TRV
Translation
King James Version
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Complete Jewish Bible
But be careful not to let yourselves be seduced, so that you turn aside, serving other gods and worshipping them.
Berean Standard Bible
But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,
American Standard Version
Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
World English Bible Messianic
Be careful, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Geneva Bible (1599)
But beware lest your heart deceiue you, and lest yee turne aside, and serue other gods, and worship them,
Young's Literal Translation
`Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be enticed, and ye have turned aside, and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them,
See also
In the KJVVerse 5,225 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Deuteronomy 11 verses 8–17
8 ¶ Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
10 For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:
11 But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
17 And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.
Still Moses urges the same subject, as loth to conclude till he had gained his point. "If thou wilt enter into life, if thou wilt enter into Canaan, a type of that life, and find it a good land indeed to thee, keep the commandments: Keep all the commandments which I command you this day; love God, and serve him with all your heart."
I. Because this was the way to get and keep possession of the promised land. 1. It was the way to get possession (Deu 11:8): That you may be strong for war, and so go in and possess it. So little did they know either of hardship or hazard in the wars of Canaan that he does not say they should go in and fight for it; no, they had nothing in effect to do but go in and possess it. He does not go about to teach them the art of war, how to draw the bow, and use the sword, and keep ranks, that they might be strong, and go in and possess the land; no, but let them keep God's commandments, and their religion, while they are true to it, will be their strength, and secure their success. (2.) It was the way to keep possession (Deu 11:9): That you may prolong your days in this land that your eye is upon. Sin tends to the shortening of the days of particular persons and to the shortening of the days of a people's prosperity; but obedience will be a lengthening out of their tranquillity.
II. Because the land of Canaan, into which they were going, had a more sensible dependence upon the blessing of heaven than the land of Egypt had, Deu 11:10-12. Egypt was a country fruitful enough, but it was all flat, and was watered, not as other countries with rain (it is said of Egypt, Zac 14:18, that it has no rain), but by the overflowing of the river Nile at a certain season of the year, to the improving of which there was necessary a great deal of the art and labour of the husbandman, so that in Egypt a man must bestow as much cost and pains upon a field as upon a garden of herbs. And this made them the more apt to imagine that the power of their own hands got them this wealth. But the land of Canaan was an uneven country, a land of hills and valleys, which not only gave a more pleasing prospect to the eye, but yielded a greater variety of soils for the several purposes of the husbandman. It was a land that had no great rivers in it, except Jordan, but drank water of the rain of heaven, and so, 1. Saved them a great deal of labour. While the Egyptians were ditching and guttering in the fields, up to the knees in mud, to bring water to their land, which otherwise would soon become like the heath in the wilderness, the Israelites could sit in their houses, warm and easy, and leave it to God to water their land with the former and the latter rain, which is called the river of God (Psa 65:9), perhaps in allusion to, and contempt of, the river of Egypt, which that nation was so proud of. Note, The better God has provided, by our outward condition, for our ease and convenience, the more we should abound in his service: the less we have to do for our bodies the more we should do for God and our souls. 2. So he directed them to look upwards to God, who giveth us rain form heaven and fruitful seasons (Act 14:17), and promised to be himself as the dew unto Israel, Hos 14:5. Note, (1.) Mercies bring with them the greatest comfort and sweetness when we see them coming from heaven, the immediate gifts of divine Providence. (2.) The closer dependence we have upon God the more cheerful we should be in our obedience to him. See how Moses here magnifies the land of Canaan above all other lands, that the eyes of God were always upon it, that is, they should be so, to see that nothing was wanting, while they kept close to God and duty; its fruitfulness should be not so much the happy effect of its soil as the immediate fruit of the divine blessing; this may be inferred from its present state, for it is said to be at this day, now that God has departed from it, as barren a spot of ground as perhaps any under heaven. Call it not Naomi: call it Marah.
III. Because God would certainly bless them with an abundance of all good things if they would love him and serve him (Deu 11:13-15): I will give you the rain of your land in due season, so that they should neither want it when the ground called for it nor have it in excess; but they should have the former rain, which fell at seed-time, and the latter rain, which fell before the harvest, Amo 4:7. This represented all the seasonable blessings which God would bestow upon them, especially spiritual comforts, which should come as the latter and former, rain, Hos 6:3. And the earth thus watered produced, 1. Fruits for the service of man, corn and wine, and oil, Psa 104:13-15. 2. Grass for the cattle, that they also might be serviceable to man, that he might eat of them and be full, Deu 11:15. Godliness hath here the promise of the life that now is; but the favour of God shall put gladness into the heart, more than the increase of corn, and wine, and oil will.
IV. Because their revolt from God to idols. would certainly be their ruin: Take heed that your hearts be not deceived, Deu 11:16, Deu 11:17. All that forsake God to set their affection upon, or pay their devotion to, any creature, will find themselves wretchedly deceived to their own destruction; and this will aggravate it that it was purely for want of taking heed. A little care would have prevented their being imposed upon by the great deceiver. To awaken them to take heed, Moses here tells them plainly that if they should turn aside to other gods, 1. They would provoke the wrath of God against them; and who knows the power of that anger? 2. Good things would be turned away from them; the heaven would withhold its rain, and then of course the earth would not yield its fruit. 3. Evil things would come upon them; they would perish quickly form off this good land. And the better the land was the more grievous it would be to perish from it. The goodness of the land would not be their security, when the badness of the inhabitants had made them ripe for ruin.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–17. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 11:16 delivers a solemn and urgent warning to the Israelites, urging them to exercise extreme vigilance over their inner spiritual state. It highlights the profound danger of spiritual deception originating within the heart, which can subtly lead individuals to deviate from their covenant loyalty to the Lord, ultimately resulting in the service and worship of false deities. This verse underscores the foundational principle that true worship stems from an undivided heart, and that any shift in allegiance carries severe consequences.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 11:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent warning. The most prominent is Warning, which is explicit in the opening command "Take heed to yourselves." This direct address creates a sense of immediacy and personal responsibility for the audience. The verse also utilizes Progression, outlining a clear sequence of spiritual decline: internal deception of the heart leads to a turning aside from God's path, which culminates in the overt acts of serving and worshipping other gods. This progression illustrates the insidious nature of apostasy, often beginning subtly before manifesting in full-blown idolatry. Furthermore, the Metaphor of the "heart" is central. The heart is not merely an organ but a symbolic representation of the entire inner person—the mind, will, and affections. By warning against the heart being "deceived," the text emphasizes that true fidelity to God is an internal matter, originating from the core of one's being, and that spiritual danger often begins with an internal shift before external actions follow.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 11:16 is a profound theological statement on the nature of human fidelity and divine expectation. It underscores God's demand for exclusive worship, rooted in His unique identity as the one true God who delivers and sustains His people. The warning against a "deceived heart" reveals a deep understanding of human vulnerability to spiritual compromise, recognizing that the battle for ultimate allegiance is waged within. This verse implies that idolatry is not merely an external act but the culmination of an internal reorientation, a shift in the heart's ultimate trust and devotion. God's covenant relationship with Israel was predicated on their singular devotion to Him, and any deviation was seen as an act of spiritual adultery, threatening the very foundation of their existence and blessing in the land.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 11:16, though ancient, speaks with striking contemporary relevance. While we may not bow to physical idols of wood and stone, the principle of a "deceived heart" leading to misplaced worship remains profoundly active. Modern idolatry often manifests in more subtle, yet equally destructive, forms: the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, power, pleasure, self-image, or even intellectual superiority, which can subtly displace God as the ultimate object of our devotion and trust. This verse challenges us to engage in rigorous self-examination, asking what truly captures our ultimate allegiance, shapes our decisions, and defines our identity. It calls for an active, conscious guarding of our inner lives, recognizing that spiritual drift often begins with a gradual, unnoticed shift in our affections and priorities, rather than a sudden, dramatic rejection of faith. Our spiritual vitality depends on maintaining an undivided heart, ensuring that God alone reigns supreme in our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean for the "heart" to be deceived in this verse?
Answer: In biblical thought, the "heart" (Hebrew: lev) is far more than just a physical organ; it represents the totality of the inner person—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and conscience. When Deuteronomy 11:16 warns that the heart might be "deceived" (Hebrew: patah, meaning enticed, persuaded, or seduced), it means that one's deepest thoughts, desires, and intentions can be subtly lured away from God's truth and covenant loyalty. This deception is often insidious, appealing to personal desires or worldly wisdom, leading one to believe that something other than God can provide ultimate satisfaction, security, or meaning. It's not necessarily an overt trick but a gradual, internal persuasion that shifts one's ultimate trust and devotion away from the Lord towards false objects of worship, whether literal pagan deities or modern-day idols like money, power, or self. This internal shift then manifests in external actions of "turning aside" and serving "other gods."
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 11:16, with its profound warning against a deceived heart leading to idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently reveals the human heart's inherent propensity to wander and its inability to perfectly guard itself against deception, as lamented by Jeremiah 17:9. Jesus, however, addresses this core human problem directly. He declares that true defilement comes from within, from the heart, where evil thoughts and desires originate, as recorded in Mark 7:21-23. The New Covenant, prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33, promises a radical transformation: God will put His law within His people and write it on their hearts, enabling a genuine, internal obedience that the Old Covenant could not fully achieve due to the heart's fallenness. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are given a new heart, as promised in Ezekiel 36:26-27, empowering them to guard against deception and truly serve the one true God. Jesus Himself is the ultimate object of worship, fulfilling the demand for exclusive devotion that Deuteronomy calls for. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the one to whom all allegiance is due, and through Him, we are enabled to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, thereby overcoming the deception that leads to idolatry, as Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 22:37.