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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.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/34-12.htm" title="Exodus 34:12">◄</a> Exodus 34:13 <a href="/exodus/34-14.htm" title="Exodus 34:14">►</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 />Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/34.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/34.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/34.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/34.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/34.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But you shall destroy their altars, break their <i>sacred</i> pillars, and cut down their wooden images<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/34.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But <i>rather,</i> you are to tear down their altars and smash their memorial stones, and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/34.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/34.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But <i>rather,</i> you are to tear down their altars and smash their <i>sacred</i> pillars and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/34.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But <i>rather</i>, you are to tear down their altars and shatter their <i>sacred</i> pillars and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/34.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But you shall tear down <i>and</i> destroy their [pagan] altars, smash in pieces their [sacred] pillars (obelisks, images) and cut down their Asherim<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/34.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, and chop down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/34.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Instead, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, and chop down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/34.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/34.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Instead, you must destroy their altars and tear down the sacred poles they use in the worship of the goddess Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/34.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/34.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But tear down their altars, crush their sacred stones, and cut down their poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/34.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Instead, tear down their altars, destroy their sacred pillars, and cut down their symbols of the goddess Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/34.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Rather, you are to tear down their altars, you are to smash their sacred pillars, and you are to cut down their sacred poles —<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/34.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/34.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Rather you must destroy their altars, smash their images, and cut down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/34.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/34.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/34.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/34.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for you break down their altars, and you shatter their standing pillars, and you cut down its Asherim;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/34.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for their altars ye break down, and their standing pillars ye shiver, and its shrines ye cut down;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/34.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For their altars thou shalt lay waste, and their pillars thou shalt break, and their images thou shalt cut off.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/34.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But destroy their altars, break their statues, and cut down their groves: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/34.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But destroy their altars, break their statues, and cut down their sacred groves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/34.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Tear down their altars; smash their sacred stones, and cut down their asherahs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/34.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall tear down their altars, break their pillars, and cut down their sacred poles<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/34.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But you must destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/34.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Beware that you will not establish a covenant with those inhabiting the land where you go, lest it shall be a stumbling block to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/34.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/34.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall destroy their altars, and break in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their groves, and the graven images of their gods ye shall burn with fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/34-13.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=8940" 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">12</span>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="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Rather,</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/5422.htm" title="5422: tit·tō·ṣūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">you must tear down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥō·ṯām (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">their altars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: tə·šab·bê·rūn (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">smash</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4676.htm" title="4676: maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A pillar, stump. Feminine participle of natsab; something stationed, i.e. A column or; by analogy, an idol.">their sacred stones,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: tiḵ·rō·ṯūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">and chop down</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: ’ă·šê·rāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">their Asherah poles.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.…<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/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a></span><br />Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3</a></span><br />Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a></span><br />He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a></span><br />When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8</a></span><br />They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a></span><br />Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a></span><br />Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Micah 5:13-14</a></span><br />I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. / I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a></span><br />He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Hosea 10:2</a></span><br />Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a></span><br />“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Numbers 33:52</a></span><br />you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-58.htm">Psalm 78:58</a></span><br />They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But you shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:</p><p class="hdg">ye shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5,25,26</a></b></br> But 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2,3</a></b></br> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: … </p><p class="hdg">images.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Break</a> <a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/exodus/34-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/exodus/29-20.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Demolish</a> <a href="/exodus/33-5.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Images</a> <a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Overturned</a> <a href="/exodus/29-17.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/exodus/27-17.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/exodus/30-5.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/exodus/12-9.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/exodus/31-10.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-2.htm">Shiver</a> <a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/amos/6-11.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/exodus/33-10.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/exodus/34-1.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/32-24.htm">Tear</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/exodus/34-20.htm">Break</a> <a href="/exodus/34-20.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/exodus/35-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-5.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Demolish</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Groves</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-4.htm">Images</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-16.htm">Overturned</a> <a href="/exodus/39-4.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/exodus/35-11.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/exodus/35-12.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-14.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/exodus/35-19.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-2.htm">Shiver</a> <a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/exodus/36-20.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/exodus/34-28.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/exodus/39-23.htm">Tear</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'; 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The altars refer to the places of worship used by the Canaanites for their pagan rituals. The directive to tear them down underscores the importance of removing any temptation to idolatry and ensuring the purity of worship dedicated solely to Yahweh. This act symbolizes a complete rejection of Canaanite religious practices and a commitment to the covenant relationship with God. The destruction of altars is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the need for exclusive devotion to God (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5</a>, <a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25-26</a>).<p><b>smash their sacred stones</b><br>Sacred stones, or "standing stones," were often used in Canaanite religious practices as symbols of deities or as memorials for significant events. The command to smash these stones highlights the need to eliminate any physical representation of false gods, which could lead the Israelites astray. This action is a physical demonstration of the spiritual warfare against idolatry and the need to uphold the holiness of God. The destruction of these stones is a reminder of the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of idols (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>).<p><b>and chop down their Asherah poles</b><br>Asherah poles were wooden symbols associated with the worship of the goddess Asherah, a prominent deity in the Canaanite pantheon. These poles were often placed near altars and were integral to fertility rites and other pagan ceremonies. The command to chop them down signifies the eradication of any influence that could corrupt the Israelites' worship of Yahweh. This act is not only about physical destruction but also about purifying the land from spiritual defilement. The removal of Asherah poles is echoed in the reforms of faithful kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, who sought to restore true worship in Israel (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>, <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a>).<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. He is the central human figure in this account, acting as the mediator between God and the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in the Promised Land without falling into idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land that God promised to the Israelites, which was inhabited by various pagan nations whose religious practices were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a></b><br>Wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, representing idolatrous practices that God commanded the Israelites to destroy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/altars_and_sacred_stones.htm">Altars and Sacred Stones</a></b><br>Structures used in pagan worship that were prevalent in Canaanite religious practices, which God instructed the Israelites to demolish to maintain purity in worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_in_worship.htm">Purity in Worship</a></b><br>God demands exclusive worship and the removal of anything that competes with or corrupts devotion to Him. Believers today must examine their lives for modern "idols" that may detract from their relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to act decisively against idolatry. Christians are similarly called to obey God's Word, even when it requires difficult or counter-cultural actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The physical destruction of pagan symbols in the Old Testament reflects the spiritual battle believers face today. Christians must be vigilant in identifying and dismantling spiritual strongholds in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>God’s command to destroy pagan altars underscores the importance of holiness and being set apart for God. Believers are called to live distinctively, reflecting God's character in a world that often opposes His ways.<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/will_the_death_covenant_end.htm">What are the Sacred Pillars?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_sacred_pillars.htm">What are the Sacred Pillars?</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/does_stoning_a_son_conflict_with_'do_not_murder'.htm">Deuteronomy 21:18-21: Does the mandate to stone a rebellious son conflict with the commandment against murder (Exodus 20:13)?</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>(13) <span class= "bld">Ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves.</span>--In the "Book of the Covenant" the command had been simply to "quite break down their images" (<a href="/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</a>). Now, after the Israelites had displayed their idolatrous leanings, it is added that they are likewise to destroy the "altars" and the "groves." Altars were common among all the idolatrous nations, sometimes attached to temples (<a href="/1_kings/16-32.htm" title="And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.">1Kings 16:32</a>; <a href="/context/2_kings/21-4.htm" title="And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.">2Kings 21:4-5</a>), sometimes separate from them (<a href="/numbers/23-1.htm" title="And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.">Numbers 23:1</a>; <a href="/numbers/23-29.htm" title="And Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams.">Numbers 23:29</a>; <a href="/context/2_kings/16-10.htm" title="And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.">2Kings 16:10-11</a>), and were used for much the same purposes as the Hebrew altars: <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>for sacrifices, bloody and unbloody, and for burning incense. "Groves"--here mentioned for the first time--were peculiar to a limited number of nations, as the Assyrians, Babylonians, Ph?nicians, Syrians, and a few others. They appear to have been artificial constructions, either of wood or stone, or both, imitative of vegetable forms, and probably emblematic of the productive powers of nature. The worship connected with the "groves" was of a peculiarly gross and licentious character. The very name, <span class= "ital">asherah, </span>was a modification of Ashtoreth, or Astarte. It is remarkable that nothing is said of destroying Canaannite temples--an indication that as yet they did not exist, and a mark of the high antiquity of the book. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/34.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye</span> <span class="cmt_word">shall destroy their altars</span>, etc. This command is more sweeping than the corresponding one in the "Book of the Covenant" (<a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a>), which expressly mentions only the "images." Here the destruction of idol-altars and idol-groves is further commanded. On idol-altars, see <a href="/numbers/23-1.htm">Numbers 23:1, 29</a>; <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</a>; <a href="/1_kings/16-32.htm">1 Kings 16:32</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26</a>, etc. <span class="cmt_word">Groves</span> are here for the first time mentioned. They appear to have been artificial constructions, either of wood or metal, or both, more or less imitative of trees, and regarded as emblems of the Oriental nature-deities, especially Baal and Astarte or Ashtoreth. The word translated "grove" (<span class="accented">asherah</span>) is a modification of the name Ashtoreth. The well-known "sacred tree" of the Assyrians is probably an <span class="accented">asherah</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/34-13.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">Rather,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</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">you must tear down</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתֹּצ֔וּן</span> <span class="translit">(tit·tō·ṣūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull down, break down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their altars,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבְּחֹתָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bə·ḥō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">smash</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּשַׁבֵּר֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(tə·šab·bê·rūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break, break in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their sacred stones,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4676.htm">Strong's 4676: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something stationed, a column, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and chop down</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּכְרֹתֽוּן׃</span> <span class="translit">(tiḵ·rō·ṯūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<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">their Asherah poles.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֵׁרָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šê·rāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">OT Law: Exodus 34:13 But you shall break down their altars (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/34-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 34:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 34:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/34-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 34:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 34:14" /></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>