King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:19 Mean?

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. divided: or, imparted

Context

17

The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

18

The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. divided: or, imparted

20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

21

Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **The sun, and the moon, and the stars.**—The purest worship of antiquity—that which we find among the Persians—hardly escaped this snare. **Which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations.**—The heavenly bodies could never be regarded as special protectors of any *one *nation. But Jehovah was pledged to be the God of Israel. This appears to be the argument of Deuteronomy 4:19-20.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 4:19 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 4:19

Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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