Exodus 23:32-33
You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The command "no covenant with them, nor with their gods" wasn't just about avoiding alliances; it was about rejecting any form of shared allegiance, because ancient treaties often explicitly honored the gods of both parties. Thus, making a covenant with the people was making a covenant with their gods, and God demanded exclusive worship.
This verse concludes a section detailing God's instructions for Israel as they prepare to enter Canaan, emphasizing the need to utterly destroy the Canaanites and their religious practices. The passage immediately preceding this warns against making any treaties or alliances with these people, as their idolatry would surely become a snare to Israel, leading them to worship false gods. This final command reinforces the absolute separation required to maintain their unique covenant relationship with the one true God.
Think a 'covenant' is just a signed contract? In ancient times, making a covenant meant much more than a legal agreement. It was a deep, binding relationship, often sealed with religious vows.
Beyond a handshake
The command in Exodus 23:32, 'You shall make no covenant with them,' wasn't just about avoiding a diplomatic treaty. In the ancient Near East, a covenant between nations typically involved acknowledging each other's gods. This meant that making a civil or peace treaty with the Canaanites would inherently involve making a religious agreement with their gods.
This wasn't just a symbolic gesture. It meant a commitment that could include vows, shared religious practices, or at least an acknowledgment that their gods had power. For Israel, a people called to be holy and set apart for the one true God, such an agreement was unthinkable. It would be a step towards compromising their exclusive devotion to Yahweh.
It seems straightforward: 'Don't make a deal with them.' But the real danger wasn't just in the deal itself, but in what it would lead to. God foresaw the fallout.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Exodus 23:32-33 is available in the Sola app.
The Slippery Slope
God knew that allowing the Canaanites to dwell alongside Israel on peaceable, independent terms (which a covenant would imply) was a recipe for disaster. The primary reason? 'Lest they make you sin against me' (Exodus 23:33).
This wasn't about Israel being inherently weak, but about the potent, pervasive influence of idolatry. The Canaanites' worship and practices were deeply ingrained in their culture. Simply living in close proximity, especially through formal agreements, would create constant exposure and temptation. The historical record of Israel clearly shows that whenever they compromised on this command and tolerated neighboring idolatrous nations, they were inevitably 'ensnared' into worshipping other gods.
Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between two parties, often involving promises, obligations, and consequences. In Scripture, covenants are central to the relationship between God and His people, requiring exclusive loyalty.
elohim · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, gods refer to idols or false deities worshipped by surrounding nations. Scripture consistently teaches that these are either non-existent or demonic powers and are strictly forbidden for the people of God.
chata · Hebrew Verb
Missing the mark of God's standard, whether through disobedience, rebellion, or failure to perform one's duty toward Him. Sin is a fundamental brokenness in human relationship with the Creator, often resulting in alienation and judgment.
abad · Hebrew Verb
To perform religious duties, homage, or obedience to a deity. In the biblical narrative, true service belongs exclusively to Yahweh, and serving any other god is considered idolatry and treason.
moqesh · Hebrew Noun
A trap, lure, or bait used to ensnare or bring someone to ruin. Spiritually, it describes things or practices that entice people into sin or lead them away from God’s commandments.
This passage directly echoes the command in Exodus, emphasizing that Israel must not intermarry with the surrounding nations or show them any favor, reinforcing the idea that assimilation with idolaters is a dangerous trap.
Joshua 23:12-13Joshua warns the Israelites before his death, directly referencing the consequences of making covenants with the remaining peoples, highlighting that they would become 'snares and traps' and cause Israel's downfall.
Judges 2:1-3After Joshua's death, an angel of the Lord reiterates God's covenant and pronounces judgment on Israel for not driving out the inhabitants, showing the direct spiritual danger of allowing these nations to remain and influence them.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16The Apostle Paul applies this principle to the New Testament church, urging believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, drawing a parallel between idolatry and ungodliness, and the dangers of close association.
bensonExodus 23:32: "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods."
Exodus 23:32-33 . Thou shalt make no covenant with them — Thou shalt give no toleration to idol-worship, nor suffer it to be introduced into thy territories. Thou shalt make no league with them, either civil or religious. They shall not dwell in thy land — Unless they renounce their idolatry, which is plainly understood; for, upon their becoming proselytes to the Jewish religion, they might dwell among them, and were ca…
pulpitExodus 23:32: "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods."
Verses 32, 33. - FINAL WARNING AGAINST IDOLATRY. The "Book of the Covenant" ends as it began, with a solemn warning against idolatry. (See Exodus 20:23.) "Thou shalt make no covenant with them nor with their gods." Thou shalt not even suffer them to dwell side by side with thee in the land, on peaceable terms, with their own laws and religion, lest thou be ensnared thereby, and led to worship their idols and join in the…
The command "no covenant with them, nor with their gods" wasn't just about avoiding alliances; it was about rejecting any form of shared allegiance, because ancient treaties often explicitly honored the gods of both parties. Thus, making a covenant with the people was making a covenant with their gods, and God demanded exclusive worship.
This verse concludes a section detailing God's instructions for Israel as they prepare to enter Canaan, emphasizing the need to utterly destroy the Canaanites and their religious practices. The passage immediately preceding this warns against making any treaties or alliances with these people, as their idolatry would surely become a snare to Israel, leading them to worship false gods. This final command reinforces the absolute separation required to maintain their unique covenant relationship with the one true God.
This verse concludes a section detailing God's instructions for Israel as they prepare to enter Canaan, emphasizing the need to utterly destroy the Canaanites and their religious practices. The passage immediately preceding this warns against making any treaties or alliances with these people, as their idolatry would surely become a snare to Israel, leading them to worship false gods. This final command reinforces the absolute separation required to maintain their unique covenant relationship with the one true God.
"You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”" — The command "no covenant with them, nor with their gods" wasn't just about avoiding alliances; it was about rejecting any form of shared allegiance, because ancient treaties often explicitly honored…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
