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 13:17KJV
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Deuteronomy 13:17 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 13:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 13:17 tells Israel not to keep anything from a city condemned for turning to other gods. The command links obedience with the LORD turning away from anger and showing mercy, including the growth of the people he had promised to their ancestors.

Moses is addressing the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land. The image of something “cleaving” to a hand pictures a person holding on to property that was meant for destruction. The verse follows the command to burn the city and its goods in verse 16.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 13:17

  • “cleave” — דָּבַק (davaq): This word carries the sense of sticking or clinging. Here, it gives a vivid picture of forbidden goods remaining in someone’s possession.
  • “thing” — חֵרֶם (ḥerem): This word can refer to something placed under a ban or set apart for destruction. The KJV phrase “the cursed thing” refers here to goods from the condemned city.
  • “mercy” — רַחֲמִים (raḥamim): This word conveys tender concern or compassion. In the verse, it stands alongside God’s turning from anger and his promise to increase the people.

Why Deuteronomy 13:17 matters

  • The command concerns more than refusing to worship other gods. The ban on keeping goods follows the passage’s response to a city led into worshiping them, in Deuteronomy 13:12–16.
  • The promise of an increased population is tied to an earlier promise. “As he hath sworn unto thy fathers” points back to the LORD’s promise to Israel’s ancestors, including Abraham in Genesis 22:17.

Where else these words appear

“thing” Hebrew H2764 · used in 31 verses

  • Leviticus 27:21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.
  • Joshua 7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
  • Ezekiel 26:14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.

“nought” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:5 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.
  • 1 Kings 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

“fierceness” Hebrew H2740 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Job 20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
  • Jeremiah 25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

“compassion” Hebrew H7355 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
  • Isaiah 49:10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
  • Jeremiah 42:12 And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land.