Exodus 20:23
Exodus 20:23 in Multiple Translations
You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.
Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.
Ye shall not make other gods with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.
Gods of silver and gods of gold you are not to make for yourselves.
You must not make any idols of silver or gold to worship in addition to me.
Ye shall not make therefore with me gods of siluer, nor gods of golde: you shall make you none.
ye do not make with Me gods of silver, even gods of gold ye do not make to yourselves.
You shall most certainly not make gods of silver or gods of gold for yourselves to be alongside me.
Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make to you gods of gold.
You shall not make gods of silver, nor shall you make to yourselves gods of gold.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 20:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 20:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹ֥א
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ/ן
אִתִּ֑/י
אֱלֹ֤הֵי
כֶ֨סֶף֙
וֵ/אלֹהֵ֣י
זָהָ֔ב
לֹ֥א
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ
לָ/כֶֽם
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ/ן
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp | Suff
אִתִּ֑/י
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
אֱלֹ֤הֵי
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
כֶ֨סֶף֙
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms
וֵ/אלֹהֵ֣י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
Conj | N-mp
זָהָ֔ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
לָ/כֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 20:23
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ/ן
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp | Suff
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אִתִּ֑/י
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
אֱלֹ֤הֵי
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
כֶ֨סֶף֙
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
וֵ/אלֹהֵ֣י
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
Conj | N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
זָהָ֔ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַעֲשׂ֖וּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/כֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Exodus 20:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 20:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
- Sermons on Exodus 20:23
Context — Idolatry Forbidden
21And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
22Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.
23You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.
24You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 20:39 | And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols. |
| 2 | Zephaniah 1:5 | those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, |
| 3 | 2 Kings 17:33 | They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. |
| 4 | Exodus 32:31 | So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made gods of gold for themselves. |
| 5 | Revelation 22:15 | But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. |
| 6 | 1 John 5:20–21 | And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 10:21–22 | 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. Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? |
| 8 | Exodus 20:3–5 | You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, |
| 9 | Ezekiel 43:8 | When they placed their threshold next to My threshold and their doorposts beside My doorposts, with only a wall between Me and them, they defiled My holy name by the abominations they committed. Therefore I have consumed them in My anger. |
| 10 | Exodus 32:1–4 | Now when the people saw that Moses was delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!” So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” |
Exodus 20:23 Summary
This verse reminds us that God wants to be the only God in our lives, and we should not create or prioritize anything that takes His place. This means being careful not to make idols, whether physical or mental, and instead focusing on worshiping and obeying God alone (as seen in Exodus 20:3 and Deuteronomy 6:13). By doing so, we can avoid the temptation to make 'gods of silver or gold' and instead make God the center of our lives, just like the Israelites were instructed to do in Exodus 20:24-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to make gods alongside God?
To make gods alongside God means to create or prioritize other things that take God's place in our lives, which is idolatry, as warned against in Exodus 20:23 and also in Deuteronomy 13:6-10.
Can we make idols without realizing it?
Yes, we can unintentionally create idols by prioritizing things like money, status, or relationships over our relationship with God, as seen in Colossians 3:5 and Matthew 6:24.
How does this verse relate to the commandment to have no other gods before God?
This verse is a specific application of the first commandment, as stated in Exodus 20:3, where God commands us to have no other gods before Him, and it emphasizes the importance of not creating physical or mental idols to worship.
What is the difference between making gods of silver or gold and making an altar for God?
The key difference is the intent and purpose: making gods of silver or gold is idolatry and a form of self-worship, whereas making an altar for God, as instructed in Exodus 20:24, is an act of worship and obedience to Him, as also seen in Exodus 25:8-9.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways might I be tempted to make 'gods' alongside God in my own life, and how can I avoid this?
- What are some modern-day examples of 'gods of silver or gold' that people might prioritize over their relationship with God?
- How can I ensure that I am not unintentionally creating idols in my life, and what are some signs that I might be doing so?
- What would it look like for me to make God the sole focus of my worship and devotion, and how can I take steps to prioritize this in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 20:23
Ye shall not make with me,.... This is a proposition of itself, as appears by the accent Athnach placed at the end of it, which divides it from the following, and therefore "gods of silver" belong to
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 20:23
Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
With me, i.e. to worship together with me; I will allow no companion; or, to me, as it follows, unto you; and , unto me; and the particle eth is sometimes used for el, or lamed, as ; or, for me, either to represent my person, by comparing this with the parallel place, ,16, or to worship me by, as it is apparent that the Israelites afterwards did intend to worship Jehovah in the golden calf, and therefore Aaron calls the feast of the calf a feast to Jehovah, , and that with the approbation of the people, whom he then complied with, and durst not resist. Gods, i.e. idols or images, to whom you may give the name and worship of gods, of silver, and consequently not of any other materials, as wood or stone: it is a synecdoche.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
Exodus 20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.Ver. 23. Ye shall not male with me gods.] Say we of such petty deities as that heathen did, Contemno minutulos istos deos, modo Iovem (Iehovam) mihi propitium habeam. I slight them all.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
(23) Ye shall not make with me gods of silver.—The expression “make with me” is unusual, but does not seem to have any peculiar force. Gods of silver and gods of gold are specially forbidden, because it was to idolatry of this kind that the Israelites were specially inclined. The golden calf is no isolated phenomenon. Molten images of gods, generally of silver, sometimes of gold, were objects of worship to Israel throughout the ages which preceded the Captivity. Jeroboam set up molten images at Dan and Bethel (Kings 14:9; 2 Kings 17:16). Baal was worshipped under the semblance of a molten image (2 Chronicles 28:2) as were probably Ashtaroth, Chemosh, and Moloch. The animal worship of the Egyptians had no attractions for the Hebrews; they did not offer to images of stone or marble, like the Assyrians or the Greeks; much less was it their habit to “bow down to stocks,” like so many of the heathen nations around them. The “molten image,” generally completed by a certain amount of graving, was the form of idol which had most charms for them, and the more precious the material the more satisfied were they to worship it. (Comp. Isaiah 30:22; Isaiah 42:17; Jeremiah 10:14; Hosea 13:2, &c.).
Occasionally indeed they overlaid wood or stone with plates of gold or silver, to produce an idol (Habakkuk 2:19); but such images were at once less common and held in less account.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
Verse 23. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver] The expressions here are very remarkable. Before it was said, Ye shall have no other gods BEFORE me, אל פני al panai, Exodus 20:3. Here they are commanded, ye shall not make gods of silver or gold itti WITH me, as emblems or representatives of God, in order, as might be pretended, to keep these displays of his magnificence in memory; on the contrary, he would have only an altar of earth-of plain turf, on which they should offer those sacrifices by which they should commemorate their own guilt and the necessity of an atonement to reconcile themselves to God. See Clarke on Exodus 20:4.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 20:23
23. Cf. Exodus 20:3-4 f.; and in the other codes Exodus 34:17 (J), Leviticus 19:4 (H), Deuteronomy 4:15-18; Deuteronomy 27:15.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 20:23
23. Make with me — As if to place by the side of me as images and representations of my nature. Gods of silver — This is, for substance, a repetition of the second commandment. See notes above, on Exodus 20:4.
Sermons on Exodus 20:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Unreasonableness of Indetermination in Religion by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the unreasonableness of being indecisive in religion, using the example of Elijah challenging the people to choose between the Lord and Baal. He emp |
|
Proverbs 15- God'€™s Will & Our Words by Shane Idleman | This sermon from Proverbs 15 emphasizes the importance of our words and the need to align them with God's will. It highlights the impact of our speech on others, the significance o |
|
Idolatry and the Fear of God by Charles Finney | Charles Finney addresses the issue of idolatry and the fear of God, emphasizing that many people fear the Lord while still serving their own gods, driven by selfish motives rather |
|
|
False Professors by Charles Finney | Charles Finney addresses the issue of false professors in his sermon 'False Professors,' emphasizing that many individuals claim to fear God while actually serving their own idols |
|
Hosea 10:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the issue of a divided heart, illustrating how Israel acknowledged God while simultaneously worshipping Baal, leading to a lack of true devotion and fruitfuln |
|
Capernwray Bible School 1 by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching Jesus Christ as Lord, rather than focusing on oneself. He refers to the context of the Israelites being delivere |
|
The Lamb's Book of Life by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of life as the ultimate criterion and completing factor for humanity. They emphasize that man's disobedience led to the withholdin |