Deuteronomy 6:15
What does Deuteronomy 6:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Deuteronomy 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Deuteronomy 6:15 means
The reason for the strict prohibition against other gods is Jehovah's nature as a "jealous God." This divine jealousy is not a human emotion of envy but a righteous zeal for His own honor and the exclusive allegiance of His people. Because He dwells in their midst, He will not tolerate rivals. If provoked by idolatry, His anger will be kindled, leading to their destruction and expulsion from the land, demonstrating the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for Jehovah thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God; lest the anger of Jehovah thy God be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611(For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for Jehovah thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God; lest the anger of Jehovah thy God be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the Lord your God who is with you is a God who will not let his honour be given to another; or the wrath of the Lord will be burning against you, causing your destruction from the face of the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for a zealous God <FI>is<Fi> Jehovah thy God in thy midst--lest the anger of Jehovah thy God burn against thee, and He hath destroyed thee from off the face of the ground.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because the Lord thy God is a jealous God in the midst of thee: lest at any time the wrath of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and take thee away from the face of the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for Jehovah thyGod is a jealousGod in thy midst; lest the anger of Jehovah thyGod be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from the face of the earth.
Context
This verse explains *why* the prohibition against other gods (verse 14) is so severe, detailing God's character as a "jealous God." It outlines the direct and terrible consequence of idolatry—His anger and their destruction. This powerful warning sets the tone for the subsequent command in verse 16 to avoid testing God, further emphasizing the gravity of their covenant relationship and the necessity of obedience.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 36:16
but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until the wrath of Jehovah arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
- Psalms 90:7
For we are consumed in thine anger, And in thy wrath are we troubled.
- Deuteronomy 11:17
and the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and he shut up the heavens, so that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield its fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which Jehovah giveth you.
- Exodus 20:5
thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me,
- Deuteronomy 5:9
thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me;
- Exodus 32:12
Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, saying, For evil did he bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.
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