Deuteronomy 7:4

Deuteronomy 7:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

For through them your sons will be turned from me to the worship of other gods: and the Lord will be moved to wrath against you and send destruction on you quickly.

Free Bible Version FBV

because they will lead your children away from following me to worship other gods. Then the Lord will be angry with you, and he will quickly come and kill you.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For they wil cause thy sonne to turne away from me, and to serue other gods: then will the wrath of the Lord waxe hote against you and destroy thee suddenly.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

for he doth turn aside thy son from after Me, and they have served other gods, and the anger of Jehovah hath burned against you, and hath destroyed thee hastily.

World English Bible WEB

For that would turn away your sons from following me, that they may serve other gods. So the LORD’s anger would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For she will turn away thy son from following me, that he may rather serve strange gods, and the wrath of the Lord will be kindled, and will quickly destroy thee.

Translation for Translators T4T

Because, if you did that, those people would cause your children to stop worshiping Yahweh and to worship other gods. If that happens, Yahweh will be very angry with you and he will get rid of you immediately.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 7:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 7:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כִּֽי יָסִ֤יר אֶת בִּנְ/ךָ֙ מֵֽ/אַחֲרַ֔/י וְ/עָבְד֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְ/חָרָ֤ה אַף יְהוָה֙ בָּ/כֶ֔ם וְ/הִשְׁמִידְ/ךָ֖ מַהֵֽר

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

יָסִ֤יר çûwr H5493 to turn aside V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

בִּנְ/ךָ֙ bên H1121 son N-ms | Suff

מֵֽ/אַחֲרַ֔/י ʼachar H310 after Prep | Prep | Suff

וְ/עָבְד֖וּ ʻâbad H5647 to serve Conj | V-Qal-3cp

אֱלֹהִ֣ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp

אֲחֵרִ֑ים ʼachêr H312 another Adj

וְ/חָרָ֤ה chârâh H2734 to be incensed Conj | V-Qal-3ms

אַף ʼaph H639 face DirObjM

יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

בָּ/כֶ֔ם Prep | Suff

וְ/הִשְׁמִידְ/ךָ֖ shâmad H8045 to destroy Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms | Suff

מַהֵֽר mahêr H4118 quick V-Piel-Ptc

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 7:4

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

יָסִ֤יר çûwr H5493 "to turn aside" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms

To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.

Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed

Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

בִּנְ/ךָ֙ bên H1121 "son" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

מֵֽ/אַחֲרַ֔/י ʼachar H310 "after" Prep | Prep | Suff

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after

Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.

וְ/עָבְד֖וּ ʻâbad H5647 "to serve" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.

Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve

Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.

אֱלֹהִ֣ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

אֲחֵרִ֑ים ʼachêr H312 "another" Adj

Means another or next in the original Hebrew, often referring to someone or something that follows or is different. It appears in various contexts, including descriptions of people and events in the Bible.

Definition: 1) another, other, following 1a) following, further 1b) other, different

Usage: Occurs in 161 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other man, following, next, strange. See also: Genesis 4:25; 1 Kings 13:10; Psalms 16:4.

וְ/חָרָ֤ה chârâh H2734 "to be incensed" Conj | V-Qal-3ms

To be incensed means to be very angry or furious, like a fire burning. It describes strong emotions like anger, zeal, or jealousy, and is used to express intense feelings in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to be hot, furious, burn, becomeangry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation

Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See H8474 (תַּחָרָה). See also: Genesis 4:5; 1 Samuel 15:11; Psalms 18:8.

אַף ʼaph H639 "face" DirObjM

This Hebrew word can mean face, but also anger or nose. It is used to describe someone's countenance or emotions, like anger or patience. In the Bible, it appears in various contexts, including descriptions of God's emotions.

Definition: : face 1) nostril, nose, face 2) anger

Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. See also: Genesis 2:7; Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 2:5.

יְהוָה֙ Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

בָּ/כֶ֔ם "" Prep | Suff

וְ/הִשְׁמִידְ/ךָ֖ shâmad H8045 "to destroy" Conj | V-Hiphil-3ms | Suff

The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.

מַהֵֽר mahêr H4118 "quick" V-Piel-Ptc

This word means to do something quickly or hastily, like when someone is in a hurry. The Bible uses it to describe urgent actions in the book of Esther.

Definition: adj hurrying, speedy, swift, hastening

Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: hasteth, hastily, at once, quickly, soon, speedily, suddenly. See also: Exodus 32:8; Joshua 2:5; Psalms 69:18.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 7:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 7:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 7:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:4
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:4
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 7:4
Sermons on Deuteronomy 7:4

Context — Drive Out the Nations

2and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. 3Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,

4because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

5Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. 6For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 6:15	For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.
2	Judges 2:11	And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals.
3	Deuteronomy 4:26	I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed.
4	Judges 3:7–8	So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs. Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim, and the Israelites served him eight years.
5	Deuteronomy 32:16–17	They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear.
6	Exodus 20:5	You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
7	Judges 10:6–7	And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
8	Judges 2:20	So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice,

Deuteronomy 7:4 Summary

[This verse is saying that if we start to follow or worship other gods, we will turn away from the one true God, and He will be very angry with us, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:4. This is because God is a jealous God, as stated in Exodus 20:5, and He wants us to worship only Him. If we start to worship other things, like money or power, we are essentially turning our backs on God, and this can have serious consequences, as warned in Revelation 21:8. We need to be careful about the things we allow into our lives and make sure they are not leading us away from God.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God warn against intermarrying with other nations in Deuteronomy 7:4?

God warns against intermarrying with other nations because they will lead His people away from following Him and towards serving other gods, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:4, and this is also echoed in Exodus 34:15-16 where God warns against making covenants with the people of Canaan.

What is the consequence of turning away from God to serve other gods?

The consequence of turning away from God to serve other gods is that the anger of the Lord will burn against His people, and He will swiftly destroy them, as stated in Deuteronomy 7:4, and also seen in the example of the Israelites in the wilderness in Numbers 25:3.

How can we apply the principle of Deuteronomy 7:4 to our lives today?

We can apply the principle of Deuteronomy 7:4 to our lives today by being mindful of the company we keep and the influences we allow in our lives, and ensuring that they do not lead us away from following God, as warned in 1 Corinthians 15:33 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.

What is the relationship between idolatry and God's judgment?

Idolatry is a serious offense against God, and it can lead to His judgment, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:4 and also in Romans 1:18-25, where it is written that those who suppress the truth and worship idols will face the wrath of God.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which the world around us can lead us away from following God, and how can we guard against these influences?
How can we ensure that our relationships and associations do not lead us into idolatry or away from serving the one true God?
What are some modern-day 'gods' that people may be tempted to serve, and how can we recognize and resist these temptations?
In what ways can we prioritize our relationship with God and ensure that we are not turning away from Him to serve other gods?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 7:4

For they will turn away thy son from following me,.... From the pure worship of God, his word, statutes, and ordinances: that they may serve other gods; worship their idols; that is, the daughters of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 7:4

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:4

i.e. There is manifest danger of apostacy and idolatry from such matches; which reason doth both limit the law to such of these as were unconverted, otherwise Salmon married Rahab, , and enlarge it to other idolatrous nations, as appears from .

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 7:4

Deuteronomy 7:4 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.Ver. 4. For they will turn away thy son.] As the foreign women did Solomon. What is the reason the Pope will not dispense in Spain or Italy, if a Papist marry a Protestant, yet here they will, but in hope to draw more to them? The tyrant Mezentius tied the living bodies of his captives to the dead; but the dead did not revive by the living, the living rather putrified by the dead. Corpora corporibus iungebat mortua vivis. - Virgil.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 7:4

4. turn away thy son from following me] Expressed differently in Exodus 34:16 b but to the same effect, that the influence of the foreign wife on her Israelite husband will be to lead him into idolatry. From after me (lit.): as the speaker is Moses, the me has been taken to be due to abbreviation of the divine name, and Jehovah is read; but in that case we should have had Jehovah thy God. Therefore retain me and take this as an instance, occurring again in Deuteronomy 17:3, Deuteronomy 28:20, Deuteronomy 29:5 (4), and frequent in the discourses of the prophets, of the merging of the speaker’s personality in that of the Deity, for whom he speaks. against you] Transition for the moment to the Pl. (confirmed by Sam. and LXX). It is impossible to say whether this is original or an editorial addition. quickly] Deuteronomy 4:26.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 7:4

	Sermon	Description
	Our Daily Homily - Deuteronomy by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes God's unwavering support and guidance throughout life's journey, as illustrated in Deuteronomy. He highlights that God carries His people with love and compas
	Dedication Proved by Devern Fromke	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the foundational teachings of the faith and progressing in our spiritual journey. He shares a story of a youn
	Birth of the New World Order by Michael Coffman	The video mentioned in the sermon transcript is called "Waco, the Rules of Engagement." It tells the story of a government attack on a group of peaceable people who were Christians
	Bristol Conference 1976-13 Studies in the Judges by Bob Clark	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the historical context of the Israelites and their relationship with God. He emphasizes that God would discipline them when they failed to e
	From the Death of Moses to the Death of Eli by Flavius Josephus	Flavius Josephus recounts the period after the death of Joshua, where the Israelites faced challenges due to their disobedience and neglect of God's laws. The tribe of Benjamin fac
	The Tragedy of Third Generation Religion by Paris Reidhead	Paris Reidhead preaches on the tragedy of third-generation religion, using Judges chapter 2 to illustrate how the Israelites turned to idols despite witnessing God's miracles. He e
	Bible Survey - Judges by Peter Hammond	Peter Hammond preaches on the Book of Judges, highlighting the themes of the faithfulness of the Covenant-keeping God and the unfaithfulness of the Covenant-breaking people. The bo