Deuteronomy 6:14
What does Deuteronomy 6:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:14 means
This verse issues a clear and emphatic prohibition against polytheism. Israel is commanded not to pursue or worship the gods of the surrounding pagan peoples. This command is critical because the idolatry of their neighbors posed a constant spiritual threat, tempting Israel away from their exclusive covenant with Jehovah. It underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and distinctiveness in a land saturated with foreign worship practices.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples that are round about you;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples round about you;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862ye do not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who <FI>are<Fi> round about you;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You shall not go after the strange gods of all the nations, that are round about you:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye shall not go after othergods, of thegods of the peoples that are round about you;
Context
Following the positive command to fear and serve Jehovah alone (verse 13), this verse provides the negative counterpart: a direct prohibition against worshipping other gods. This establishes the absolute exclusivity of God's claim on Israel. The reason for this prohibition and the consequence of disobedience are immediately given in verse 15, emphasizing God's jealous nature and the danger of His wrath.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 5:21
My little children, guard yourselves from idols.
- Deuteronomy 8:19
And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
- Jeremiah 25:6
and go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the work of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
- Deuteronomy 11:28
and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
- Deuteronomy 13:7
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;
- Exodus 34:14
(for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God);
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