And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;
DEUTERONOMY 13:17KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 13:17 mean?
Deuteronomy 13:17 commands the Israelites not to keep or hold onto anything that has been devoted to destruction, so that the LORD will turn away his fierce anger, show them mercy, have compassion, and increase their numbers as he promised their ancestors. The verse links obedience in removing what is cursed with receiving God’s mercy and blessing.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The situation involves instructions about dealing with cities or people who have turned to idolatry; anything associated with such idolatry is to be destroyed and not kept. The verse emphasizes that God’s compassion and fulfillment of his promises depend on the people’s willingness to fully separate themselves from what he has declared off-limits.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 13:17
- "cleave" (דָּבַק, dāvaq): This word means to cling or stick closely. The verse warns that nothing of the "cursed thing" should stick to the Israelites’ hands, stressing complete separation from what is forbidden.
- "thing" (חֵרֶם, ḥērem): This refers to something devoted to destruction, often because it is associated with idolatry or practices God has condemned. The use of ḥērem highlights the seriousness of keeping such items.
- "fierceness" (חֲרוֹן, ḥarōn) and "anger" (אַף, ’af): These words together describe intense anger, often used in the Hebrew Bible for God’s wrath in response to disobedience. The pairing intensifies the sense of danger in holding onto forbidden things.
- "mercy" (רַחֲמִים, raḥamim) and "compassion" (רָחַם, raḥam): Both words are related, with raḥamim often understood as deep, tender mercy and raḥam as showing compassion. The verse connects God’s mercy and compassion directly to the people’s obedience.
Why Deuteronomy 13:17 matters
- Deuteronomy 13:17 clarifies that God’s mercy and blessing are not automatic but are tied to the people’s obedience in removing what he has condemned.
- The verse shows the seriousness of idolatry and the need for a clean break from anything associated with it, not just outwardly but down to possessions.
- This verse connects to the broader passage by explaining the reason behind the strict command: it is not only about punishment but about restoring the relationship between God and his people.