Deuteronomy 13 17

Deuteronomy 13:17 kjv

And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

Deuteronomy 13:17 nkjv

So none of the accursed things shall remain in your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger and show you mercy, have compassion on you and multiply you, just as He swore to your fathers,

Deuteronomy 13:17 niv

and none of the condemned things are to be found in your hands. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you. He will increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your ancestors?

Deuteronomy 13:17 esv

None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he swore to your fathers,

Deuteronomy 13:17 nlt

Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a large nation, just as he swore to your ancestors.

Deuteronomy 13 verses

Deuteronomy 13 17 Meaning

This verse mandates that nothing from a city devoted to destruction for idolatry (cherem) should be taken or appropriated by an Israelite. The purpose of this strict command is so that the Lord may turn from the intensity of His anger against Israel, and instead extend mercy, compassion, and the fulfillment of His promise to multiply them, as sworn to their patriarchs. It connects obedience to this severe cleansing act with the restoration of divine favor and blessing.

Deuteronomy 13 17 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 13 outlines severe warnings against enticement to idolatry. It presents hypothetical scenarios involving false prophets, dreamers, and even close family members or friends who might secretly or overtly propose following other gods. The climax of this chapter addresses the specific case of an entire city within Israel turning to idolatry, labeling it an "apostate city" (ir ha-nidachath). Such a city was to be entirely devoted to destruction (cherem). Verse 17 directly follows the command in verses 15-16 to utterly destroy the city, its inhabitants, and its spoil by fire, ensuring no remnant is left for personal gain. The historical context emphasizes Israel's precarious position as a unique covenant people, surrounded by pagan nations. Absolute purity from idolatry was paramount to maintaining their special relationship with Yahweh and fulfilling their role as a holy nation, setting them apart from the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. The command serves as a polemic against the syncretistic practices of the surrounding cultures and ensures Yahweh's exclusive worship.

Deuteronomy 13 17 Word analysis

• And there shall cleave nothing: The Hebrew word for "cleave" is dāḇaq (דָּבַק), which denotes a strong attachment or sticking fast. It is used in Gen 2:24 for a man "cleaving" to his wife. Here, it implies not only physical non-appropriation but also no lasting spiritual or moral attachment, affinity, or benefit derived from the condemned city. It emphasizes a complete disassociation, not just avoiding ownership.

• of the cursed thing: The phrase "cursed thing" translates the Hebrew haḥērem (הַחֵרֶם), which means "the devoted thing" or "that which is under a ban." Cherem in this context refers to something specifically set apart, devoted entirely to God, usually for destruction due to its inherent impurity or rebellion against God. It signifies an absolute forfeiture and complete destruction, where anything taken by humans is a violation of divine sacred space or prerogative. It implies it is polluted, and profiting from it would make the profiting party likewise polluted and liable to divine judgment.

• to thine hand: This specifies personal gain or appropriation. The "hand" often represents activity, possession, power, and gain. The instruction means that no material profit or benefit from the cherem city should come into Israelite possession or control.

• that the Lord may turn from: This phrase highlights the conditional nature of God's response. The complete obedience to the cherem law is presented as the prerequisite for the cessation of divine wrath.

• the fierceness of his anger: This denotes God's intense, righteous indignation (ḥaron af) against sin, particularly against idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. It implies severe consequences for disobedience and a divine displeasure that brings judgment. This is an anthropomorphism expressing the profound offense that idolatry is to a holy God.

• and shew thee mercy: The Hebrew word raḥam (רָחַם) means to have compassion, to love deeply, often like a parent's affection. This contrasts sharply with "fierceness of anger," demonstrating God's dual attributes—His readiness to show favor when His terms are met.

• and have compassion upon thee: Another word for compassion, ḥanan (חָנַן), indicating grace and graciousness. Both terms for mercy and compassion indicate God's benevolence and favor given freely when conditions are met.

• and multiply thee: The Hebrew rabah (רָבָה) means to be great, numerous, or multiply. This connects to the fundamental promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:2, 22:17, 26:4, 35:11).

• as he hath sworn unto thy fathers: This explicitly references the covenant promises made to the patriarchs, specifically the Abrahamic Covenant's blessing of numerical increase, which is now tied to Israel's faithfulness to the Mosaic Covenant's demands of purity and exclusive worship of Yahweh.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And there shall cleave nothing of the cursed thing to thine hand": This forms a single imperative principle: absolute non-participation and non-profit from anything devoted to God for destruction due to evil. It safeguards the people from contagion, material benefit, or any form of complicity in idolatry, underscoring complete loyalty to Yahweh.
  • "that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger": This states the immediate, negative consequence of failure and the primary, positive result of obedience. Corporate obedience is necessary to avert divine wrath from the entire nation. Idolatry among the people invites widespread judgment.
  • "and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers": This enumerates the positive blessings contingent upon fidelity. God's mercy and compassion, foundational to the covenant relationship, are re-established, and the very first covenant promise—numerical growth—is affirmed as being dependent on Israel's purity in the land.

Deuteronomy 13 17 Bonus section

The concept of cherem (devotion to destruction) for an apostate Israelite city is unique. It's distinct from warfare cherem against Canaanites (like Jericho). The specific command to gather all spoil into the public square and burn it (Deut 13:16) signifies a purging, a purification rite, where the defiled wealth is offered up to God as a fire sacrifice of judgment. This extreme measure underlines the profound spiritual danger of internal idolatry within Israel, threatening the very essence of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their identity as a holy nation. The severity reflects God's zeal for His holiness and His desire for an uncorrupted people through whom His redemptive plan would unfold. The absence of mercy for the idolaters in the city shows the zero-tolerance policy for covenant violation in this particular circumstance, while the subsequent promise of mercy for the nation if they obey highlights God's justice and grace operating in different spheres.

Deuteronomy 13 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 13:17 stands as a severe but crucial safeguard within Israel's covenant. It emphasizes that the judgment against an apostate city, though extreme, is not an opportunity for personal gain, plunder, or enrichment. Rather, the complete devotion of the city and its contents to destruction (the cherem) signifies an absolute cleansing and an act of unwavering loyalty to Yahweh. Any compromise, such as appropriating cherem items, would indicate a partial allegiance, a lack of faith, or an acceptance of defilement that could invite God's "fierceness of anger" upon the entire nation. By strictly adhering to this command, Israel demonstrates its purity and single-minded devotion, prompting God to extend His promised mercy, compassion, and the blessing of multiplication. It underscores the corporate nature of sin and righteousness in Israel under the Mosaic Covenant; the nation's spiritual well-being hinged on the individual and collective obedience of its members to the severe commands regarding idolatry. For us, while the cherem applies in a new covenant way (e.g., separating from sin, fleeing idolatry in our hearts and lives), the principle remains: true devotion to God requires rejecting all that competes with Him and separating from that which He deems corrupt, trusting that His favor and blessing follow obedience and purity.