Deuteronomy 17:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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;

Complete Jewish Bible:

by going and serving other gods and worshipping them, the sun, the moon, or anything in the sky - something I have forbidden -

Berean Standard Bible:

and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And hath gone^{H3212} and served^{H5647} other^{H312} gods^{H430}, and worshipped^{H7812} them, either the sun^{H8121}, or moon^{H3394}, or any of the host^{H6635} of heaven^{H8064}, which I have not commanded^{H6680};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 17:3

Deuteronomy 17:3 is part of a larger section in the book that deals with legal and moral instructions for the Israelite community as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse reflects several key themes:

1. **Monotheism and Idolatry**: The verse emphasizes the importance of exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. It warns against the worship of other gods, which is a recurring concern throughout the Old Testament. Idolatry is portrayed as a betrayal of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

2. **Covenant Faithfulness**: The prohibition against worshiping other gods is rooted in the covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai. This covenant required Israel to obey God's commandments and in return, God would bless them and be their God.

3. **Divine Command**: The verse underscores the concept of divine command, where the authority of God's laws is paramount. The Israelites are reminded that they are bound to observe only those practices commanded by God, and not to adopt religious practices from other cultures.

4. **Astral Worship**: Specifically, the verse mentions the sun, moon, and "host of heaven," which refers to celestial bodies often worshiped by neighboring ancient Near Eastern cultures. This form of astral worship was particularly tempting for the Israelites, given its prevalence in the region.

The historical context of Deuteronomy is generally associated with the period just before the Israelites' entry into Canaan. The book is presented as a series of speeches by Moses, recounting the law and reiterating the importance of faithfulness to God as the people transition from a nomadic existence in the wilderness to a settled life in the land of Canaan. Deuteronomy serves as a foundational text for the religious and social life of ancient Israel, and its themes continue to influence Jewish and Christian thought.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5647
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַד
   Transliteration: ʻâbad
   Pronunciation: aw-bad'
   Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [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,
   
3. Strong's Number: H312
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֵר
   Transliteration: ʼachêr
   Pronunciation: akh-air'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
   
4. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7812
   There are 166 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁחָה
   Transliteration: shâchâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-khaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God); bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8121
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
   Transliteration: shemesh
   Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3394
   There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵחַ
   Transliteration: yârêach
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'-akh
   Description: from the same as יֶרַח; the moon; moon. Yrechow. See יְרִיחוֹ.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6635
   There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָבָא
   Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
   Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
   Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
   
9. Strong's Number: H8064
   There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
   Transliteration: shâmayim
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
   Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).
   
10. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.