Exodus 23:24
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤ה
Thou shalt not bow down
H7812
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤ה
Thou shalt not bow down
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
2 of 14
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙
to their gods
H430
לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙
to their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָֽעָבְדֵ֔ם
nor serve
H5647
תָֽעָבְדֵ֔ם
nor serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
5 of 14
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה
them nor do
H6213
תַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה
them nor do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם
after their works
H4639
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם
after their works
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
8 of 14
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔ם
but thou shalt utterly
H2040
תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔ם
but thou shalt utterly
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
10 of 14
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔ם
but thou shalt utterly
H2040
תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔ם
but thou shalt utterly
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
11 of 14
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
Cross References
Exodus 20:5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;Numbers 33:52Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:Deuteronomy 12:3And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.Deuteronomy 7:5But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.Exodus 32:20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.Leviticus 18:3After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.2 Chronicles 33:9So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.
Historical Context
The Book of the Covenant concludes with liturgical calendar and worship regulations, integrating Israel's civil, moral, and ceremonial life under God's comprehensive rule.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law reveal God's character—His justice, mercy, or holiness?
- What New Testament principles build upon or fulfill this Old Testament regulation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.
This command shapes Israel's covenant community life, applying moral law to social relationships. God's justice concerns everyday matters—truthfulness, fairness, compassion. The accumulation of ordinances creates comprehensive ethic governing Israelite society. These aren't arbitrary rules but revelations of God's character. He is just, merciful, truthful; His people must reflect these attributes. New Testament ethics build on this foundation, radicalizing commands while maintaining their spirit.