Exodus 23 in the early church

150 passages quote, allude to, or echo Exodus 23, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 26 · 28 · 30 · 31

Exodus 23:1

“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:1The Instructor 2.7.57 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Exod 23:1Homilies on Exodus 3.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 23:1Commentary on Matthew 13.6 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 246–248
Exod 23:1Defence before Constantius 20 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 353–357
Exod 23:1–3On Saint Athanasius 1.3 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 23:1Letter 24 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 357–378
Exod 23:1–2Apostolic Constitutions 2.49.5 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:1Explanation of Twelve Psalms 37.46.3 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Exod 23:1–5Exodus, lines 938–962 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Exod 23:1–2Letter 3, chapter 5 · Zosimus, bishop of Romequotation, high confidence417–418

Exodus 23:2

You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:2The Instructor 3.4.27 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200

Exodus 23:3

And do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:3Apostolic Constitutions 2.5.2 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:3Apostolic Constitutions 2.41.9 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidenceca. 380

Exodus 23:4

If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:4Miscellanies 2.18.87 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:4Miscellanies 2.18.90 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:4Canonical Epistle, canon 4 · Gregory Thaumaturgusquotation, high confidenceca. 254–264
Exod 23:4–5Oration 14.28 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 23:4On the Duties of the Clergy 3.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386–390
Exod 23:4–5Part 2, chapter 1 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 23:5

If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:5Miscellanies 2.18.90 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:5Martyrdom of Pionius and Companions 4 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence250 (the text may be later)
Exod 23:5On the Holy Spirit 30.78 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 374–375
Exod 23:5Exposition of Psalm 118 10.42.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 23:5Homilies on Matthew 15.9 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390
Exod 23:5Tractates on Matthew 12.1 · Chromatius of Aquileiaquotation, high confidenceca. 388–407

Exodus 23:6

You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:6To Autolycus 3.9 · Theophilus of Antiochquotation, high confidenceca. 180–185
Exod 23:6–8On Saint Athanasius 1.3 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 23:6–18Exodus, lines 963–987 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Exodus 23:7

Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:7To Autolycus 3.9 · Theophilus of Antiochquotation, high confidenceca. 180–185
Exod 23:7Against Heresies 4.26.3 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 23:71.29 · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 202-204
Exod 23:7Letter to Origen 1 · Julius Africanusquotation, high confidenceca. 220–245
Exod 23:7Letter to Africanus 17 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245
Exod 23:7To Quirinus 2.14 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Exod 23:7On Saint Athanasius 2.10 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 23:7On Saint Athanasius 2.32 · Lucifer of Cagliariallusion, medium confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 23:7–8Apostolic Constitutions 2.9.2 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:7Apostolic Constitutions 2.37.4 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:7–8Apostolic Constitutions 2.42.1 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:7Altercatio, chapter 2, speech 47 · Evagrius of Gaulquotation, high confidenceca. 400
Exod 23:7Letter 204.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Exod 23:7The Conferences 17.19 · John Cassianquotation, high confidenceca. 426–429

Exodus 23:8

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:8To Autolycus 3.9 · Theophilus of Antiochquotation, high confidenceca. 180–185
Exod 23:8The Instructor 3.12.91 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 190–200
Exod 23:8Instructions 1.31 · Commodianallusion, medium confidence3rd century (disputed)
Exod 23:8Preparation for the Gospel 8.8.42 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 23:8Commentary on 2 Corinthians 8:5 · Ambrosiasterallusion, medium confidenceca. 366–384

Exodus 23:9

Do not oppress a foreign resident, since you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:9To Autolycus 3.10 · Theophilus of Antiochquotation, high confidenceca. 180–185

Exodus 23:10

For six years you are to sow your land and gather its produce,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:10Miscellanies 2.18.86 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:10Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:10–12Demonstration 13.9 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 23:10–11Demonstration 20.2 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 23:10–11Tractates on the Psalms 118.2.11 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:10–11Tractates on the Psalms 118.5.6 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:10–11Tractates on the Psalms 118.20.6 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:10–11Tractates on the Psalms 118.21.4 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:10–11Part 2, chapter 1 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Exodus 23:11

but in the seventh year you must let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor among your people may eat from the field and the wild animals may consume what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and olive grove.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:11Miscellanies 2.18.86 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:11Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXIII · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, medium confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Exod 23:11Against Marcion 2.17 · Tertullianallusion, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 23:11Fragments on Proverbs, column 209 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:11Preparation for the Gospel 8.7.15 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Exod 23:11Tractates on the Psalms 118.4.5 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:11Exposition of Psalm 118 5.10.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397

Exodus 23:12

For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:12Demonstration 13.1 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345

Exodus 23:13

Pay close attention to everything I have said to you. You must not invoke the names of other gods; they must not be heard on your lips.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:13On Idolatry 10 · Tertullianallusion, high confidenceca. 196–211
Exod 23:13On Idolatry 20 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 196–211
Exod 23:13Exhortation to Martyrdom 5 · Origenquotation, high confidence235
Exod 23:13Homilies on Jeremiah 20.8 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Exod 23:13Against Celsus 5.46 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Exod 23:13Homilies 16.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Exod 23:13Homilies 16.8 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence4th century (reworking earlier material)
Exod 23:13Recognitions 2.44 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Exod 23:13Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 19.6.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence374-377
Exod 23:13Apostolic Constitutions 6.20.9 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 380

Exodus 23:14

Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:14On Elkanah and Hannah, fragment 4 · Hippolytus of Romeecho, low confidenceca. 200–235
Exod 23:14Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 293 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:14–17Fragment 30 on John 2:13 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 226-254
Exod 23:14–17Question 46, section 10 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Exod 23:14–17On the Twelve Stones 13 (Adamant) · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence394

Exodus 23:15

You are to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread as I commanded you: At the appointed time in the month of Abib you are to eat unleavened bread for seven days, because that was the month you came out of Egypt. No one may appear before Me empty-handed.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:15Against Heresies 4.18.1 · Irenaeus of Lyonsquotation, high confidenceca. 180–190
Exod 23:15Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 293 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:15Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 295 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:15Homilies on Jeremiah 18.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Exod 23:15Prophetic Extracts 1.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 23:15Oration 19.9 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 23:15Oration 44.8 · Gregory of Nazianzusquotation, high confidenceca. 362–383
Exod 23:15Apostolic Constitutions 2.36.6 · Anonymousquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Exod 23:15Letters 34.7 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 394–413

Exodus 23:16

You are also to keep the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the produce from what you sow in the field. And keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:16Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 293 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:16Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 295 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:16Commentary on Matthew 15.31 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 246–248

Exodus 23:17

Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:17Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 295 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:17PG 12:1637 (Ps 126 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:17On Prayer 20.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Exod 23:17On Prayer 27.16 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Exod 23:17Homily on Luke 14 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–250
Exod 23:17Homilies on Numbers 11.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 23:17Homilies on Jeremiah 18.10 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240
Exod 23:17Commentary on Romans 6.7 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Exod 23:17Demonstration of the Gospel 1.3.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 23:17Exposition of Psalm 118 8.22.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Exod 23:17Exposition of Psalm 118 20.54.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397

Exodus 23:18

You must not offer the blood of My sacrifices with anything leavened, nor may the fat of My feast remain until morning.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:18–24Exodus, lines 988–1011 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Exodus 23:19

Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:19Miscellanies 2.18.94 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 198–203
Exod 23:19Commentary on John 1.13 · Origenecho, low confidenceca. 230–248
Exod 23:19Homilies on Numbers 11.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 23:19On Paradise 27 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 375-378
Exod 23:19Explanation of Twelve Psalms 47.11.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Exod 23:19Sermon 150 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450

Exodus 23:20

Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:20Dialogue with Trypho 75.1 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Exod 23:20–21Against the Jews 9 · Tertullianquotation, high confidenceca. 197–207
Exod 23:20Against Marcion 3.16 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 23:20Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 577 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:20Lines 957–978 · Commodianallusion, medium confidence3rd century (disputed)
Exod 23:20Commentary on Matthew 13.26 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 246–248
Exod 23:20–21To Quirinus 2.5 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Exod 23:20Cib. 1 · Methodius of Olympusallusion, low confidencelate 3rd cent. (disputed)
Exod 23:20Prophetic Extracts 1.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 23:20–21Demonstration of the Gospel 4.17.6 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 23:20–21Demonstration of the Gospel 5.15.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 23:20Oration III Against the Arians 12 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 339–346
Exod 23:20Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 23:20Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.20 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 23:20–21Against Five Heresies 4 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 437-450

Exodus 23:21

Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:21Dialogue with Trypho 75.1 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Exod 23:21Against Marcion 3.16 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Exod 23:21Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 817 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Exod 23:21Prophetic Extracts 1.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Exod 23:21Demonstration of the Gospel 4.17.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Exod 23:21Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.19 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 23:21Against Faustus the Manichaean 16.20 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Exod 23:21Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 142–143 · Anonymousquotation, high confidence5th century (disputed)

Exodus 23:22

But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:22On Pascha 68 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisecho, low confidenceca. 160-180
Exod 23:22Homilies on Psalms 36-38 3.12 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 23:22Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.190 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Exod 23:22On Saint Athanasius 1.3 · Lucifer of Cagliariquotation, high confidenceca. 356–361
Exod 23:22Tractates on the Psalms 118.18.4 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, medium confidenceca. 360–367
Exod 23:22–24Against Adimantus, a Disciple of Mani 17 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 394

Exodus 23:23

For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:23Homilies on Numbers 13.8 · Origenquotation, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Exod 23:23Demonstration 3.14 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 23:23On the Spirit and the Letter 42 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence412

Exodus 23:24

You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:24The Harmony of the Gospels 1.41 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–400
Exod 23:24–33Exodus, lines 1012–1040 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Exodus 23:26

No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:26Demonstration 18.1 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345
Exod 23:26Defence of His Flight 13 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357
Exod 23:26On the Destruction of Jerusalem 3.6 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 370

Exodus 23:28

I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.

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ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:28Oration 45.20 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383

Exodus 23:30

Little by little I will drive them out ahead of you, until you become fruitful and possess the land.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:30On the Spirit and the Letter 1 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidence412

Exodus 23:31

And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Exod 23:31Tractates on the Gospel of John 3.19 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420