King James Version
Deuteronomy 4:28 in the King James Version says “And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.”
Deuteronomy 4:28 · KJV
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.
And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; are: Heb. have found thee
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And there ye shall serve”
H5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
“gods”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“the work”
H4639an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
“hands”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“which neither see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“nor hear”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“nor smell”
H7306properly, to blow, i.e., breathe; only (literally) to smell or (by implication, perceive (figuratively, to anticipate, enjoy)
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.
Deuteronomy 4:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Deuteronomy 4:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge