Revised Standard Version marks this verse as a parenthetical statement because it begins with for (ki), but this is not necessarily so. (Verse 13 also begins with ki.) This verse corresponds to, but is not identical with, 20.3, 5. You shall worship no other god is literally “you [singular] shall not bow down to another god [ʾel].” The word for worship suggests the act of bowing down, so Revised English Bible has “You are not to bow in worship to any other god.”

For the LORD, whose name is Jealous, literally “for Yahweh, jealous his name,” uses the same word for jealous as 20.5, but here it is presented as another name. The word may also mean “envious” or “zealous.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “because the LORD, whose name is Impassioned.” It must be made clear in translation that the adjective is the name. Durham makes this clear: “whose very name is ‘Jealous,’ ” and New Jerusalem Bible has “since Yahweh’s name is the Jealous One.” The same word is then repeated, is a jealous God. And the same word for God is used (ʾel) as in no other god. (See the comment on ʾel at 15.2.) However, if translators have difficulty using a name here, one may also translate the meaning; for example, “I want you to be completely loyal to me,” or “because I, the LORD, tolerate no rivals” (Good News Translation).

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .