” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.