Exodus Chapter 34 · Verse 12
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
Original Language Analysis
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Take heed
H8104
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Take heed
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּכְרֹ֤ת
to thyself lest thou make
H3772
תִּכְרֹ֤ת
to thyself lest thou make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
4 of 15
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרִית֙
a covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֙
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
5 of 15
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב
with the inhabitants
H3427
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב
with the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּ֣א
whither thou goest
H935
בָּ֣א
whither thou goest
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:2And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:Deuteronomy 7:16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern treaties often included religious elements, requiring recognition of each party's gods. Israel's covenant with YHWH precluded such arrangements.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'covenants' or alliances might compromise your exclusive loyalty to God?
- How can you maintain cultural engagement without religious compromise?
Analysis & Commentary
God warns against making covenants (בְּרִית, berit) with Canaan's inhabitants, calling such alliances a 'snare' (מוֹקֵשׁ, moqesh—a hunter's trap). Covenant with God demands exclusive loyalty; political/religious treaties with idolatrous nations would inevitably lead to syncretism. This principle applies to believers today regarding 'unequal yokes' (2 Cor 6:14-18).