King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:19 in the King James Version says “And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the hos... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 4:19 · KJV


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

KJV Study Commentary
The prohibition extends to celestial worship—'sun, moon, and stars.' The phrase 'be driven to worship them' acknowledges idolatry's seductive pull and humanity's natural inclination toward creature worship. These luminaries, 'which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations,' were created to serve humanity (Genesis 1:14-18), not to be worshiped. Astrolatry perverted God's good gifts into false deities. The danger of being 'driven' suggests both external pressure (pagan culture) and internal corruption (sinful nature). Only sovereign grace prevents idolatry's gravitational pull.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern cultures extensively worshiped celestial bodies: Egypt (Ra the sun god, Khonsu the moon god), Mesopotamia (Shamash the sun, Sin the moon), Canaan (sun and moon deities). Israel constantly battled astral worship, as evidenced by Josiah's reforms removing sun chariots and horses from the temple (2 Kings 23:5, 11). The Babylonian exile exposed Israel to sophisticated astrology, requiring prophetic warnings (Isaiah 47:13, Jeremiah 8:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the phrase 'be driven to worship' acknowledge both external cultural pressure and internal sinful inclination toward idolatry?
  2. In what ways do modern forms of astrology and horoscopes continue this ancient temptation to find meaning in created things rather than the Creator?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וּפֶן1 of 28
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תִּשָּׂ֨א2 of 28

And lest thou lift up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵינֶ֜יךָ3 of 28

thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃4 of 28

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְֽ֠רָאִיתָ5 of 28

and when thou seest

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת6 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ7 of 28

the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

וְאֶת8 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיָּרֵ֜חַ9 of 28

and the moon

H3394

the moon

וְאֶת10 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים11 of 28

and the stars

H3556

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

כֹּ֚ל12 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָ֣א13 of 28

even all the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃14 of 28

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛15 of 28

shouldest be driven

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִ֥יתָ16 of 28

to worship

H7812

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

לָהֶ֖ם17 of 28
H0
וַֽעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם18 of 28

them and serve

H5647

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר19 of 28
H834

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

חָלַ֜ק20 of 28

hath divided

H2505

to be smooth (figuratively)

יְהוָ֤ה21 of 28

them which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙22 of 28

thy God

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

אֹתָ֔ם23 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְכֹל֙24 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽעַמִּ֔ים25 of 28

unto all nations

H5971

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

תַּ֖חַת26 of 28
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

כָּל27 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃28 of 28

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r


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 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 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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