“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about avoiding idolatry in practice; it's a command to actively erase the very memory of other gods from your speech. It calls for a total boycott of their names, not just to prevent worship, but to ensure their presence doesn't even linger as a casual topic on your lips.
“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger set of laws and instructions given to the Israelites, following the Ten Commandments. It's situated within laws concerning justice, the land's rest, and religious festivals, aiming to shape Israel into a people set apart for God. The command not to mention other gods' names directly follows instructions about avoiding false testimony and respecting their enemies' property, emphasizing a complete break from surrounding idolatrous practices.
Ever feel like you've accidentally stumbled into something you shouldn't have? God's word here calls for more than just avoiding outright sin; it demands careful attention to our daily habits and words.
The command to 'be circumspect' means to be watchful, attentive, and careful. It's not just about big, dramatic decisions, but about the small, everyday choices that shape our hearts. Think of it like walking on a path with hidden ditches on either side – you need to be constantly aware of where you're stepping. In this context, the specific danger highlighted is the subtle creep of idolatry. Even mentioning the names of other gods, without intending to worship them, can desensitize us and erode our devotion to the One True God. It's a reminder that what seems harmless can gradually lead us astray.
God's command here is striking: don't even mention the names of other gods. Why such a strict prohibition on words?
This isn't just about avoiding blasphemy; it's about actively protecting the sanctity of God's name and His unique place in our lives. When we speak the names of other gods, even casually, we risk normalizing them, lessening our awe for the true God, and even transferring His honor. Historically, swearing by other gods was a direct violation of the Third Commandment, as it attributed divine power and judgment to false deities. But the command goes deeper: it calls for a complete excision of their names from our vocabulary unless it's for the express purpose of warning against them. Our words have power, and by controlling our speech, God is shaping our thoughts and allegiances, ensuring that His name alone is held in highest reverence.
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Understand the original words
elohim acherim · Hebrew Noun phrase
Deities worshipped by surrounding nations, which God strictly forbids Israel from acknowledging or invoking, as He alone is the living and true God who demands exclusive worship.
This passage echoes the command to honor only the Lord by stating, 'You shall fear only the Lord your God and worship him and swear by his name,' directly reinforcing the exclusivity of devotion required in Exodus.
Joshua 23:7Joshua reiterates this principle to the Israelites, warning them not to associate with nations who still worship their gods, stating, 'You must not frequent any of the nations that remain with you; neither make mention of the names of their gods, nor swear by them, nor serve them, nor bow down to them,' highlighting the ongoing need for separation from idolatry.
Psalm 16:4This psalm reflects the consequence of honoring other gods, where the psalmist declares, 'The sorrows of those who give gifts to another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips,' showing a strong aversion to even mentioning their names or practices.
Hosea 2:17Hosea prophesies a time when Israel will no longer speak the names of Baal, illustrating the ultimate fulfillment of this command: 'And in that day you shall call me ‘Ishvi’ and no longer ‘Baali’,' signifying a complete turning away from false gods.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching that 'No one can serve two masters' parallels the exclusivity demanded in Exodus, implying that allegiance to any other divine name inherently detracts from devotion to the one true God.
bensonExodus 23:13: "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."
Exodus 23:13 . In all things be circumspect — We are in danger of missing our way on the right hand and on the left, and it is at our peril if we do, therefore we have need to look about us. A man may ruin himself through mere carelessness, but he cannot save himself without great care and circumspection. Particularly since idolatry…
calvinExodus 23:13: "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."
- Make no mention of the name of other gods. There is no sort of doubt but that this declaration should be connected with the Third Commandment. Moses explains that God's name is taken in vain and abused, if men swear by other gods; for it is not lawful to refer the judgment of things unknown to any other than the one true God. Co…
This verse isn't just about avoiding idolatry in practice; it's a command to actively erase the very memory of other gods from your speech. It calls for a total boycott of their names, not just to prevent worship, but to ensure their presence doesn't even linger as a casual topic on your lips.
This verse is part of a larger set of laws and instructions given to the Israelites, following the Ten Commandments. It's situated within laws concerning justice, the land's rest, and religious festivals, aiming to shape Israel into a people set apart for God. The command not to mention other gods' names directly follows instructions about avoiding false testimony and respecting their enemies' property, emphasizing a complete break from surrounding idolatrous practices.
This verse is part of a larger set of laws and instructions given to the Israelites, following the Ten Commandments. It's situated within laws concerning justice, the land's rest, and religious festivals, aiming to shape Israel into a people set apart for God. The command not to mention other gods' names directly follows instructions about avoiding false testimony and respecting their enemies' property, emphasizing a complete break from surrounding idolatrous practices.
"“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips." — This verse isn't just about avoiding idolatry in practice; it's a command to actively erase the very memory of other gods from your speech. It calls for a total boycott of their names, not just to pr…
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Last reviewed October 2026