King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 8:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 8:19 in the King James Version says “And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them,... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Deuteronomy 8:19 · KJV


Context

17

And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

18

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

19

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

20

As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents covenant curse for forgetting God and pursuing idolatry. The conditional 'if thou do at all forget' uses emphatic Hebrew construction (shakhoach tishkach) meaning 'surely forget' or 'completely forget.' Walking after, serving, and worshiping other gods represents comprehensive apostasy—progressive departure from mild neglect to active idolatry. The phrase 'I testify against you this day' (ha'idoti) is legal language—Moses serves as witness in a covenant lawsuit. The consequence is unequivocal: 'ye shall surely perish' (avod toveidun, emphatic construction meaning certain destruction). This isn't arbitrary punishment but covenant justice—violation brings curse as surely as obedience brings blessing (Deuteronomy 28).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This warning proved prophetic. The northern kingdom's persistent Baal worship led to Assyrian conquest and exile (722 BC, 2 Kings 17:7-23). Judah's apostasy resulted in Babylonian captivity (586 BC, 2 Chronicles 36:15-21). Both destructions fulfilled this warning exactly—they forgot the LORD, walked after other gods, and perished as nations. The prophets (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea) repeatedly invoked covenant curses, warning that idolatry would bring the threatened destruction. Israel's history demonstrates that God's warnings are not empty threats but certain prophecies.

Reflection Questions

  1. What subtle forms of 'forgetting God' (practical atheism, functional idolatry) appear in your life?
  2. How seriously do you take God's warnings about consequences for persistent sin and unbelief?
  3. What 'other gods' (money, success, comfort, reputation) compete for the worship that belongs to God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אִם2 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּשְׁכַּח֙3 of 20

And it shall be if thou do at all

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

תִּשְׁכַּח֙4 of 20

And it shall be if thou do at all

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אֶת5 of 20
H853

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

יְהוָ֣ה6 of 20

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהִ֣ים7 of 20

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

וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֗8 of 20

and walk

H1980

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

אַֽחֲרֵי֙9 of 20

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֣ים10 of 20

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

אֲחֵרִ֔ים11 of 20

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וַֽעֲבַדְתָּ֖ם12 of 20

and serve

H5647

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

וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִ֣יתָ13 of 20

them and worship

H7812

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

לָהֶ֑ם14 of 20
H0
הַֽעִדֹ֤תִי15 of 20

them I testify

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

בָכֶם֙16 of 20
H0
הַיּ֔וֹם17 of 20

against you this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֥י18 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תֹּֽאבֵדֽוּן׃19 of 20

perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

תֹּֽאבֵדֽוּן׃20 of 20

perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)


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 8:19 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 8:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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