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Deuteronomy 17:3

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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;

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};

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

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—

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,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:3 delivers a stern prohibition against idolatry, specifically condemning the worship of celestial bodies. This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy that outlines laws for a just society under God's covenant, including judicial procedures and warnings against practices that would corrupt Israel's unique relationship with the Lord.

Context

This verse is found within a passage (Deuteronomy 17:2-7) that details the judicial process for dealing with individuals who violate the covenant by engaging in idolatry. It underscores the severity of this sin in ancient Israel, where devotion to Yahweh alone was the cornerstone of their national identity and prosperity. The surrounding cultures of the Ancient Near East frequently deified natural phenomena, including the sun, moon, and stars, making this command a crucial distinction for Israel as a monotheistic nation.

Key Themes

  • Exclusive Worship of God: The core message is the absolute prohibition of worshipping any entity other than the Lord God. This aligns with the First Commandment given at Sinai: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
  • Rejection of Astral Worship: Specifically targets the common pagan practice of worshipping the "host of heaven" (celestial bodies). This was a major form of idolatry in surrounding nations, believed to influence human destiny.
  • Divine Authority: The phrase "which I have not commanded" emphasizes that true worship is only that which God Himself has ordained. Any other form of worship is an affront to His sovereignty and a violation of the covenant.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "host of heaven" in Hebrew, tzva hashamayim (צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם), refers to the celestial bodies – the stars, planets, and other heavenly luminaries. In many ancient religions, these were seen as deities or dwelling places of deities, and their movements were often interpreted as divine messages or portents. For Israel, however, these were merely creations of God, not to be worshipped themselves. This term also appears in other contexts, sometimes referring to angelic beings, but here it clearly denotes the physical heavenly bodies.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 17:3 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of idolatry. While modern society may not typically worship the sun or moon literally, the principle remains profoundly relevant. Idolatry today often takes the form of placing ultimate trust, devotion, or pursuit in things other than God—such as money, power, fame, comfort, relationships, or even personal achievements. This verse calls believers to examine their hearts and ensure that God alone holds the supreme place of worship and allegiance. It reinforces the call to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might, as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:5.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Jeremiah 7:31 (4 votes)

    And they have built the high places of Tophet, which [is] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded [them] not, neither came it into my heart.

  • Job 31:26 (3 votes)

    If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking [in] brightness;

  • Job 31:27 (3 votes)

    And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

  • Jeremiah 19:5 (3 votes)

    They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire [for] burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake [it], neither came [it] into my mind:

  • Jeremiah 32:35 (3 votes)

    And they built the high places of Baal, which [are] in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through [the fire] unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

  • Jeremiah 7:22 (3 votes)

    For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

  • Jeremiah 7:23 (3 votes)

    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.