For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

DEUTERONOMY 7:4KJV
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Deuteronomy 7:4 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 7:4 mean?

Deuteronomy 7:4 warns that if the Israelites allow their children to marry people from the nations around them, those outsiders will turn their children away from following God, leading them to serve other gods, which will provoke God’s anger and bring sudden destruction. The verse emphasizes the serious consequences of turning away from God to worship other gods.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He is explaining why God commands them not to intermarry with the local peoples: such marriages could lead the Israelites away from their commitment to the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) and into idolatry. The warning is direct and urgent, showing the importance of loyalty to God in the context of ancient Israel’s covenant relationship.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 7:4

  • "Turn away" (סוּר, sur — H5493): This word means to turn aside or remove. Here, it highlights the risk that outside influences could actively pull Israelite children away from following God.
  • "Following" (אַחַר, achar — H310): This word means "after" or "behind," and in this context, it refers to following God’s ways or being loyal to Him.
  • "Serve" (עָבַד, avad — H5647): This verb means to serve or worship, often used for both work and religious devotion. It shows that serving other gods is not just belief but active participation in worship.
  • "Anger" (אַף, af — H639): Literally "nose" or "face," but often used for anger, especially God’s wrath. It paints a vivid picture of God’s emotional response to betrayal.
  • "Kindled" (חָרָה, charah — H2734): This word means to burn or become hot, describing anger flaring up, not just a mild displeasure.
  • "Destroy" (שָׁמַד, shamad — H8045): This verb means to annihilate or wipe out, stressing the seriousness of the warning.
  • "Suddenly" (מְהֵרָה, meherah — H4118): This word means quickly or swiftly, underlining that the consequences would come without delay.

Why Deuteronomy 7:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the main danger of intermarriage, in this context, is not ethnic mixing but the risk of being led into worshiping other gods, which was a real threat in ancient Canaan.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by explaining the reason behind God’s strict command about relationships with other nations, showing it is about spiritual faithfulness, not just social boundaries.
  • The strong language about God’s anger and sudden destruction highlights how seriously the covenant relationship was taken and how central loyalty to God was for Israel’s identity and survival.

Where else these words appear

“suddenly” Hebrew H4118 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 9:16 And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.
  • Psalms 69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

“destroy” Hebrew H8045 · used in 86 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 31:4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
  • Esther 7:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

“kindled” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.