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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.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/22-19.htm" title="Exodus 22:19">◄</a> Exodus 22:20 <a href="/exodus/22-21.htm" title="Exodus 22:21">►</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/22.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/22.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth unto <i>any</i> god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“He who sacrifices to <i>any</i> god, except to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And he who sacrifices to any god, other than to Yahweh alone, shall be devoted to destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be put under a ban (designated) for destruction (execution).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the LORD alone, is to be set apart for destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the LORD alone, is to be set apart for destruction.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto Jehovah only, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death is the punishment for offering sacrifices to any god except me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever sacrifices to any god except the LORD must be condemned and destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Condemn to death anyone who offers sacrifices to any god except to me, the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Anyone who sacrifices to a god, except the LORD alone, is to be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If anyone sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone, he must be set apart for destruction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Whoever sacrifices to a god other than the LORD alone must be utterly destroyed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"He who sacrifices to another god, except to the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth to any god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“He who sacrifices to any god, except to Yahweh only, shall be utterly destroyed. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />He who is sacrificing to a god, except to YHWH alone, is devoted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'He who is sacrificing to a god, save to Jehovah alone, is devoted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He sacrificing to a God except to Jehovah himself alone, shall be devoted to destruction.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever immolates to gods, other than to the Lord, shall be killed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever sacrifices to any god, except to the LORD alone, shall be put under the ban.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who sacrifices to idols shall be utterly destroyed; but to the LORD alone shall he sacrifice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He who will sacrifice to objects of worship, if not to LORD JEHOVAH alone, shall be destroyed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that sacrificeth unto the gods, save unto the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that sacrifices to any gods but to the Lord alone, shall be destroyed by death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/22-20.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=5637" 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/22.htm">Laws of Social Responsibility</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>Whoever lies with an animal must surely be put to death. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: zō·ḇê·aḥ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">If anyone sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: lā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">to any god</a> <a href="/hebrew/1115.htm" title="1115: bil·tî (Prep) -- Constructive feminine of balah; properly, a failure of, i.e. not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.">other than</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇad·dōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Separation, a part. ">alone,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: yā·ḥo·rām (V-Hofal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">he must be set apart for destruction.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.…<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/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6-10</a></span><br />If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Deuteronomy 17:2-5</a></span><br />If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant / and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— / and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2-5</a></span><br />“Tell the Israelites, ‘Any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death. The people of the land are to stone him. / And I will set My face against that man and cut him off from his people, because by giving his offspring to Molech, he has defiled My sanctuary and profaned My holy name. / And if the people of the land ever hide their eyes and fail to put to death the man who gives one of his children to Molech, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-14.htm">Deuteronomy 6:14-15</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. / For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Deuteronomy 32:16-17</a></span><br />They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">2 Kings 17:35-39</a></span><br />For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. / And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-6.htm">Jeremiah 25:6</a></span><br />Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/96-5.htm">Psalm 96:5</a></span><br />For all the gods of the nations are idols, but it is the LORD who made the heavens.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-21.htm">1 John 5:21</a></span><br />Little children, keep yourselves from idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that sacrifices to any god, save to the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.</p><p class="hdg">sacrificeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Numbers 21:3</a></b></br> And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/23-15.htm">Joshua 23:15,16</a></b></br> Therefore it shall come to pass, <i>that</i> as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/exodus/21-26.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/exodus/22-6.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-10.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/exodus/12-16.htm">Except</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/exodus/18-12.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/genesis/46-1.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/exodus/12-16.htm">Save</a> <a href="/exodus/22-17.htm">Utterly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/22-27.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-30.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/exodus/32-10.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-21.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-33.htm">Except</a> <a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/exodus/25-2.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/exodus/24-5.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/numbers/22-40.htm">Sacrificeth</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-5.htm">Sacrificing</a> <a href="/numbers/11-6.htm">Save</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Utterly</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-1.htm">Of Theft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Of damage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-7.htm">Of trespasses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-14.htm">Of borrowing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Of fornication</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Of witchcraft</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-19.htm">Of bestiality</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Of strangers, widows, and fatherless</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-25.htm">Of usury</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Of pledges</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-28.htm">Of reverence to magistrates</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-29.htm">Of the first fruits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/22-31.htm">Of torn flesh</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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Sacrifices were made to deities as acts of devotion, appeasement, or thanksgiving. In the context of the Israelites, sacrifices were to be made exclusively to Yahweh, the one true God. This command underscores the monotheistic nature of Israelite religion, contrasting with the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations such as the Canaanites, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians, who worshipped multiple gods and engaged in various sacrificial rituals.<p><b>other than the LORD alone</b><br>The exclusivity of worship to Yahweh is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The first of the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>) states, "You shall have no other gods before Me." This commandment emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God demands exclusive worship and loyalty. The phrase "the LORD alone" highlights the unique identity of Yahweh as the sole deity worthy of worship, setting the Israelites apart from other nations. This exclusivity is further reinforced in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, the Shema, which declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."<p><b>he must be set apart for destruction</b><br>The phrase "set apart for destruction" indicates a severe consequence for idolatry, reflecting the seriousness of the offense. In the Hebrew context, this often meant being devoted to destruction or being put to death, as seen in the concept of "herem," where something is devoted to God for destruction. This punishment served as a deterrent against idolatry and maintained the purity of the Israelite community. The severity of this command is echoed in <a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6-10</a>, where even close relatives who entice others to worship other gods are to be put to death. This reflects the holiness and justice of God, who cannot tolerate idolatry among His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The primary audience of the laws given in Exodus, including this commandment, were the Israelites, God's chosen people, who were being formed into a nation under God's covenant.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God delivered the Ten Commandments and other laws to Moses, including the commandment in <a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20</a>.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/pagan_nations.htm">Pagan Nations</a></b><br>The surrounding nations that worshiped multiple gods, whose practices were forbidden to the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The one true God who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and established a covenant with them, demanding exclusive worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/e/exclusive_worship.htm">Exclusive Worship</a></b><br>God demands exclusive worship. This commandment underscores the importance of loyalty and devotion to God alone, rejecting all forms of idolatry.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. This principle applies to Christians today, who are called to live set apart for God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_idolatry.htm">Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>The severe consequence of idolatry in this verse serves as a warning about the spiritual dangers of turning away from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_a_pluralistic_society.htm">Faithfulness in a Pluralistic Society</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations, Christians today live in a pluralistic society. This verse challenges believers to remain faithful to God amidst diverse beliefs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_justice.htm">Understanding God's Justice</a></b><br>The command to destroy those who sacrifice to other gods reflects God's justice and the seriousness of sin. It invites believers to reflect on God's holiness and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/exodus_22_20__why_mandate_destruction.htm">Exodus 22:20: Why does the text mandate destruction for those worshipping other gods, despite broader biblical themes of free will and choice? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_numbers_31's_warfare_approach_unique.htm">Numbers 31 compared to earlier laws in Exodus and Leviticus: Why does this narrative’s approach to warfare seem inconsistent with other divine commandments?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_god_command_theft_in_exodus.htm">Did God command stealing? (Exodus 20:15 vs. Exodus 3:22)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_god_order_human_sacrifice.htm">Did God command human sacrifice? (Genesis 22:2 vs. Deuteronomy 12:31)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">He that sacrificeth.</span>--Sacrifice in this place represents worship generally, being its most essential act. Elsewhere the death-penalty is affixed to any acknowledgment of false gods (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/13-1.htm" title="If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder,">Deuteronomy 13:1-16</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Shall be utterly destroyed.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">Shall be devoted, i.e., </span>devoted to destruction.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - Law against sacrificing to false gods. Sacrifice was the chief act of worship; and to sacrifice to a false god was to renounce the true God. Under a theocracy this was rebellion, and rightly punished with temporal death. In ordinary states it would be no civil offence, and would be left to the final judgment of the Almighty. <span class="cmt_word">Utterly destroyed</span>. Literally, "devoted;" but with the meaning of "devoted to destruction." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/22-20.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">Whoever sacrifices</span><br /><span class="heb">זֹבֵ֥חַ</span> <span class="translit">(zō·ḇê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> </span><span class="str2">To slaughter for sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to any god</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">except</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְתִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(bil·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1115.htm">Strong's 1115: </a> </span><span class="str2">A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">alone</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַדּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇad·dōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must be utterly destroyed.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָֽחֳרָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥo·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/22-20.htm">Exodus 22:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/22-20.htm">OT Law: Exodus 22:20 He who sacrifices to any god except (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/22-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 22:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/22-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 22:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 22:21" /></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>