Deuteronomy 4:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For the same reason, do not look up at the sky, at the sun, moon, stars and everything in the sky, and be drawn away to worship and serve them; ADONAI your God has allotted these to all the peoples under the entire sky.

Berean Standard Bible:

When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.

American Standard Version:

and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And lest thou lift up^{H5375} thine eyes^{H5869} unto heaven^{H8064}, and when thou seest^{H7200} the sun^{H8121}, and the moon^{H3394}, and the stars^{H3556}, even all the host^{H6635} of heaven^{H8064}, shouldest be driven^{H5080} to worship^{H7812} them, and serve^{H5647} them, which the LORD^{H3068} thy God^{H430} hath divided^{H2505} unto all nations^{H5971} under the whole heaven^{H8064}.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 4:19

Deuteronomy 4:19 is part of Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, found in the book of Deuteronomy, which is a series of speeches recounting the law given by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This verse addresses a specific theme within the broader context of Israel's exclusive worship of Yahweh, their God.

**Themes:**
1. **Monotheism and Idolatry:** The primary theme is the prohibition against idolatry, which is the worship of idols or anything other than the one true God, Yahweh. Moses warns the Israelites against the temptation to worship celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, which other nations might regard as deities.

2. **Divine Allocation:** The verse emphasizes that these celestial bodies have been appointed by God for all nations, implying that their purpose is not to be worshiped but to serve functions within the created order established by Yahweh.

3. **Exclusivity of Worship:** Moses reiterates the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, reminding them that their worship should be directed exclusively to Him, as He has chosen them and revealed His law to them.

**Historical Context:**
The book of Deuteronomy is set in the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. This period follows the exodus from Egypt and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.

During this time, the Israelites were surrounded by polytheistic cultures that worshiped a pantheon of gods, often associated with natural phenomena like the sun, moon, and stars. The historical context reflects the ongoing challenge for Israel to maintain its religious identity and fidelity to Yahweh amidst the religious pluralism of the ancient Near East.

Deuteronomy 4:19, therefore, serves as a warning to the Israelites to remain faithful to Yahweh and to avoid the syncretistic practices of their neighbors, which would compromise their unique relationship with God and undermine the theological foundations of their covenant community.

*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: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3556
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוֹכָב
   Transliteration: kôwkâb
   Pronunciation: ko-kawb'
   Description: probably from the same as כַּבּוֹן (in the sense of rolling) or כָּוָה (in the sense of blazing); a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince; star(-gazer).
   
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: H5080
   There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָדַח
   Transliteration: nâdach
   Pronunciation: naw-dakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.); banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw.
   
10. 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.
    
11. 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,
    
12. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
    
13. 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.
    
14. Strong's Number: H2505
    There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָלַק
    Transliteration: châlaq
    Pronunciation: khaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root; to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to apportion or separate; deal, distribute, divide, flatter, give, (have, im-) part(-ner), take away a portion, receive, separate self, (be) smooth(-er).
    
15. Strong's Number: H5971
    There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַם
    Transliteration: ʻam
    Pronunciation: am
    Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.