Deuteronomy 13:4

Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Ye shall walk {H3212} after {H310} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, and fear {H3372} him, and keep {H8104} his commandments {H4687}, and obey {H8085} his voice {H6963}, and ye shall serve {H5647} him, and cleave {H1692} unto him.

You are to follow ADONAI your God, fear him, obey his mitzvot, listen to what he says, serve him and cling to him;

You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him.

Ye shall walk after Jehovah your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 13:4 is a powerful summary of the covenant relationship God desired with Israel, emphasizing complete and exclusive devotion. It outlines six specific actions that define true faithfulness to the LORD, serving as a timeless guide for believers on how to live in obedience and commitment to God.

Context

This verse is found within a crucial section of Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) which details the laws and stipulations of the covenant given to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, chapter 13 serves as a stern warning against the dangers of idolatry and false prophets. Moses presents a vivid contrast: on one hand, the allure of turning away after other gods, and on the other, the profound call to unwavering loyalty to the one true God. Deuteronomy 13:4 articulates the positive standard of conduct and devotion required to prevent such apostasy, underscoring the importance of adherence to God's ways in the face of temptation.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Devotion and Loyalty: The verse calls for a singular focus on God. The cumulative actions—walking after, fearing, keeping, obeying, serving, and cleaving—paint a picture of wholehearted commitment that leaves no room for divided loyalties.
  • Comprehensive Obedience: "Keep his commandments" and "obey his voice" highlight the necessity of active obedience to God's revealed will. This isn't passive agreement but a diligent adherence to divine instruction, reflecting a heart that desires to please God. Jesus later affirmed this principle, stating that love for Him is demonstrated by keeping His commandments.
  • Exclusive Service and Intimacy: "Serve him, and cleave unto him" speaks to the exclusivity of Israel's relationship with God. They were not to serve any other deities, but only the LORD. The concept of "cleaving" implies a deep, intimate bond, like being glued or sticking closely to someone, signifying profound loyalty and dependence. This commitment is foundational to the covenant relationship, as seen throughout the Pentateuch, especially in passages like Deuteronomy 6:5 which calls for loving God with all one's being.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "fear" (yare') in "fear him" does not primarily mean terror, but rather a profound sense of reverence, awe, and respect for God's power, holiness, and authority. It implies a recognition of His supreme position and a desire to honor Him by living righteously.
  • The phrase "cleave unto him" comes from the Hebrew verb dabaq. This word means to cling, stick, or hold fast. It conveys a strong sense of attachment, loyalty, and intimate connection, much like a person is joined to their spouse (as in Genesis 2:24). In this context, it signifies an unbreakable spiritual bond and absolute faithfulness to God alone.

Practical Application

For believers today, Deuteronomy 13:4 remains profoundly relevant. In a world filled with distractions and competing allegiances, this verse calls us to a singular devotion to God. It challenges us to examine who or what we truly "walk after," "serve," and "cleave unto." Modern "idols" might not be statues, but can include money, career, possessions, entertainment, or self-ambition. The verse encourages a life characterized by:

  • Intentional Obedience: Actively seeking to understand and follow God's commands in all areas of life.
  • Reverent Worship: Approaching God with deep respect and awe, recognizing His sovereignty.
  • Unwavering Loyalty: Maintaining an exclusive relationship with God, resisting anything that would draw our hearts away from Him.

This commitment is not burdensome but leads to life and blessing, fostering a deep and fulfilling relationship with the Creator, just as Joshua challenged Israel to "choose this day whom ye will serve", ultimately pointing to the blessings of serving the LORD.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Colossians 1:10

    That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

  • Deuteronomy 10:20

    Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:17

    But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:31

    And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

  • 2 Kings 23:3

    And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all [their] heart and all [their] soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

  • Deuteronomy 30:20

    That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, [and] that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
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