Deuteronomy 30:17

Verse

But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, but are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,

American Standard Version (1901)

But if thy heart turn away, and thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

But if your heart is turned away and your ear is shut, and you go after those who would make you servants and worshippers of other gods:

Douay-Rheims 1899

But if thy heart be turned away, so that thou wilt not hear, and being deceived with error thou adore strange gods, and serve them:

Free Bible Version

If you disregard this and you refuse to listen, if you're lured into bowing down to other gods and worshiping them,

Geneva Bible 1599

But if thine heart turne away, so that thou wilt not obey, but shalt be seduced and worship other gods, and serue them,

King James (Authorized) Version

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

One Unity Resource Bible

But if your heart turns away, and you will not sh'ma ·hear obey·, but are drawn away, and hawa ·bow low, prostrate· to worship other deities, and abad ·serve· them; (LY: Maftir ·Conclusion·)

Translation for Translators

But if you turn away from Yahweh and refuse to heed what he says, and if you allow yourselves to be led away to worship other gods,

Unlocked Literal Bible

But if your heart turns away, and you do not listen but instead are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them,

Noah Webster Bible

But if thy heart shall turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

World English Bible

But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away and worship other gods, and serve them,

Young's Literal Translation

'And if thy heart doth turn, and thou dost not hearken, and hast been driven away, and hast bowed thyself to other gods, and served them,

Context

The Choice of Life or Death

¹⁶For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.¹⁷But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, but are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them,¹⁸I declare to you today that you will surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Summary

In this verse, Moses conveys the importance of obedience to God's commands, emphasizing that choosing to disobey will lead to negative consequences. The verse highlights the significance of making the right choices and following God's ways to experience blessings and life. It serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, showing that obedience is key to receiving His promises and favor. Ultimately, Deuteronomy 30:17 underscores the principle of cause and effect, where disobedience results in hardship while obedience leads to fulfillment of God's plans.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if thine heart turn away,.... From the true God, and the right worship of him, and from his commands, statutes, and judgments: so that thou wilt not hear; the voice of the Lord and obey it, or hearken to his laws, and do them: but shalt be drawn away; by an evil heart, and by the ill examples of others: and worship other gods and serve them; the gods of the Gentiles, the idols of the people, besides the one living and true God, the God of Israel.