Exodus 34:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.

NIV: Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you.

NASB: Be careful that you do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst.

CSB: Be careful not to make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land that you are going to enter; otherwise, they will become a snare among you.

NLT: Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped.

KJV: Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

NKJV: Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst.

Exodus 34:10–28 is God's renewed declaration of covenant laws for Israel. The Lord includes more details on specific aspects of the Law this time. This added detail is a direct response to Israel's recent sin of idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). God especially emphasizes idolatry, consecration of the firstborn, and observing the Sabbath. Moses stays on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights hearing from the Lord.

Moses obeys God's command to bring new stone tablets (Exodus 32:19) onto Mount Sinai. There, God fulfills His earlier promise to reveal more of His glory to Moses (Exodus 33:18–23). The Lord renews the covenant with Israel and gives additional details on subjects such as idolatry, the Sabbath, and certain festivals. When Moses returns, the people are intimidated by his now-shining face.

Israel quickly broke God's laws (Exodus 20:3–6) by committing idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). This caused a rift between them and God. One consequence was a removal of God's direct presence (Exodus 33:1–3). In this chapter, the covenant is renewed. The remaining chapters (Exodus 35—40) mirror the instructions for building the tabernacle (Exodus 25—31).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 9/18/2025 7:13:08 AM