Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;

DEUTERONOMY 6:14KJV
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Deuteronomy 6:14 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 6:14 mean?

Deuteronomy 6:14 commands the Israelites not to follow or worship the gods of the surrounding nations. The verse warns them against adopting the religious practices of the peoples living near them.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The context is a series of instructions about loyalty to the LORD alone. The warning is practical: the Israelites will be surrounded by nations with different gods and customs, and they are told not to be influenced by these outside beliefs.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 6:14

  • "Go" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word means to walk or go after, and here it carries the sense of actively pursuing or following after something, not just a casual interest.
  • "After" (אַחַר, achar): This word means "behind" or "after," emphasizing the idea of chasing or seeking something that is not originally theirs.
  • "Other" (אֲחֵרִים, acherim): This word means "other" or "different," highlighting that these gods are not the LORD, but foreign or alien to Israel.
  • "Gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim): This term can refer to gods in general, not just the true God of Israel, so it points to the deities worshipped by other nations.
  • "People" (עַם, am): This refers to the nations or groups living around Israel, making it clear that the warning is about outside influences.
  • "About" (סָבִיב, saviv): This word means "around" or "surrounding," stressing the nearness and ever-present temptation of these foreign gods.

Why Deuteronomy 6:14 matters

  • Deuteronomy 6:14 clarifies that the command is not just about avoiding idols in general, but specifically about resisting the influence of neighboring cultures and their religious practices.
  • The verse highlights the unique relationship between Israel and the LORD, setting them apart from other nations and their gods.
  • This warning connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy 6, which is about loving the LORD with undivided loyalty and teaching future generations to do the same.