King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 13:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 13:7 in the King James Version says “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 t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

5

And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. to turn: Heb. revolt against the LORD

6

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

7

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;

8

Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

9

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Read Deuteronomy 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The gods mentioned are 'which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers...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.' These are foreign deities—Egyptian, Canaanite, Mesopotamian, or distant. The phrase 'thou hast not known' contrasts with knowing Yahweh through covenant experience. These gods have no saving history with Israel, no demonstrated faithfulness, no covenant promises. Following them abandons experienced grace for unknown speculation. The geographic scope ('one end of the earth to the other') shows this applies to any false god, regardless of origin. All idolatry is forbidden, whether culturally familiar or exotic.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel contacted many foreign religions: Egyptian (during bondage), Midianite (through Moses's father-in-law), Moabite (Balaam episode, Numbers 25), Canaanite (post-conquest), Phoenician (through trade/marriage), Assyrian/Babylonian (through conquest). Each brought temptation. The appeal often lay in novelty or pragmatic benefits (fertility cults promised agricultural prosperity). But covenant faithfulness requires rejecting all alternatives. Paul warns: 'Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers' (2 Corinthians 6:14), applying this principle to relationships that might compromise faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern religious or ideological systems present themselves as attractive alternatives to biblical Christianity?
  2. How does remembering God's past faithfulness protect against enticement by novel spiritualities?
  3. Why are 'new' religious ideas often more attractive than 'old' established truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
מֵֽאֱלֹהֵ֣י1 of 14

“Namely of the gods”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הָֽעַמִּ֗ים2 of 14

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר֙3 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

סְבִיבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם4 of 14

“which are round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

הַקְּרֹבִ֣ים5 of 14

“you nigh”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ6 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

א֖וֹ7 of 14
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

הָֽרְחֹקִ֣ים8 of 14

“unto thee or far off”

H7350

remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition)

מִמֶּ֑ךָּ9 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

קְצֵ֥ה10 of 14

“even unto the other end”

H7097

an extremity

הָאָֽרֶץ׃11 of 14

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְעַד12 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

קְצֵ֥ה13 of 14

“even unto the other end”

H7097

an extremity

הָאָֽרֶץ׃14 of 14

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 13:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 13 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes