Exodus 23:33 Study Bible: They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."

◄ Exodus 23:33 ►

They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."

Study Bible

They shall not dwell in your land
This phrase is a direct command from God to the Israelites concerning the inhabitants of the Promised Land. The Hebrew word for "dwell" is "yashab," which implies a settled, permanent residence. God is instructing the Israelites to ensure that the pagan nations do not establish a permanent presence among them. Historically, this command underscores the importance of maintaining the purity of worship and culture as the Israelites enter a land filled with idolatrous practices. The command is not merely about physical presence but about the influence that these nations could exert on the Israelites' faith and obedience to God.

lest they cause you to sin against Me
The phrase highlights the potential spiritual danger posed by the inhabitants of the land. The Hebrew word for "sin" is "chata," which means to miss the mark or to fall short of God's standards. The warning is clear: the presence of these nations could lead the Israelites away from their covenant relationship with God. This reflects a broader biblical principle that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). The historical context reveals that the Canaanite practices were deeply entrenched in idolatry and immorality, which could easily lead the Israelites astray.

For if you serve their gods
Here, the focus is on the act of serving, which in Hebrew is "abad," meaning to work or worship. The warning is against the Israelites adopting the religious practices of the Canaanites. Serving other gods would be a direct violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). The historical context shows that the Canaanite religion was polytheistic and involved practices that were abominable to the Lord, such as child sacrifice and temple prostitution. This phrase serves as a reminder of the exclusive worship that God demands from His people.

it will surely be a snare to you
The word "snare" in Hebrew is "moqesh," which refers to a trap or a stumbling block. This metaphor indicates that serving other gods would entrap the Israelites, leading them into spiritual bondage and away from the freedom found in serving the one true God. The historical and archaeological context reveals that the Israelites often struggled with idolatry, as evidenced by the recurring theme of apostasy throughout the Old Testament. This phrase serves as a prophetic warning of the consequences of disobedience, emphasizing the need for vigilance and faithfulness to God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in the Promised Land.

2. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

3. The Canaanites and Other Inhabitants
The existing peoples in the Promised Land, whose practices and gods were contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

4. Yahweh (God)
The one true God who commands the Israelites to remain faithful to Him and avoid idolatry.

5. Idolatry
The worship of false gods, which is a central concern in this passage as it leads to sin and separation from God.

Teaching Points

Avoiding Spiritual Compromise
Just as the Israelites were warned against allowing pagan influences to remain, Christians today must guard against influences that lead away from God.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. We must identify and remove these snares.

Faithfulness to God
The call to serve God alone is timeless. Our commitment to God should be unwavering, reflecting His holiness in our lives.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commands is crucial for maintaining a relationship with Him. Disobedience leads to spiritual snares and separation from God.

Community and Influence
The community we surround ourselves with can influence our spiritual walk. We must choose relationships that encourage and strengthen our faith.

Bible Study Questions

1. What are some modern-day "gods" or idols that can become snares in our lives, and how can we guard against them?

2. How does the command to drive out the inhabitants of the land relate to the New Testament teaching on being in the world but not of it?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our community and relationships are encouraging us in our walk with God?

4. How can we apply the principle of faithfulness to God in our daily decision-making and priorities?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a spiritual compromise. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:1-5
This passage reiterates the command to drive out the inhabitants of the land to avoid idolatry, emphasizing the need for purity and devotion to God.

Joshua 23:12-13
Joshua warns the Israelites that associating with the remaining nations will become a snare and a trap, echoing the warning in Exodus 23:33.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Paul advises believers to avoid being unequally yoked with unbelievers, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament warnings against idolatry and spiritual compromise.

Sermons

Promises and Warnings	J. Orr	Exodus 23:20-33
The Mediatorial Guide	H.T. Robjohns	Exodus 23:20-33
The Prospect in the Promised Land	D. Young	Exodus 23:24-33
Associating with the Ungodly	Union Magazine	Exodus 23:31-33
Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Exodus 23:31-33
The Snare of Worldliness	Newton's Letters to a Nobleman.	Exodus 23:31-33

People

Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Jebusites, Moses, Perizzites

Places

Euphrates River, Mount Sinai, Red Sea, Sea of the Philistines

Topics

Becometh, Cause, Certainly, Dwell, Evil, Gods, Lest, Serve, Servest, Sin, Snare, Sure, Surely, Wilt, Worship

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 23:33

5589 trap
6022 sin, causes of

Exodus 23:32-33

1346 covenants, nature of
5541 society, negative

Library

The Feast of Ingathering in the End of the Year
'And the feast of harvest, the first-fruits of thy labours, which them hast sown In thy field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.' --EXODUS xxiii. 16. The Israelites seem to have had a double beginning of the year--one in spring, one at the close of harvest; or it may only be that here the year is regarded from the natural point of view--a farmer's year. This feast was at the gathering in of the fruits, which was …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Wesley Clothes French Prisoners
Monday, October 1 (Bristol).--All my leisure time, during my stay at Bristol, I employed in finishing the fourth volume of "Discourses"; probably the last which I shall publish. Monday, 15--l walked up to Knowle, a mile from Bristol, to see the French prisoners. About eleven hundred of them, we are informed, were confined in that little place, without anything to lie on but a little dirty straw, or anything to cover them but a few foul thin rags, either by day or night, so that they died like rotten …
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Wonderful.
Isaiah ix:6. HIS name shall be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah ix:6). And long before Isaiah had uttered this divine prediction the angel of the Lord had announced his name to be Wonderful. As such He appeared to Manoah. And Manoah said unto the angel of Jehovah, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honor. And the angel of Jehovah said unto Him "why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is Wonderful" (margin, Judges xiii:17-18). This angel of Jehovah, the Person who …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Lord's Prayer.
(Jerusalem. Thursday Night.) ^D John XVII. ^d 1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven [the action marked the turning of his thoughts from the disciples to the Father], he said, Father, the hour is come [see pp. 116, 440]; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. [The Son here prays for his glorification, viz.: resurrection, ascension, coronation, etc., …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Parable of the Good Samaritan.
(Probably Judæa.) ^C Luke X. 25-37. ^c 25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [For the term lawyer see pp. 313, 314, The lawyer wished to make trial of the skill of Jesus in solving the intricate and difficult question as to how to obtain salvation. Jesus was probably teaching in some house or courtyard, and his habit of giving local color to his parables suggests that he was probably in or near Bethany, through …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Appendix viii. Rabbinic Traditions About Elijah, the Forerunner of the Messiah
To complete the evidence, presented in the text, as to the essential difference between the teaching of the ancient Synagogue about the Forerunner of the Messiah' and the history and mission of John the Baptist, as described in the New Testaments, we subjoin a full, though condensed, account of the earlier Rabbinic traditions about Elijah. Opinions differ as to the descent and birthplace of Elijah. According to some, he was from the land of Gilead (Bemid. R. 14), and of the tribe of Gad (Tanch. on …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is Neighbour to Us: the First, Concerning the Love That, Unasked, Gives in Our
THE period between Christ's return from the Feast of the Dedication' and His last entry into Jerusalem, may be arranged into two parts, divided by the brief visit to Bethany for the purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead. Even if it were possible, with any certainty, chronologically to arrange the events of each of these periods, the variety and briefness of what is recorded would prevent our closely following them in this narrative. Accordingly, we prefer grouping them together as the Parables …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Love in the Old Covenant.
"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another."-- John xiii. 34. In connection with the Holy Spirit's work of shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts, the question arises: What is the meaning of Christ's word, "A new commandment I give unto you"? How can He designate this natural injunction, "To love one another," a new commandment? This offers no difficulty to those who entertain the erroneous view that during His ministry on earth Christ established a new and higher religion, …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Exhortations to those who are Called
IF, after searching you find that you are effectually called, I have three exhortations to you. 1. Admire and adore God's free grace in calling you -- that God should pass over so many, that He should pass by the wise and noble, and that the lot of free grace should fall upon you! That He should take you out of a state of vassalage, from grinding the devil's mill, and should set you above the princes of the earth, and call you to inherit the throne of glory! Fall upon your knees, break forth into …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles.
(October, a.d. 29.) ^D John VII. 11-52. ^d 11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? [It was now eighteen months since Jesus had visited Jerusalem, at which time he had healed the impotent man at Bethesda. His fame and prolonged obscurity made his enemies anxious for him to again expose himself in their midst. John here used the word "Jews" as a designation for the Jerusalemites, who, as enemies of Christ, were to be distinguished from the multitudes who were in doubt …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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