Deuteronomy 13:7 kjv
Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
Deuteronomy 13:7 nkjv
of the gods of the people which are all around you, near to you or far off from you, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth,
Deuteronomy 13:7 niv
gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other),
Deuteronomy 13:7 esv
some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other,
Deuteronomy 13:7 nlt
They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth.
Deuteronomy 13 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 13:6 | "If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your friend who is as your own soul, entices you secretly..." | Personal temptation's proximity |
| Deut 13:8-11 | "...you shall not yield to him or listen to him... you shall stone him." | Severity of judgment for idol incitement |
| Deut 4:19-20 | "And beware lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars... and worship them..." | Warning against cosmic idolatry |
| Deut 11:28 | "...a curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods..." | Consequences of turning to other gods |
| Deut 18:20 | "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak... that prophet shall die." | Penalty for false prophecy, similar to idolatry |
| Exo 34:15-16 | "Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they play the harlot after their gods... they entice you..." | Danger of covenant with idolaters |
| Lev 18:3 | "You shall not do according to the practices of the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do according to the practices of the land of Canaan..." | Rejection of pagan practices and customs |
| Num 33:55 | "But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as pricks in your eyes..." | Perils of tolerating idolatrous neighbors |
| Jos 23:7-8 | "...do not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods..." | Strict separation from surrounding nations |
| Jdg 2:10-13 | "And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals... they abandoned the Lord..." | Israel's repeated fall into idolatry |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." | Equating rebellion with idolatry |
| Jer 10:2-3 | "Thus says the Lord: Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them." | Avoidance of foreign idolatrous practices |
| Psa 115:4-8 | "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak..." | The worthlessness of idols compared to God |
| Isa 44:9-20 | "All who fashion idols are nothing... No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment..." | Scathing indictment of idol making |
| Eze 20:30-32 | "...do you pollute yourselves after the manner of your fathers and go whoring after their detestable things?..." | Following the sinful ways of ancestors |
| Hos 4:17 | "Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone." | Persistent attachment to idolatry |
| Rom 1:21-23 | "...they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images..." | Gentile idolatry stemming from depraved hearts |
| 1 Cor 8:4-6 | "Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.'" | Nature of idols and God's uniqueness |
| 1 Cor 10:14 | "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." | Direct New Testament command to avoid idolatry |
| Col 3:5 | "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." | Idolatry broadened to covetousness |
| Eph 5:5 | "For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance..." | Idolaters excluded from God's kingdom |
| 1 Jn 5:21 | "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." | New Testament warning against various idols |
| Rev 9:20 | "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold..." | Continued idolatry in Revelation's judgments |
Deuteronomy 13 verses
Deuteronomy 13 7 Meaning
Deuteronomy 13:7 emphasizes the universal scope and omnipresent danger of spiritual temptation and idolatry for the people of Israel. It conveys that incitement to abandon Yahweh and follow other gods can originate from anywhere—whether from immediate neighbors or from distant nations across the entire world. This highlights the absolute requirement for Israel's exclusive devotion to God, irrespective of geographical proximity or origin of the pagan influence, asserting that no place or relationship is exempt from the need for vigilant faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 13 7 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 13 focuses entirely on the severity of testing and punishment for those who promote idolatry within Israel. Verses 1-5 warn against false prophets who lead people away from Yahweh, specifying that they must be put to death. Verse 6 introduces the even more challenging scenario where a close relative or friend attempts to entice someone into idolatry. Verse 7, then, extends this warning geographically, establishing that the threat is not confined to Israel's immediate surroundings but can originate from any direction, no matter how near or far. This whole chapter emphasizes the purity of Israel's monotheistic faith and the absolute zero-tolerance policy against any form of polytheism or syncretism that might erode their exclusive covenant with the Lord. Historically, Israel was on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land saturated with diverse pagan religious practices and polytheistic worship of numerous regional deities. Moses, speaking on behalf of God, forewarned Israel against both internal and external temptations to idolatry.
Deuteronomy 13 7 Word analysis
from among the peoples:
min ha'ammim(מִן הָעַמִּים)- from among: (
min) Emphasizes the source or origin of the temptation, indicating it arises from within the sphere of human interaction and foreign influence. - the peoples: (
ha'ammim) Refers specifically to the non-Israelite nations or tribes. These are the Gentiles, who were known for their polytheistic religions, distinct from Israel's monotheistic worship of Yahweh. The term underscores the inherent pagan nature of these surrounding groups.
- from among: (
who are around you:
asher sevivotekha(אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבוֹתֶיךָ)- Signifies geographical and cultural proximity. These are the immediate neighbors, like the Canaanites, Amorites, and other indigenous groups whose idolatrous practices would be highly visible and pervasive. It warns against assimilating into the dominant pagan cultures surrounding them.
whether near you or far off from you:
haqrovim eleikha o harechoqim mimmenekha(הַקְּרֹבִים אֵלֶיךָ אוֹ הָרְחֹקִים מִמֶּךָ)- near you: (
haqrovim) Refers to those immediately adjacent or in direct contact. - far off from you: (
harechoqim) Extends the scope to more distant nations, accessible through trade routes, military encounters, or general reports. - This phrase emphasizes that no geographical distance provides a safeguard against idolatrous influences. The danger is omnipresent and omnidirectional. It signifies that any belief system or practice outside of God's direct command, regardless of its origin, poses a threat.
- near you: (
from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth:
miqtseh ha'arets ve'ad qitseh ha'arets(מִקְצֵה הָאָרֶץ וְעַד קְצֵה הָאָרֶץ)- end of the earth: (
qeṣeh ha'areṣ) A common biblical hyperbole or merism, signifying totality and universality. - This hyperbolic expression signifies that the danger of enticement to idolatry is absolute and encompasses every conceivable location and culture on earth. It underlines the exclusive claim God has on Israel's worship, transcending any territorial or cultural boundaries. It leaves no room for partial adherence or regional exceptions. This warning also reflects a divine understanding that foreign gods and cults were not isolated but part of widespread pantheons that could be introduced from any corner of the known world.
- end of the earth: (
Deuteronomy 13 7 Bonus section
The repetitive nature of geographical expressions ("around you," "near you," "far off," "one end...to the other") intensifies the warning, leaving no ambiguity about the comprehensive reach of potential spiritual corruption. This also sets the stage for future interactions between Israel and the broader world, indicating that their fidelity to God would always be tested, not just upon entering Canaan but throughout their history. The verse implies that the appeal of other gods is global, pervasive, and potentially attractive, whether for political alliances, economic gain, or simply through cultural exchange. This divine foresight anticipated Israel's consistent struggle with external paganism throughout the periods of Judges, Kings, and even their exile. It also serves as a polemic against any notion of local or national gods, asserting the sole and universal sovereignty of Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 13 7 Commentary
Deuteronomy 13:7 functions as a critical declaration of the boundless scope from which spiritual danger can arise. Following the severe warning against intimate seducers to idolatry (Deut 13:6), this verse widens the net to include any and all external pagan influences. It communicates that temptation to turn away from the One True God is not confined to visible, proximate dangers or familiar faces but can emanate from distant cultures or subtle, foreign practices. This underscores God's demand for total and undivided loyalty, recognizing that the purity of Israel's faith could be compromised by doctrines or gods from anywhere on Earth. The pervasive nature of the threat necessitated an equally absolute response—unwavering commitment to Yahweh and rejection of all forms of idolatry, regardless of their origin or perceived harmlessness. This command serves to reinforce the distinctiveness of Israel's covenant identity amidst a world steeped in polytheism, warning against syncretism at any level.