Keraia
Exodus 34

Exodus 34:16

The LORD Renews the Covenant · Exodus 34:10–35
Read Exodus 34

Translations

Modern
And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.
Traditional
And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
Literal
…and you take from his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the prostitute with their gods, and they make your sons play the prostitute with their gods.
Latin
Nec uxorem de filiabus eorum accipies filiis tuis: ne, postquam ipsæ fuerint fornicatæ, fornicari faciant et filios tuos in deos suos.

Original

Hebrew
English
And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.

Notes

Exodus 34:16

Marriage with people who worshiped other gods was a problem throughout the Old Testament. God warned His people not to marry those who followed other gods (see Genesis 24:3; Ezra 9:1–2; compare 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

Exodus 34:12–17

Worship of idols was prohibited, particularly the idols of the peoples into whose lands the Israelites were going. A key part of this restriction was the ban on treaties, or covenants, with these idol-worshiping peoples. Making a treaty would mean acknowledging their gods, as ancient treaties often called upon gods as witnesses (see study note on 20:1–23:33).

The treaties would also tempt the Israelites to adopt the customs of their treaty partners (34:12, 15–16).

Exodus 34:10–26

Some of the terms of the covenant are restated, particularly those that prohibit the worship of other gods and that describe the proper worship of the Lord.

Exodus 34:1–35

God granted the request of Moses (33:18). He showed Moses his goodness (34:1–9). He renewed the covenant (34:10–35).

This renewal was a statement made by God alone. God promised to stay with his people, keeping his covenant promises even though they had broken the covenant and deserved death and abandonment (32:1–6).

Parallels

2 Corinthians 3:7–18

Glossary

Amorites Biblical Concept of Law Book of Exodus Canaan, Canaanite Deuteronomy, Book of Elephantine Papyri Foreigner History of Israel Hosea, Book of Idols, Idolatry Judges, Book of Marriage, Marriage Customs Mount Sinai Pillar of Fire and Cloud Tabernacle

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Fellowship with the Wicked Idolatry: Saints should not Intermarry with Those Who Practise Marriage: Wives Among the Israelites Must be Israelites Miscegenation: Moses Miscegenation: Reasons for Prohibition Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning