Exodus 23:24

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

Cross-reference

Exodus 32:20 shows Moses destroying the golden calf—a direct act of obeying this command to overthrow their images.

Exodus 34:13 repeats the command to destroy altars, images, and groves—a parallel instruction.

Exodus 34:14 commands worship of no other god because God is jealous—reinforcing the prohibition here.

Exodus 20:5 Allusion

Exodus 20:5 gives the second commandment against bowing to other gods, directly echoed in Exodus 23:24.

Ezekiel 16:47 says Israel was corrupted more than the nations—contrasting with the command to not do after their works.

Psalm 106:35–38 Historical context

Psalm 106:35-38 recounts Israel mingling with nations, learning their works, and sacrificing to idols—a clear example of disobeying this command.

2 Chronicles 34:3–7 Historical context

2 Chronicles 34:3-7 records Josiah's reforms, literally fulfilling the command to destroy altars and pillars as part of national revival.

2 Chronicles 33:9 shows Manasseh leading Judah to do more evil than the nations—a direct violation of this command to not follow their works.

2 Chronicles 33:2 describes Manasseh doing the abominations of the nations, directly contravening the command.

Deuteronomy 12:31 specifies the abominable practices, including child sacrifice, explaining why not to imitate them.

Deuteronomy 12:30 warns against inquiring after the gods of the destroyed nations, similar to not doing their works.

Deuteronomy 12:3 gives a detailed parallel command to tear down altars and dash pillars, directly echoing the destruction required in Exodus.

Deuteronomy 7:25 adds to the destruction command a warning not to covet the silver or gold on idols—parallel with additional detail.

Deuteronomy 7:5 commands destroying altars, images, groves, and burning graven images—a parallel reiteration.

Numbers 33:52 echoes the command to destroy pictures, molten images, and high places—parallel to breaking down images.

Leviticus 18:26-30 elaborates on the abominations of the Canaanites and the consequence of being vomited out.

Leviticus 18:3 prohibits following Canaanite practices, reinforcing the same warning against doing their works.

Deuteronomy 12:2 specifies destroying the places of worship on high mountains, hills, and trees, expanding the geographic scope of the command.

2 Kings 23:14 Prophetic fulfillment

2 Kings 23:14 records Josiah breaking pillars and Asherim, directly obeying the Exodus command as part of his reforms.

2 Chronicles 31:1 describes Hezekiah’s people destroying pillars and altars throughout Judah, fulfilling the command to overthrow pagan worship sites.

Leviticus 26:1 prohibits making idols and pillars, complementing the command to destroy others' idols by forbidding their creation.

In 2 Chronicles 34:4, King Josiah fulfills this command by tearing down altars and smashing idols during his reforms.

Deuteronomy 13:15 prescribes destroying an apostate city, applying the same principle of total removal of idolatry to a community context.

Numbers 25:2 shows the consequence of ignoring the command: Israel bowed to Moabite gods, contrasting obedience with disastrous failure.

Deuteronomy 7:26 extends the command by prohibiting bringing abominable things into the house, reinforcing total separation from pagan objects.