Exodus 34:15
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
Original Language Analysis
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּכְרֹ֥ת
Lest thou make
H3772
תִּכְרֹ֥ת
Lest thou make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
2 of 14
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
בְּרִ֖ית
a covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֖ית
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
3 of 14
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב
with the inhabitants
H3427
לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב
with the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וְזָנ֣וּ׀
and they go a whoring
H2181
וְזָנ֣וּ׀
and they go a whoring
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
6 of 14
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
H430
לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 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
וְזָֽבְחוּ֙
and do sacrifice
H2076
וְזָֽבְחוּ֙
and do sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
9 of 14
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
H430
לֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 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
וְקָרָ֣א
and one call
H7121
וְקָרָ֣א
and one call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
11 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Judges 2:17And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.Psalms 106:28They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.1 Corinthians 8:4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.Deuteronomy 31:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.Numbers 25:2And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.1 Corinthians 8:10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;1 Corinthians 10:27If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.Jeremiah 3:9And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.Exodus 34:12Take 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:1 Corinthians 8:7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Historical Context
Pagan worship often involved communal meals where participants ate food sacrificed to idols, creating covenant fellowship with the deity and its worshipers (see Paul's discussion in 1 Cor 8-10).
Questions for Reflection
- How do social relationships and cultural participation create spiritual temptations today?
- What boundaries do you need to maintain to preserve spiritual fidelity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God reiterates the warning against covenants with Canaanites, explaining the mechanism of apostasy: social covenant leads to worship participation, which leads to sexual/spiritual prostitution (זָנָה, zanah—the term for both literal and spiritual harlotry). The phrase 'gods of the land' emphasizes the territorial nature of ancient paganism. Eating sacrificial meals created covenant bonds with the deity.