Deuteronomy 32 17

Deuteronomy 32:17 kjv

They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

Deuteronomy 32:17 nkjv

They sacrificed to demons, not to God, To gods they did not know, To new gods, new arrivals That your fathers did not fear.

Deuteronomy 32:17 niv

They sacrificed to false gods, which are not God? gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your ancestors did not fear.

Deuteronomy 32:17 esv

They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.

Deuteronomy 32:17 nlt

They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God,
to gods they had not known before,
to new gods only recently arrived,
to gods their ancestors had never feared.

Deuteronomy 32 verses

Deuteronomy 32 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 32:17 profoundly declares that the apostate Israelites would offer sacrifices not to the One True God, but to spiritual entities known as demons. These were identified as "gods" they had no prior experience with or historical connection to, novel deities that emerged recently, unlike the ancient God of their covenant. Moreover, these newly adopted entities held no fear or reverence for their forefathers, indicating a radical departure from the established worship of Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 32 17 Context

Deuteronomy 32:17 is embedded within the "Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a profound poetic prophecy delivered by Moses to the Israelites just before his death and their entrance into the Promised Land. The song serves as a divine witness against Israel, foretelling their future apostasy despite God's covenant faithfulness and provision. It vividly contrasts God's paternal care for Israel with their subsequent rebellion, forgetfulness of Him, and pursuit of other deities. Verse 17 specifically details the nature of Israel's defection, moving from Yahweh to spiritual entities and new gods. This segment warns against the corruption of worship and provides a theological rationale for the eventual judgment upon Israel for breaking the covenant. Historically, the Israelites indeed succumbed to the idolatrous practices of the Canaanite nations, worshipping gods like Baal and Asherah, often incorporating practices involving sensuality and even child sacrifice. The song underscores God's singular identity and authority as opposed to the emptiness and maliciousness of the so-called "gods" of the surrounding cultures.

Deuteronomy 32 17 Word analysis

• They sacrificed: Implies a ritualistic act of worship and offering. This is a deliberate, chosen action by the Israelites.
• to demons: Hebrew: שֵׁדִים (shedim). This is a crucial term, indicating malevolent spiritual entities rather than just inert idols. It reveals the dark reality behind idol worship—that pagan deities are often masks for demonic powers. This concept suggests a direct link between idol worship and the spiritual realm of evil. It implies Israel's apostasy went beyond mere superstition to an active engagement with spiritual adversaries.
• not God: Hebrew: אֱלוֹהַּ (Eloah). Refers to the singular, mighty God, Yahweh, emphasizing the clear distinction between the Lord of Israel and the false objects of their worship. It underscores the exclusivity of Yahweh's claim and their direct affront to Him.
• to gods: Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים (elohim). While generically meaning "gods" or even "God" in other contexts, here it clearly refers to false, competing deities. It shows a multiplicity that stands in stark contrast to the singular "Eloah" (God) previously mentioned.
• they had not known: Hebrew: יְדָעוּם (yeda'um). This implies a lack of experiential knowledge or relationship. The true God, Yahweh, had revealed Himself extensively to them through signs, wonders, deliverance, and covenant. These new "gods" were not part of their history, redemption, or shared covenant relationship.
• new gods: Hebrew: חֲדָשִׁים (chadashim). These were recently introduced or adopted deities, possibly reflecting the novelty of Canaanite gods to a people recently delivered from Egypt and their new environment. It also signifies Israel's spiritual fickleness, constantly seeking out novelties in defiance of God's established truth.
• who came lately: Hebrew: מִקָּרֹב (mikkarov). Emphasizes the recency and foreignness of these deities. Unlike the timeless and ancient God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, these gods were modern imports, having no roots in Israel’s heritage or the history of salvation.
• whom your fathers had not dreaded: Hebrew: לֹא יְגֹרוּם אֲבֹתֵיכֶם (lo yegorūm avoteikhem). This is a polemic statement. Their ancestors (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses) did not fear or worship these entities because they served and stood in awe of Yahweh alone. It highlights the departure from ancestral faithfulness and reverence, underlining the historical apostasy.

• "They sacrificed to demons, not God": This phrase encapsulates the core indictment. It's not just idol worship, but worship of actual demonic forces disguised as gods. It underscores the gravity of their sin – a direct rejection of the covenant God for His spiritual enemies.
• "to gods they had not known, new gods who came lately": This emphasizes the arbitrary nature of Israel's apostasy. They forsook a known, loving, covenant God for unknown, newly emerging cults. This highlights the dangers of seeking novelty over faithfulness and abandoning historical truth.
• "whom your fathers had not dreaded": This part connects the present apostasy to a profound rupture with their spiritual heritage. Their faithful ancestors worshipped Yahweh and knew His power, thus fearing only Him. These new "gods" had no power to command dread or respect from those who knew the True God.

Deuteronomy 32 17 Bonus section

The concept of "demons" (shedim) in the Old Testament, though rare, strongly links the worship of foreign deities to actual malevolent spiritual forces. This provides a biblical basis for understanding idolatry not merely as cultural exchange but as spiritual warfare, a theme that gains clarity in the New Testament. The contrast between Yahweh's ancient covenantal relationship and these "new gods" reinforces the theological principle that divine truth is established and enduring, not subject to trendy novelties or fleeting popular worship practices. It challenges believers across all eras to be discerning of what they "dread" or hold in awe, ensuring it is only the one true God and not worldly or spiritual counterfeits.

Deuteronomy 32 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:17 serves as a powerful and chilling prophetic warning concerning Israel's future idolatry. Moses foresees a spiritual degradation where the people would abandon their covenant God, Yahweh, who had chosen, nourished, and brought them into a rich land, turning instead to malevolent spiritual entities and newly imported deities. The term "demons" (shedim) is not merely metaphorical for false gods; it conveys that behind the physical idols and cults were real, adversarial spiritual powers. This insight underscores the seriousness of idolatry, revealing it as an act of communion with darkness rather than simply a misguided ritual. The verse highlights the stark contrast: Yahweh is the eternal, known, and dreadful (awe-inspiring) God of their fathers, while the "new gods" were foreign, recent inventions lacking any legitimate claim to their devotion or fear. This departure from God was illogical, an ungrateful turning away from the source of all blessing towards non-entities who offered nothing but destruction, thus ensuring their future divine judgment.