King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:26 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:26 in the King James Version says “For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: whom he: or, who had not given to them any portion given: Heb. divided”

Deuteronomy 29:26 · KJV

Context

24

Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25

Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

26

For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: whom he: or, who had not given to them any portion given: Heb. divided

27

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

28

And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them (וַיֵּלְכוּ וַיַּעַבְדוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים)—The sequence va-yelkhu va-ya'avdu ("they went and served") indicates deliberate pursuit. Avad ("serve") denotes cultic worship and practical devotion—the verb Israel should reserve for Yahweh alone (Deuteronomy 6:13).

And worshipped them (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ לָהֶם)—Yishtachavu means prostrate oneself, bow down in homage. This compounds the offense: not merely acknowledging foreign gods' existence but rendering them covenant service and worship homage belonging exclusively to Yahweh. These are elohim acherim ("other gods"), violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).

Gods whom they knew not (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יְדָעוּם)—Lo yeda'um ("did not know them") contrasts with knowing Yahweh through covenant relationship. These foreign deities had no history with Israel, performed no mighty acts, made no promises. The phrase whom he had not given unto them (וְלֹא חָלַק לָהֶם) uses chalaq ("allot, assign"), suggesting Yahweh sovereignly assigns nations their deities (Deuteronomy 4:19, 32:8-9), but assigned Israel to himself. Worshiping unassigned gods violates cosmic order.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's idolatry took multiple forms: Egyptian gods during exodus (Ezekiel 20:7-8), golden calf at Sinai (Exodus 32), Moabite Baal-Peor (Numbers 25), and pervasive Canaanite Baal/Asherah worship after settlement (Judges-Kings period). The phrase 'gods whom they knew not' emphasizes these deities' foreignness—not ancestral gods but imported cults. Solomon's foreign wives introduced their gods (1 Kings 11:1-8); Ahab institutionalized Baal worship (1 Kings 16:31-33). By Jeremiah's time, Jerusalem had altars to foreign gods on every street corner (Jeremiah 11:13). This systematic idolatry triggered the exile covenant curse.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'other gods' (wealth, success, relationships) might we be serving alongside or instead of Christ?
  2. How does covenant relationship with God through Christ exclude syncretistic worship of other 'lords'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֵּֽלְכ֗וּ1 of 13
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיַּֽעַבְדוּ֙2 of 13

“and served”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֱלֹהִים֙3 of 13

“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

אֲחֵרִ֔ים4 of 13

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ5 of 13

“and worshipped”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

לָהֶ֑ם6 of 13
H0
אֱלֹהִים֙7 of 13

“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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 13
H834

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

לֹֽא9 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדָע֔וּם10 of 13

“whom they knew”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְלֹ֥א11 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

חָלַ֖ק12 of 13

“not and whom he had not given”

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

לָהֶֽם׃13 of 13
H0

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 29:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 29:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 5:8Jeremiah 44:2-62 Chronicles 36:12-17Jeremiah 19:3-13Deuteronomy 28:64Judges 2:12-13

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