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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 34:12 Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/34-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/02_Exo_34_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 34:12 - The LORD Renews the Covenant" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/34-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/34-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/34.htm">Chapter 34</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/34-11.htm" title="Exodus 34:11">◄</a> Exodus 34:12 <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm" title="Exodus 34:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/34.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/34.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be careful that you do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Beware lest you cut a covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Watch yourself so that you do not make a covenant (solemn agreement, treaty) with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a [dangerous] trap among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land that you are going to enter; otherwise, they will become a snare among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land that you are going to enter; otherwise, they will become a snare among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't make treaties with any of those people. If you do, it will be like falling into a trap. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you're going. This will prove to be a trap to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not make any treaties with the people of the country into which you are going, because this could be a fatal trap for you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Be very careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going, so they won't be a snare among you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land you are entering, lest they become a snare in your midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Be careful not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it become a snare among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare in the midst of you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare among you; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />take heed to yourself lest you make a covenant with the inhabitant of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitant of the land into which thou art going, lest it become a snare in thy midst;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Watch to thyself lest thou shalt make a covenant with those dwelling in the land which thou goest upon it, lest it shall be for a snare in the midst of thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Beware thou never join in friendship with the inhabitants of that land, which may be thy ruin: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Beware that you do not ever join in friendship with the inhabitants of that land, which may be your ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Take care not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land that you are to enter; lest they become a snare among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Take care not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going, or it will become a snare among you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Take heed to yourself lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither you go, lest they become a stumbling block to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Keep the thing that I command you today; behold I destroy from before you the Canaanites and Amorites and Khithites and Perizzites and Khivites and Yebusites.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest they be for a snare in the midst of thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />take heed to thyself, lest at any time thou make a covenant with the dwellers on the land, into which thou art entering, lest it be to thee a stumbling-block among you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/34-12.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=8932" 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/34.htm">The LORD Renews the Covenant</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Observe what I command you this day. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hiš·šā·mer (V-Nifal-Imp-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">Be careful</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: tiḵ·rōṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">to make</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rîṯ (N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">a treaty</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: lə·yō·wō·šêḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">with the inhabitants</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the land</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/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">are entering,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they become</a> <a href="/hebrew/4170.htm" title="4170: lə·mō·w·qêš (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- A bait or lure, a snare. Or moqesh; from yaqosh; a noose: by implication, a hook.">a snare</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: bə·qir·be·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial.">in your midst.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.…<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/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2-4</a></span><br />and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-30.htm">Deuteronomy 12:30</a></span><br />be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Joshua 23:12-13</a></span><br />For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2-3</a></span><br />and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? / So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-36</a></span><br />They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16-18</a></span><br />However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. / For you must devote them to complete destruction—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you, / so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-55.htm">Numbers 33:55-56</a></span><br />But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle. / And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-2</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/9-12.htm">Ezra 9:12</a></span><br />Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-17</a></span><br />Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">1 Corinthians 15:33</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a></span><br />You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_john/1-9.htm">2 John 1:9-11</a></span><br />Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. / If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him. / Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11-12</a></span><br />Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. / Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you go, lest it be for a snare in the middle of you:</p><p class="hdg">take heed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-32.htm">Exodus 23:32,33</a></b></br> Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-2.htm">Deuteronomy 7:2</a></b></br> And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, <i>and</i> utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</a></b></br> And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?</p><p class="hdg">lest</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-16.htm">Deuteronomy 7:16</a></b></br> And 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 <i>will be</i> a snare unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/23-12.htm">Joshua 23:12,13</a></b></br> Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, <i>even</i> these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-3.htm">Judges 2:3</a></b></br> Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be <i>as thorns</i> in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/31-16.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Care</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/exodus/33-19.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/34-10.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/exodus/33-16.htm">Goest</a> <a href="/exodus/23-21.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/genesis/50-11.htm">Inhabitant</a> <a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/exodus/34-9.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/exodus/34-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/exodus/34-11.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/genesis/26-28.htm">Treaty</a> <a href="/exodus/21-36.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Whither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-2.htm">Care</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/exodus/34-16.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/exodus/34-24.htm">Goest</a> <a href="/numbers/23-12.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Inhabitant</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/exodus/36-33.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-4.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-16.htm">Snare</a> <a href="/exodus/34-17.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Treaty</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-35.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/leviticus/18-3.htm">Whither</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 34</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">The tablets are replaced</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-5.htm">The name of the Lord proclaimed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-8.htm">Moses entreats God to go with them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-10.htm">God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil</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/34.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/34.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Be careful not to make a treaty</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of vigilance and obedience to God's commands. In the ancient Near Eastern context, treaties were common diplomatic tools used to establish peace and alliances between different nations or tribes. However, God warns the Israelites against forming such agreements with the inhabitants of Canaan. This caution reflects the need for spiritual purity and separation from pagan influences, which could lead the Israelites away from their covenant relationship with God. The warning is a reminder of the first commandment, to have no other gods before Yahweh (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>).<p><b>with the inhabitants of the land you are entering</b><br>The "inhabitants of the land" refers to the Canaanite peoples who lived in the Promised Land before the arrival of the Israelites. These groups included the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, among others. Archaeological evidence shows that these cultures were deeply entrenched in idolatry and practices that were abominable to the Lord, such as child sacrifice and temple prostitution. The Israelites were entering a land that was promised to them by God, a land flowing with milk and honey (<a href="/exodus/3-8.htm">Exodus 3:8</a>), but it was also a land filled with spiritual and moral challenges.<p><b>lest they become a snare in your midst</b><br>The term "snare" suggests a trap or a source of entanglement that could lead to the downfall of the Israelites. This warning highlights the danger of syncretism, where the Israelites might adopt the religious practices and customs of the Canaanites, leading to idolatry and a departure from the worship of the one true God. The history of Israel, as recorded in the books of Judges and Kings, shows that this warning was not always heeded, resulting in periods of apostasy and divine judgment. The concept of a "snare" is also echoed in the New Testament, where believers are cautioned against being unequally yoked with unbelievers (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a>), emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment and separation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who received the commandments from God on Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were being led from Egypt to the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_inhabitants_of_the_land.htm">The Inhabitants of the Land</a></b><br>Refers to the Canaanite nations residing in the Promised Land, whose practices and beliefs were contrary to those of the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and other laws from God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_compromise.htm">Avoiding Compromise</a></b><br>The command to avoid treaties with the inhabitants serves as a warning against compromising one's faith and values. Believers today must be vigilant in maintaining their distinctiveness in a world with conflicting values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_snares.htm">The Danger of Snares</a></b><br>The term "snare" (Hebrew: moqesh) indicates a trap or entanglement. Engaging with ungodly influences can lead to spiritual entrapment, drawing believers away from their commitment to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God's call for the Israelites to remain separate from the Canaanites underscores the importance of holiness. Christians are called to be in the world but not of it, maintaining purity in their walk with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_commands.htm">Faithfulness to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites were to trust in God's wisdom and commands, even when they seemed difficult. Similarly, believers are called to trust and obey God's Word, knowing that His ways are higher than ours.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_34.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 34</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_canaanite_altars_persist_in_use.htm">In Deuteronomy 12:2–4, how does the command to destroy all pagan worship sites fit with archaeological findings that some Canaanite altars appear to have remained in use? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_separate_if_some_converted.htm">Ezra 10:44 – How can a just God require separating from wives and children if some may have converted to the faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_order_animal_deaths_in_1_sam_15_3.htm">Why would God demand the killing of animals in 1 Samuel 15:3, seemingly contradicting His care for His creation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_numbers_33_52-53_with_justice.htm">Numbers 33:52-53: How can a mandate to drive out entire populations and destroy their religious symbols be reconciled with other biblical passages promoting justice and compassion?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/34.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12-16) This passage may be compared with <a href="/context/exodus/23-24.htm" title="You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but you shall utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.">Exodus 23:24-25</a>; <a href="/context/exodus/23-32.htm" title="You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.">Exodus 23:32-33</a>. It repeats, with some enlargements, the enactments there made, and traces in detail the evil consequences which would follow from a neglect of the enactments.<p>(12) <span class= "bld">A snare.</span>--Comp. <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm" title="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.">Exodus 23:33</a>; and for the nature of the snare, see <a href="/context/exodus/34-15.htm" title="Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice to their gods, and one call you, and you eat of his sacrifice;">Exodus 34:15-16</a> of the present chapter.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Take</span> <span class="cmt_word">heed to thyself lest thou make a covenant</span>. See above, <a href="/exodus/23-32.htm">Exodus 23:32</a> <span class="cmt_word">A snare</span>. See <a href="/exodus/23-33.htm">Exodus 23:33</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/34-12.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">Be careful</span><br /><span class="heb">הִשָּׁ֣מֶר</span> <span class="translit">(hiš·šā·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to make</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּכְרֹ֤ת</span> <span class="translit">(tiḵ·rōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a treaty</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִית֙</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the inhabitants</span><br /><span class="heb">לְיוֹשֵׁ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(lə·yō·wō·šêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֔רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are entering,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(bā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(pen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> </span><span class="str2">Removal, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they become</span><br /><span class="heb">יִהְיֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(yih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a snare</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמוֹקֵ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mō·w·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4170.htm">Strong's 4170: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bait or lure, a snare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your midst.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·qir·be·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7130.htm">Strong's 7130: </a> </span><span class="str2">The nearest part, the center</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/34-12.htm">Exodus 34:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/34-12.htm">OT Law: Exodus 34:12 Be careful lest you make a covenant (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/34-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 34:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 34:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 34:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 34:13" /></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>