Discovery BoxExodus 23:13-14 
Context23:13 “Pay attention to do 1 everything I have told you, and do not even mention 2 the names of other gods – do not let them be heard on your lips. 3
23:14 “Three times 4 in the year you must make a pilgrim feast 5 to me.
Exodus 23:32-33
Context23:32 “You must make no covenant with them or with their gods. 23:33 They must not live in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare 6 to you.”
1 tn The phrase “to do” is added; in Hebrew word order the line says, “In all that I have said to you you will watch yourselves.” The verb for paying attention is a Niphal imperfect with an imperatival force.
2 tn Or “honor,” Hiphil of זָכַר (zakhar). See also Exod 20:25; Josh 23:7; Isa 26:13.
3 tn Heb “mouth.”
sn See also Ps 16:4, where David affirms his loyalty to God with this expression.
4 tn The expression rendered “three times” is really “three feet,” or “three foot-beats.” The expression occurs only a few times in the Law. The expressing is an adverbial accusative.
5 tn This is the word תָּחֹג (takhog) from the root חָגַג (khagag); it describes a feast that was accompanied by a pilgrimage. It was first used by Moses in his appeal that Israel go three days into the desert to hold such a feast.
6 tn The idea of the “snare” is to lure them to judgment; God is apparently warning about contact with the Canaanites, either in worship or in business. They were very syncretistic, and so it would be dangerous to settle among them.
