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then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But if you will truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But if you truly listen to his voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But if you will indeed listen to <i>and</i> truly obey His voice and do everything that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will carefully obey him and do everything I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will carefully obey him and do everything I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you faithfully obey him, I will be a fierce enemy of your enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But if you will listen to him and do everything I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an opponent to your opponents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But if you obey him and do everything I command, I will fight against all your enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, if you carefully obey him and do everything that I say, then I'll be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if you diligently obey him and do all that I command, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will be an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and an adversary to thy adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for if you listen diligently to His voice, and have done all that which I speak, then I have been at enmity with your enemies, and have distressed those distressing you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for, if thou diligently hearken to his voice, and hast done all that which I speak, then I have been at enmity with thine enemies, and have distressed those distressing thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if hearing thou shalt hear to his voice, and to all that I shall speak; and I was an enemy to thine enemies, and I was hostile to thine adversaries.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if thou wilt hear his voice, and do all that I speak, I will be an enemy to thy enemies, and will afflict them that afflict thee. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you listen to his voice and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will afflict those who afflict you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If you obey him and carry out all I tell you, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if you shall indeed obey his voice and do all that he says to you, then I will hate those who hate you and oppress your enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you will listen to hear his voice and you will do everything that he says to you, I shall hate those hating you and I shall distress your enemies.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If ye will indeed hear my voice, and if thou wilt do all the things I shall charge thee with, and keep my covenant, ye shall be to me a peculiar people above all nations, for the whole earth is mine; and ye shall be to me a royal priesthood, and a holy nation: these words shall ye speak to the children of Israel, If ye shall indeed hear my voice, and do all the things I shall tell thee, I will be an enemy to thine enemies, and an adversary to thine adversaries.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/23-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5917" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/23.htm">God's Angel to Lead</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mō·a‘ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">you will listen carefully</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: tiš·ma‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·lōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">to his voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">and do</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">everything</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ’ă·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">I say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">I will be an enemy</a> <a href="/hebrew/340.htm" title="340: wə·’ā·yaḇ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To be hostile to. A primitive root; to hate; hence to be hostile.">to your enemies</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6696.htm" title="6696: wə·ṣar·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To confine, bind, besiege. A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine.">and a foe</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: ṣō·rə·re·ḵā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 2ms) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">to your foes.</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-1.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-2</a></span><br />“Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. / And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-7.htm">Leviticus 26:7-8</a></span><br />You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. / Five of you will pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you will pursue ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-5.htm">Joshua 1:5</a></span><br />No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Isaiah 54:17</a></span><br />No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-12.htm">Deuteronomy 7:12-15</a></span><br />If you listen to these ordinances and keep them carefully, then the LORD your God will keep His covenant and the loving devotion that He swore to your fathers. / He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and oil, the young of your herds and the lambs of your flocks—in the land that He swore to your fathers to give you. / You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-20.htm">2 Chronicles 20:20</a></span><br />Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13-14</a></span><br />If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, / how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23</a></span><br />but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-22.htm">Deuteronomy 11:22-25</a></span><br />For if you carefully keep all these commandments I am giving you to follow—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him— / then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and stronger than you. / Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7</a></span><br />Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a></span><br />If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-6.htm">Hebrews 13:6</a></span><br />So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But if you shall indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries.</p><p class="hdg">an enemy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a></b></br> And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Numbers 24:9</a></b></br> He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed <i>is</i> he that blesseth thee, and cursed <i>is</i> he that curseth thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/30-7.htm">Deuteronomy 30:7</a></b></br> And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.</p><p class="hdg">an adversary unto thing adversaries.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/15-7.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/revelation/20-7.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Attentively</a> <a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/exodus/1-12.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Distressing</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/titus/1-9.htm">Oppose</a> <a href="/exodus/23-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/exodus/22-4.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Adversaries</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-18.htm">Adversary</a> <a href="/numbers/12-8.htm">Attentively</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-16.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/numbers/22-3.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/exodus/33-4.htm">Distressing</a> <a href="/exodus/29-20.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-25.htm">Enemy</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-14.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/exodus/33-13.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/exodus/24-7.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/numbers/22-22.htm">Oppose</a> <a href="/exodus/25-2.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/exodus/24-3.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Of slander, false witness, and partiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-4.htm">Of charitableness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Of justice in judgment</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Of taking bribes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-9.htm">Of oppressing a stranger</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-10.htm">Of the year of rest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Of the Sabbath</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Of the three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-18.htm">Of the blood and the fat of the sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">An angel is promised, with a blessing, if they obey him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But if you will listen carefully to his voice</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of obedience and attentiveness to divine guidance. In the context of Exodus, God is speaking through His angel, who represents His presence and authority. Listening carefully implies a deep, intentional focus on God's instructions, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible (e.g., <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>). The concept of hearing and obeying is central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the necessity of faithfulness to God's commands.<p><b>and do everything I say</b><br>This part underscores the comprehensive nature of obedience required by God. It is not enough to merely hear; action is required. The Israelites are called to follow all of God's commandments, which are detailed in the Mosaic Law. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings are contingent upon obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-2</a>). The call to do everything God says is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of obedience to His teachings (<a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a>).<p><b>I will be an enemy to your enemies</b><br>Here, God promises divine protection and support against adversaries. This assurance is part of the covenant blessings, where God commits to fighting on behalf of Israel. Historically, this was significant as Israel faced numerous hostile nations in their journey to the Promised Land. Theologically, it reflects God's sovereignty and His role as a divine warrior (<a href="/exodus/15-3.htm">Exodus 15:3</a>). This promise is seen as a precursor to the ultimate victory over evil through Christ, who defeats sin and death (<a href="/1_corinthians/15-57.htm">1 Corinthians 15:57</a>).<p><b>and a foe to your foes</b><br>This phrase reinforces the previous promise, emphasizing God's active opposition to those who oppose His people. It assures Israel of God's continued presence and intervention in their struggles. The repetition of the concept highlights the certainty and seriousness of God's commitment. In a broader biblical context, this reflects the theme of divine justice and retribution against those who oppose God's purposes (<a href="/psalms/37-12.htm">Psalm 37:12-15</a>). It also foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where all enemies are subdued (<a href="/revelation/19-11.htm">Revelation 19:11-16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and protector of Israel, promising to be an adversary to their adversaries if they obey His commands.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being instructed to obey God's voice as they journey to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies/foes.htm">Enemies/Foes</a></b><br>The adversaries of Israel, representing any opposition or threat to God's people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, through whom God communicates His laws and promises.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The destination of the Israelites, a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing God's provision and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_as_a_covenant_requirement.htm">Obedience as a Covenant Requirement</a></b><br>The verse emphasizes the conditional nature of God's protection, which hinges on the Israelites' obedience. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a></b><br>God's promise to be an enemy to our enemies assures us of His active involvement in our battles. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and protection.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The concept of God being a foe to our foes can be applied to spiritual battles, reminding us that God fights for us against spiritual adversaries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a></b><br>Obedience requires both faith in God's promises and action in following His commands. This balance is crucial for experiencing God's blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>The collective call to obedience highlights the importance of community in faith, where believers support and hold each other accountable in their walk with God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_angelic_guidance_in_exodus_verifiable.htm">In Exodus 23:20-23, how is the supernatural guidance by an angel historically or archeologically verifiable?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/joshua_5_13-15__divine_commander_proof.htm">Joshua 5:13-15: What evidence supports a divine 'commander' appearing to Joshua, and how does this align with other biblical accounts of angelic encounters?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_against_killing_night_thieves.htm">Exodus 22:2-3: Is there evidence outside the Bible supporting or questioning the practice of killing a thief at night but not during the day?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_humans_command_angels.htm">Can humans command angels?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) <span class= "bld">An adversary unto thine adversaries.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">an afflictor of thy afflictors.</span><span class= "bld"><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - If <span class="cmt_word">thou shalt indeed obey his voice</span>, <span class="cmt_word">and do all that I speak</span>. The change of persons in the latter clause - "all that I speak," instead of "all that he speaks" - implies the doctrine of the <span class="accented">perienchoresis</span> or <span class="accented">circuminsessio</span>, that God the Father is in the Son and the Spirit, as they are in him. <span class="cmt_word">An adversary to thy adversaries</span>. Rather "an afflictor of thy afflictors." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/23-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will listen carefully</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמֹ֤עַ</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mō·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to his voice</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקֹל֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qō·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and do</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">everything</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I say,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדַבֵּ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will be an enemy</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹ֣יְבֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_340.htm">Strong's 340: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hostile to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your enemies</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָֽיַבְתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·yaḇ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a foe</span><br /><span class="heb">וְצַרְתִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṣar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6696.htm">Strong's 6696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confine, bind, besiege</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your foes.</span><br /><span class="heb">צֹרְרֶֽיךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·rə·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/23-22.htm">Exodus 23:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/23-22.htm">OT Law: Exodus 23:22 But if you indeed listen to his (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/23-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 23:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/23-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 23:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 23:23" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>