Deuteronomy 4:19

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:19 serves as a stern warning from Moses to the Israelites, urging them to remain steadfast in their exclusive worship of the one true God and to resist the pervasive idolatry of the surrounding nations.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' second great discourse to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. Having witnessed the consequences of disobedience during the wilderness wandering, Moses passionately reiterates the importance of the covenant established at Mount Horeb (Sinai). He emphasizes Israel's unique relationship with the LORD, contrasting it sharply with the pagan practices prevalent in the ancient Near East, where celestial bodies were often deified and worshipped. The immediate context warns against making graven images, and this verse specifically addresses the temptation to worship the sun, moon, and stars.

Key Themes

  • Warning Against Idolatry: The primary message is a strong prohibition against worshipping anything other than the LORD God. The "host of heaven"—a term referring to the sun, moon, and stars—were common objects of worship among pagan cultures, seen as deities controlling destiny or representing divine power. Moses makes it clear that these are merely creations, not the Creator.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Monotheism: The verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation. He is the one who "hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven" these celestial bodies. This means the sun, moon, and stars exist and move according to God's design, not as independent gods. For Israel, their God is unique; there is no other worthy of worship, a foundational principle of biblical monotheism.
  • The Danger of Visual Temptation: "Lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest..." speaks to the powerful visual appeal of celestial bodies and the human tendency to worship what is seen and perceived as powerful, rather than the unseen, eternal God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "all the host of heaven" (Hebrew: tzava hashshamayim) literally means "the army of the heavens" or "the multitude of the heavens." In this context, it refers to the celestial bodies—sun, moon, and stars—which were worshipped as deities by many ancient cultures. The crucial distinction here is that the LORD God "hath divided" or "allotted" these to other nations, implying His ultimate control and their subordinate status as creations, not gods. They were given to guide and illuminate, not to be adored.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 4:19 remains profoundly relevant today. While overt sun or moon worship may be less common in many societies, the principle of idolatry persists. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it wealth, career, relationships, power, self, or even intellectual pursuits—can become an idol. This verse calls believers to a radical commitment to worshiping the Creator alone, recognizing that all things are His creation and exist under His dominion. It reminds us to fix our gaze on the unseen God, rather than being "driven to worship" the visible and temporary things of this world. Our ultimate allegiance and service belong exclusively to the LORD our God.

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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

  • Romans 1:25

    Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

  • Deuteronomy 17:3

    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;

  • 2 Kings 21:3

    For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

  • Genesis 2:1

    ¶ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

  • 2 Kings 17:16

    And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.

  • Genesis 1:16

    And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also.

  • Genesis 1:18

    And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.
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