ReformedChristian
Puritan Board Freshman
When discussing with those of other faith’s there are some Christians who will often use Exodus 23:13 to show we are not allowed to name or call out other gods/deities that men worship. The Scripture reads:
Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
At first glance of this text it would seem to indicate we are not to speak on or address other deities, but we must compare Scripture with Scripture. In fact we find many places in Scripture where the prophets often rebuke the gods of the pagan nations. Here are some examples:
Adrammelech, Anammelech, Ashima
2nd Kings 17:30–31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites eburnt their children in fire to fAdrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
Ashtoreth
1st Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
Baal
Judges 2:13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
Chiun
Amos 5:26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.”
Having established that Scripture is replete with examples in the mention of other so called gods/deities. What is the meaning of Exodus 23:13? The context is not simply mentioning of their names, but rather its tied to their worship:
Psalm 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take up their names into my lips.
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
Joshua 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”
Jeremiah 8:2 “And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.”
Therefore in having examined the Scriptures, we see the mention of other gods are tied to honoring and worshipping them, not simply referencing their name.
Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”
At first glance of this text it would seem to indicate we are not to speak on or address other deities, but we must compare Scripture with Scripture. In fact we find many places in Scripture where the prophets often rebuke the gods of the pagan nations. Here are some examples:
Adrammelech, Anammelech, Ashima
2nd Kings 17:30–31 And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites eburnt their children in fire to fAdrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
Ashtoreth
1st Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
Baal
Judges 2:13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
Chiun
Amos 5:26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.”
Having established that Scripture is replete with examples in the mention of other so called gods/deities. What is the meaning of Exodus 23:13? The context is not simply mentioning of their names, but rather its tied to their worship:
Psalm 16:4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god:Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, Nor take up their names into my lips.
Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”
Joshua 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Micah 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”
Jeremiah 8:2 “And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth.”
Therefore in having examined the Scriptures, we see the mention of other gods are tied to honoring and worshipping them, not simply referencing their name.
