Focused Passage

Deuteronomy 4:15-24

Hear, Obey, and Do Not Forget: The Incomparable God and His Word

From the command to keep the statutes as the condition of life (vv. 1-8), through the memory command and image prohibition rooted in the Horeb event (vv. 9-24), to the projection of exile and return (vv. 25-31), and finally to the climactic argument for exclusive loyalty from the incomparability of the LORD (vv. 32-40) — the chapter moves from obligation through history through warning through doxology.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

15 So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful

16 that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female,

17 of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

18 or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below.

19 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.

20 Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.

21 The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

22 For I will not be crossing the Jordan, because I must die in this land. But you shall cross over and take possession of that good land.

23 Be careful that you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God that He made with you; do not make an idol for yourselves in the form of anything He has forbidden you.

24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 15

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 12:29 BSB references Ezekiel 6 BSB references Exodus 20:4 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:9 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:12 Classic cross-references Exodus 23:13 Classic cross-references Isaiah 40:25 Classic cross-references

Original words

So since כִּ֣י H3588 Conjunction you saw רְאִיתֶם֙ H7200 Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural no לֹ֤א H3808 Adverb - Negative particle form תְּמוּנָ֔ה H8544 Noun - feminine singular of any kind כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct on the day בְּי֗וֹם H3117 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular the LORD יְהוָ֧ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular spoke דִּבֶּ֨ר H1696 Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular to you אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם H413 Preposition | second person masculine plural out of מִתּ֥וֹךְ H8432 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct the fire הָאֵֽשׁ׃ H784 Article | Noun - common singular at Horeb בְּחֹרֵ֖ב H2722 Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular be careful וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם H8104 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural . . . לְנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם H5315 Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural . . . מְאֹ֖ד H3966 Adverb

Verse 16

Cross-references

Acts 17:29 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:25 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 27:15 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:23 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 5:8 Classic cross-references

Original words

that you do not פֶּ֨ן־ H6435 Conjunction act corruptly תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן H7843 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun and make וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֥ם H6213 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural an idol פֶּ֖סֶל H6459 Noun - masculine singular for yourselves לָכֶ֛ם Preposition | second person masculine plural of any form תְּמוּנַ֣ת H8544 Noun - feminine singular construct or כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct shape סָ֑מֶל H5566 Noun - masculine singular whether in the likeness תַּבְנִ֥ית H8403 Noun - feminine singular construct of a male זָכָ֖ר H2145 Noun - masculine singular or א֥וֹ H176 Conjunction female נְקֵבָֽה׃ H5347 Noun - feminine singular

Verse 17

Cross-references

Romans 1:23 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 27:5 Classic cross-references

Original words

- תַּבְנִ֕ית H8403 Noun - feminine singular construct of any כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct beast בְּהֵמָ֖ה H929 Noun - feminine singular that [is] אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834 Pronoun - relative on the earth בָּאָ֑רֶץ H776 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular . . . תַּבְנִית֙ H8403 Noun - feminine singular construct - כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct or bird צִפּ֣וֹר H6833 Noun - common singular construct . . . כָּנָ֔ף H3671 Noun - feminine singular that אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834 Pronoun - relative flies תָּע֖וּף H5774 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular in the air בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ H8064 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural

Verse 18

Original words

[or] תַּבְנִ֕ית H8403 Noun - feminine singular construct of any כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct creature that crawls רֹמֵ֖שׂ H7430 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular on the ground בָּאֲדָמָ֑ה H127 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular . . . תַּבְנִ֛ית H8403 Noun - feminine singular construct or כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct fish דָּגָ֥ה H1710 Noun - feminine singular that [is] אֲשֶׁר־ H834 Pronoun - relative in the waters בַּמַּ֖יִם H4325 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural below מִתַּ֥חַת H8478 Preposition-m - לָאָֽרֶץ׃ H776 Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular

Verse 19

Cross-references

Genesis 1:14 Classic cross-references Romans 1:20 Classic cross-references Ezekiel 8:16 Classic cross-references Romans 1:25 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 17:3 Classic cross-references

Original words

When you look תִּשָּׂ֨א H5375 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular . . . עֵינֶ֜יךָ H5869 Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular to the heavens הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular and see וְֽ֠רָאִיתָ H7200 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the sun הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ H8121 Article | Noun - common singular and וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker moon הַיָּרֵ֜חַ H3394 Article | Noun - masculine singular - וְאֶת־ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker and stars הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים H3556 Article | Noun - masculine plural all כֹּ֚ל H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct the host צְבָ֣א H6635 Noun - common singular construct of heaven הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural do not be וּפֶן־ H6435 Conjunction enticed וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛ H5080 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular to bow down וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ H7812 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular and worship וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם H5647 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural what אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834 Pronoun - relative the LORD יְהוָ֤ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular - אֹתָ֔ם H853 Direct object marker | third person masculine plural has apportioned חָלַ֜ק H2505 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular to all לְכֹל֙ H3605 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct the nations הָֽעַמִּ֔ים H5971 Article | Noun - masculine plural - כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct under תַּ֖חַת H8478 Preposition heaven הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ H8064 Article | Noun - masculine plural

Verse 20

Cross-references

1 Peter 2:9 Classic cross-references Exodus 19:5 Classic cross-references Isaiah 48:10 Classic cross-references Exodus 6:7 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 11:4 Classic cross-references

Original words

Yet the LORD יְהוָ֔ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular has taken לָקַ֣ח H3947 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular you וְאֶתְכֶם֙ H853 Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker | second person masculine plural and brought וַיּוֹצִ֥א H3318 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular you אֶתְכֶ֛ם H853 Direct object marker | second person masculine plural out of the iron הַבַּרְזֶ֖ל H1270 Article | Noun - masculine singular furnace מִכּ֥וּר H3564 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct out of Egypt מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם H4714 Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular to be לִהְי֥וֹת H1961 Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct - ל֛וֹ Preposition | third person masculine singular the people לְעַ֥ם H5971 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct of His inheritance נַחֲלָ֖ה H5159 Noun - feminine singular as you are today כַּיּ֥וֹם H3117 Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular . . . הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088 Article | Pronoun - masculine singular

Verse 21

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 1:37 Classic cross-references Numbers 20:12 Classic cross-references Psalms 106:32 Classic cross-references 2 Peter 1:14 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 3:26 Classic cross-references

Original words

The LORD, however וַֽיהוָ֥ה H3068 Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular was angry הִתְאַנֶּף־ H599 Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person masculine singular with me בִּ֖י Preposition | first person common singular on account עַל־ H5921 Preposition of you דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם H1697 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural and He swore וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע H7650 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular that I would not לְבִלְתִּ֤י H1115 Preposition-l cross עָבְרִי֙ H5674 Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן H3383 Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular . . . וּלְבִלְתִּי־ H1115 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l to enter בֹא֙ H935 Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct . . . אֶל־ H413 Preposition the good הַטּוֹבָ֔ה H2896 Article | Adjective - feminine singular land הָאָ֣רֶץ H776 Article | Noun - feminine singular that אֲשֶׁר֙ H834 Pronoun - relative the LORD יְהוָ֣ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular is giving נֹתֵ֥ן H5414 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular you לְךָ֖ Preposition | second person masculine singular as an inheritance נַחֲלָֽה׃ H5159 Noun - feminine singular

Verse 22

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 3:25 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 3:27 Classic cross-references 2 Peter 1:13 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 12:10 Classic cross-references Hebrews 12:6 Classic cross-references

Original words

For I will not אֵינֶ֥נִּי H369 Adverb | first person common singular be crossing עֹבֵ֖ר H5674 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן H3383 Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular because כִּ֣י H3588 Conjunction I אָנֹכִ֥י H595 Pronoun - first person common singular must die מֵת֙ H4191 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular in this הַזֹּ֔את H2063 Article | Pronoun - feminine singular land בָּאָ֣רֶץ H776 Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular But you וְאַתֶּם֙ H859 Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural shall cross over עֹֽבְרִ֔ים H5674 Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural and take possession of וִֽירִשְׁתֶּ֕ם H3423 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker that הַזֹּֽאת׃ H2063 Article | Pronoun - feminine singular good הַטּוֹבָ֖ה H2896 Article | Adjective - feminine singular land הָאָ֥רֶץ H776 Article | Noun - feminine singular

Verse 23

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 6:16 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:9 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 5:2 Classic cross-references Exodus 20:4 Classic cross-references Hebrews 2:1 Classic cross-references

Original words

Be careful הִשָּׁמְר֣וּ H8104 Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural that you לָכֶ֗ם Preposition | second person masculine plural do not פֶּֽן־ H6435 Conjunction forget תִּשְׁכְּחוּ֙ H7911 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the covenant בְּרִ֤ית H1285 Noun - feminine singular construct of the LORD יְהוָה֙ H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural that אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834 Pronoun - relative He made כָּרַ֖ת H3772 Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular with you עִמָּכֶ֑ם H5973 Preposition | second person masculine plural do not make וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם H6213 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural an idol פֶּ֙סֶל֙ H6459 Noun - masculine singular for yourselves לָכֶ֥ם Preposition | second person masculine plural in the form תְּמ֣וּנַת H8544 Noun - feminine singular construct of anything כֹּ֔ל H3605 Noun - masculine singular - אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834 Pronoun - relative He יְהוָ֥ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular . . . אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular has forbidden you צִוְּךָ֖ H6680 Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular

Verse 24

Cross-references

Hebrews 12:29 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 9:3 Classic cross-references Exodus 34:14 Classic cross-references Exodus 20:5 Classic cross-references Nahum 1:6 Classic cross-references

Original words

For כִּ֚י H3588 Conjunction the LORD יְהוָ֣ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular your God אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ H430 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular is a consuming אֹכְלָ֖ה H398 Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular . . . ה֑וּא H1931 Pronoun - third person masculine singular fire אֵ֥שׁ H784 Noun - common singular a jealous קַנָּֽא׃פ H7067 Adjective - masculine singular God אֵ֖ל H410 Noun - masculine singular

BSB notes

Cited in Hebrews 12:29

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