Deuteronomy 13:7

KJV

[Namely], of the gods of the people which [are] round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth;

KJV (with Strong's)

Namely, of the gods {H430} of the people {H5971} which are round about {H5439} you, nigh {H7138} unto thee, or far off {H7350} from thee, from the one end {H7097} of the earth {H776} even unto the other end {H7097} of the earth {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

gods of the peoples surrounding you, whether near or far away from you, anywhere in the world -

Berean Standard Bible

the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other),

American Standard Version

of the gods of the peoples that are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 13:7 serves as a profound warning within Moses's final address to Israel, emphasizing the ubiquitous and relentless nature of temptation to idolatry. It highlights that false gods, whether from immediate neighbors or distant lands, pose a constant threat to Israel's exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh. This verse underscores the divine imperative for absolute devotion, demanding that the nascent nation remain distinct and uncompromised in its worship, regardless of external cultural or geographical influences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Deuteronomy 13, a pivotal chapter that directly follows the exposition of the Ten Commandments and the foundational call to love and obey Yahweh alone (cf. [Deuteronomy 6:4-9](/deuteronomy/6 "Deuteronomy 6 - The Shema and Love for God")). Chapter 13 specifically addresses the severe dangers of apostasy, outlining strict laws concerning false prophets and those who entice Israel to worship other gods. Verses 1-5 detail how to identify and deal with a prophet who performs signs but leads people away from Yahweh, while verses 6-11 extend this warning to close family members or friends who might secretly propose idolatry. Verse 7, therefore, broadens the scope of this temptation, asserting its pervasive reach from nearby cultures to the furthest corners of the known world, reinforcing the severity of the threat and the necessity of uncompromising fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Israel stood on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land saturated with polytheistic cultures. The indigenous Canaanites, along with surrounding nations, worshipped a pantheon of deities, including Baal, Asherah, and Molech, often involving fertility cults, child sacrifice, and other abominable practices (cf. [Deuteronomy 12:29-31](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Laws for Worship")). Deuteronomy, delivered just before the conquest, aimed to prepare Israel for this encounter, warning them against syncretism and assimilation. The command for exclusive worship of Yahweh (monotheism) was radical in the Ancient Near East, where religious pluralism was the norm. This verse reflects the reality that Israel would be constantly exposed to these foreign religious systems, making the temptation to adopt their gods a daily challenge, regardless of the proximity or distance of the practitioners.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 13:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy. First, it highlights the **Pervasiveness of Temptation**, illustrating that the lure of idolatry is not confined to a specific geographical area or culture but is a universal human tendency to seek spiritual fulfillment outside of the true God. The phrase "nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth" underscores the constant vigilance required to maintain spiritual purity against widespread influences. Second, it reinforces the theme of **Exclusive Worship of Yahweh**, a cornerstone of Israel's covenant. Unlike their neighbors who worshipped many gods, Israel was commanded to worship only the one true God, as articulated in the Shema ([Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel")). This verse reinforces the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")), by showing the breadth of the competing deities. Finally, it speaks to **Covenant Fidelity**, serving as a test of Israel's faithfulness to the covenant made at Horeb (Mount Sinai). Loyalty to God meant rejecting all other gods, regardless of their origin or perceived power, thus upholding the sanctity and exclusivity of their relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gods (Hebrew, _ʾĕlōhîm'_):** While _ʾĕlōhîm_ can refer to the one true God (e.g., [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates Heaven and Earth")), in this context, when paired with "of the people which are round about you," it clearly denotes the pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations. This distinction is crucial, emphasizing the contrast between the multitude of false gods and the singular, sovereign Yahweh.
* **Nigh unto thee, or far off from thee (Hebrew, _qāroḇ ʾēleykā ʾō raḥōq mimmeḵā'_):** These antithetical terms signify the full spectrum of proximity and distance. "Nigh" refers to immediate neighbors and familiar influences, while "far off" encompasses distant lands and cultures. This phrase underscores the comprehensive nature of the idolatrous threat, suggesting that temptation would arise from both direct interaction and indirect exposure to foreign religious practices.
* **From the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth (Hebrew, _miqṣēh hāʾāreṣ wəʿaḏ qṣēh hāʾāreṣ'_):** This idiomatic expression denotes totality or universality. It is a hyperbole used to convey the idea that the temptation to idolatry is not limited by geography or political boundaries. It implies that the allure of other gods is a pervasive, global phenomenon, making Israel's commitment to Yahweh all the more significant and challenging.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Namely], of the gods of the people which [are] round about you":** This clause identifies the source of the idolatrous temptation. It is not an internal, spontaneous deviation, but an external influence stemming from the pagan religious systems of the nations surrounding Israel. This highlights the constant pressure Israel would face to conform to the dominant spiritual practices of the region.
* **"nigh unto thee, or far off from thee":** This phrase expands on the reach of the temptation. It means that whether these people and their gods are immediate neighbors with whom Israel will interact daily, or distant nations whose practices are known through trade or reputation, the allure of their deities will be present. This emphasizes the inescapable nature of the spiritual challenge.
* **"from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth":** This final, sweeping statement reinforces the absolute universality and pervasiveness of the idolatrous threat. It signifies that there is no place on earth free from the worship of false gods, and thus, no place where Israel can escape the call to exclusive devotion to Yahweh. It underscores the global spiritual battle in which Israel is called to stand unique.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 13:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Merism**, seen in the phrases "nigh unto thee, or far off from thee" and "from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth." Merism uses two contrasting or opposite parts to represent a whole, emphasizing totality. Here, it vividly portrays the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the idolatrous temptation, suggesting it comes from every conceivable direction and distance. This is further amplified by **Hyperbole**, particularly in "from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth," which is an exaggeration used for emphasis. It is not meant literally to mean every single corner of the globe, but rather to impress upon the audience the vastness and ubiquity of the challenge. The verse also functions as a **Warning** and **Exhortation**, implicitly calling Israel to steadfastness and exclusive devotion in the face of such widespread pressure, thereby setting the stage for the severe penalties outlined in the surrounding verses for those who succumb to these temptations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 13:7 is a crucial text for understanding the biblical emphasis on monotheism and the dangers of idolatry. It highlights that the spiritual battle for the human heart is not confined to specific geographical or cultural boundaries, but is a pervasive reality. The temptation to worship anything other than the one true God, whether it be literal idols, human philosophies, or even the self, is a constant threat to covenant fidelity. This verse underscores God's absolute demand for exclusive devotion, revealing His holy jealousy for His people's worship and His commitment to preserving their unique identity as a nation set apart for Him. It teaches that true worship is not merely an act but a state of being, requiring constant discernment and resistance against all competing allegiances that claim ultimate authority or offer false promises of fulfillment.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment: No Other Gods")
* [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema: Hear, O Israel")
* [1 Corinthians 10:14](/1_corinthians/10-14 "1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 13:7, while rooted in ancient Israel's context, resonates with profound relevance for believers today. The "gods of the people" may no longer be carved statues of Baal or Asherah, but the principle remains: anything that competes for our ultimate allegiance, trust, and worship becomes an idol. This can manifest as the relentless pursuit of wealth, status, pleasure, or even the worship of self, ideologies, or political systems. The warning that these temptations come from "nigh unto thee, or far off from thee" reminds us that idolatry can arise from our immediate cultural circles, social media, global trends, or even subtle influences within our own hearts. We are called to cultivate a discerning spirit, constantly evaluating where our ultimate hopes, fears, and desires are placed. This verse challenges us to examine our lives for any subtle or overt forms of idolatry that might draw our hearts away from the exclusive worship of God, urging us to maintain steadfast and undivided devotion to Him amidst a world that offers countless alternatives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gods" in contemporary society, whether "nigh unto you" (e.g., peer pressure, family expectations) or "far off" (e.g., global trends, media narratives), compete for your ultimate allegiance and worship?**
* **How does the pervasive nature of temptation described in this verse inform your understanding of spiritual warfare in your daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can you ensure your devotion remains exclusively to God, resisting the subtle or overt pull of modern idolatries?**

### FAQ
**What constitutes "idolatry" for a modern believer, given that we don't typically worship physical statues?**

Answer: For a modern believer, idolatry extends beyond the literal worship of physical statues to anything that takes the place of God in one's life, demanding ultimate allegiance, trust, or devotion. This can include the pursuit of money, power, fame, pleasure, or even the worship of self, human ideologies, relationships, or career success. As [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things") warns, greed is idolatry, but the principle applies more broadly to anything that becomes an ultimate concern or source of security apart from God. Deuteronomy 13:7's emphasis on temptations from "nigh unto thee, or far off from thee" means these idols can emerge from immediate cultural pressures or global trends, subtly or overtly drawing our hearts away from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 13:7, with its stark warning against the pervasive nature of idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Israel's constant struggle to maintain exclusive devotion to Yahweh, often failing due to the allure of "gods of the people," points to humanity's inherent tendency to worship creation rather than the Creator. Christ, as the perfect Israelite and the embodiment of God Himself, perfectly fulfilled the command to worship God alone, resisting every temptation to compromise His allegiance ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). In Him, the demand for exclusive devotion is not merely a legalistic requirement but a relational reality, for He is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")), the sole mediator between God and humanity. Believers are now called to fix their eyes on Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")), recognizing that true freedom from idolatry comes not through mere willpower but through union with Him, who delivers us from the power of sin and false gods. The New Testament echoes this warning, urging believers to "flee from idolatry" ([1 Corinthians 10:14](/1_corinthians/10-14 "1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from Idolatry")) and to "keep yourselves from idols" ([1 John 5:21](/1_john/5-21 "1 John 5:21 - Keep Yourselves from Idols")), knowing that in Christ, we have found the one true God worthy of all worship and devotion, transcending all geographical and cultural boundaries.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.