Exodus 22:20

With the Hebrew beneath

Exodus 22:20, word by word

Whoever sacrificesזֹבֵחַzoveach

sacrifice

To kill an animal as a gift to God or other gods.

Where else “zoveach” appears

to godsאֱלֹהִיםelohim

gods

The gods of other peoples.

Where else “elohim” appears

to YHWHיהוָהyhva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yhva” appears

aloneבַדּvad

alone

One thing alone, set apart from the rest; also the expression 'besides'.

Where else “vad” appears

shall be devoted to destructionיָחֳרָםyachoram

devote to destruction

To give something wholly to YHWH, often by destroying it.

Where else “yachoram” appears

Translation note

“Devoted to destruction”: handed over completely to YHWH, without anyone being able to keep it or ransom it (Leviticus 27:28-29).

The context