Exodus 22:20

20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.[a]

Exodus 22:20 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 “Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
The Message Bible (MSG)
20 "Anyone who sacrifices to a god other than God alone must be put to death.
American Standard Version (ASV)
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto Jehovah only, shall be utterly destroyed.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
20 "Whoever sacrifices to any god except the LORD must be condemned and destroyed.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
20 "Whoever sacrifices to any gods, except the Lord alone, is to be set apart for destruction.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
20 "Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than me must be destroyed.

Exodus 22:20 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:20

He that sacrificeth unto [any] god
To Elohim, to strange gods, to the idols of the people, as the Targum of Jonathan; to the Egyptian deities, to the gods of the Moabites, Amorites, Edomites, Canaanites, Philistines, or any other: Aben Ezra says the word Elohim comprehends angels; and by the exceptive clause it is plain it takes in all that had been, were, or ever would be the objects of idolatrous worship, especially the sun, moon, and stars, the principal objects of worship in those days:

save unto the Lord only;
the true and living God; Jehovah, the self-existent, immutable, and eternal Being; the Creator of all things, the possessor of heaven and earth, the most high God, and the only one: sacrificing takes in all the acts of service performed to an idol as to the true God, as offering incense, pouring out a libation, as well as slaying and burning an animal as Jarchi observes: he shall be utterly destroyed; be accursed, anathematized, devoted to destruction, as the word used signifies: the Targum of Jonathan is,

``he shall be killed with the sword, and his goods consumed,''

not only lose his life but his substance, and so be destroyed in body and estate.

Exodus 22:20 In-Context

18 “Do not allow a sorceress to live.
19 “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death.
20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
21 “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 20:23; Exodus 34:15; Leviticus 17:7; Numbers 25:2; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalms 106:37
  • 2. Leviticus 27:29; Deuteronomy 13:5; Deuteronomy 17:2-5; Deuteronomy 18:20; 1 Kings 18:40; 1 Kings 19:1; 2 Kings 10:25; 2 Kings 23:20; 2 Chronicles 15:13

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.