Exodus 34:15-17

15 otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and 1sacrifice to their gods, and someone 2might invite you to eat of his sacrifice,
16 and 3you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.
17 "4You shall make for yourself no molten gods.

Exodus 34:15-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 34

In this chapter Moses has orders to hew two tables of stone, that God might write on them the ten commands, and bring them up with him to the mount, Ex 34:1-4 where the Lord proclaimed his name, and caused his glory and his goodness to pass before him, Ex 34:5-7 when Moses took this favourable opportunity that offered to pray for the people, that God would forgive their sin, and go along with them, Ex 34:8,9 upon which he made a covenant with them, which on his part was to do wonders for them, and drive out the inhabitants of Canaan before them; and on their part, that they should have no confederacy and communion with these nations, and shun their idolatry, and everything that might lead unto it, Ex 34:10-17 and he repeated several laws before given, and urged the observance of them, which Moses was to acquaint the people with, Ex 34:18-27 and after a stay of forty days and forty nights on the mount, he came down with the two tables of the law; and the skin of his face shone so bright, that the people of Israel were afraid to come nigh him, and therefore he put a vail over his face while he conversed with them, Ex 34:28-35.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Exodus 22:20; Exodus 32:8
  • 2. Numbers 25:1, 2; Deuteronomy 32:37, 38
  • 3. Deuteronomy 7:3; Joshua 23:12, 13; 1 Kings 11:1-4
  • 4. Exodus 20:4, 23; Leviticus 19:4; Deuteronomy 5:8

Footnotes 1

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.