Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.

EXODUS 23:32KJV
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Exodus 23:32 (KJV)

What does Exodus 23:32 mean?

Exodus 23:32 commands the Israelites not to make any agreements or treaties with the people living in the land of Canaan or with their gods. This verse is a direct instruction to avoid forming alliances that could lead to worshiping other deities or adopting foreign religious practices.

In this verse, God is speaking through Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The context is a series of laws and instructions meant to keep the Israelites distinct from the nations around them. The verse stresses the importance of remaining loyal to God alone and not being influenced by the religious customs of the Canaanites.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 23:32

  • "make" (כָּרַת, karat): This word often means "to cut," and in the context of agreements, it refers to "cutting" a covenant, which was a formal and binding agreement. The imagery comes from ancient practices where making a covenant involved a ritual act, sometimes with sacrifices.
  • "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit): This word means a formal agreement or treaty. In the ancient world, covenants were serious commitments that shaped relationships between groups or individuals.
  • "gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim): This term can mean "gods" in a general sense and refers here to the deities worshiped by the people of Canaan. The instruction is not just about political alliances, but also about religious loyalty.

Why Exodus 23:32 matters

  • Exodus 23:32 clarifies that the concern is both political and spiritual—alliances with other nations could easily lead to adopting their religious practices, which the rest of the chapter warns against.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of covenants in the ancient world; making a covenant was not just a casual agreement but a binding act that could shape the future of the nation.
  • This instruction connects to the broader theme of Exodus and the Torah: the call for the Israelites to be set apart and faithful to their God, resisting the influence of surrounding cultures and religions.