that you not come 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 down yourselves to them;
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 7. Come in, an expression which may denote any familiarity, or marriage. Menochius.—Hebrew is in the form of a prohibition, “Come not among (have no connections with) these nations … Neither mention their gods, nor swear (or cause to swear by them.”) The psalmist (15:4,) says, speaking either of idols, ( Bible.) or of sinners, Nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips. Osee (2:16,) says, She shall call me no more Baali, (“my lord,” a term applied by wives to their husbands) on account of its reminding one of the idol Baal. Hence David calls Jerobaal, or Gedeon, Jeroboschot, 2 Kennicott. 11:21. Saint Paul would not have Christians so much as to name the sins of impurity. Ephes. 5:3. The more religious Jews will not even mention an idol, or an unclean animal; and they beg pardon before they speak of a heretic. Drusius.—Some understand that the worship of idols is meant by naming them, as those who invoke the name of Jesus Christ, were his disciples. Acts 9:14. 1 Timothy 2:15. Exodus 20:24. To swear by idols is always sinful, (Exodus 23:13,) while it is an act of religion to swear on proper occasions, by the name of God. Theophrastus (ap. Joseph. c. Ap. i.) observes, that the laws of the Tyrians prohibit the using of foreign oaths, such as that of the Corban, which was peculiar to the Jews. Calmet.