And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

DEUTERONOMY 17:3KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 17:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 17:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 17:3 describes a situation where someone in Israel turns away from God to serve and worship other gods, specifically mentioning the sun, moon, or any of the stars—things God never commanded them to worship. The verse highlights a forbidden act that breaks Israel’s covenant with God by honoring created things instead of the Creator.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He is giving them laws to follow, warning them against idolatry, which was common among neighboring peoples. The verse makes clear that worshipping the sun, moon, or stars is not just a mistake but a serious violation of God’s instructions.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 17:3

  • "Served" (עָבַד, ʿāvad): This word means more than just worship; it also includes acts of service or devotion, showing that the person’s loyalty has shifted from God to these other things.
  • "Other" (אַחֵר, ʾacher): This word stresses that these are not just additional gods, but different ones—foreign to Israel’s faith and relationship with God.
  • "Host" (צָבָא, tsāvaʾ): This refers to the "host of heaven," meaning all the stars and heavenly bodies, which many ancient cultures worshipped as gods. The verse singles out these objects to make it clear that even the most impressive parts of creation are not to be worshipped.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsāvāh): The verse points out that God never gave any command to worship these things, underlining that true worship is defined by God’s instructions, not human ideas.

Why Deuteronomy 17:3 matters

  • Deuteronomy 17:3 clarifies that worshipping anything in creation, even things as grand as the sun or stars, is a direct violation of Israel’s relationship with God.
  • The verse helps explain why idolatry was treated so seriously in Israel’s law, showing that it was not just about statues or images but included any devotion to created things.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy of staying faithful to God alone, setting Israel apart from surrounding nations who practiced astral worship.

Where else these words appear

“moon” Hebrew H3394 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
  • Psalms 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
  • Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.