Deuteronomy 13:17
New International Version
and none of the condemned things are to be found in your hands. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you. He will increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your ancestors—

New Living Translation
Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a large nation, just as he swore to your ancestors.

English Standard Version
None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he swore to your fathers,

Berean Standard Bible
Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers,

King James Bible
And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

New King James Version
So none of the accursed things shall remain in your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger and show you mercy, have compassion on you and multiply you, just as He swore to your fathers,

New American Standard Bible
Nothing at all from what is designated for destruction is to cling to your hand, in order that the LORD may turn from His burning anger and show mercy to you, and have compassion on you and make you increase, just as He has sworn to your fathers,

NASB 1995
“Nothing from that which is put under the ban shall cling to your hand, in order that the LORD may turn from His burning anger and show mercy to you, and have compassion on you and make you increase, just as He has sworn to your fathers,

NASB 1977
“And nothing from that which is put under the ban shall cling to your hand, in order that the LORD may turn from His burning anger and show mercy to you, and have compassion on you and make you increase, just as He has sworn to your fathers,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now nothing from that which is devoted to destruction shall cling to your hand, in order that Yahweh may turn from His burning anger and grant compassion to you and show compassion to you and make you multiply, just as He has sworn to your fathers,

Amplified Bible
Nothing from that which is put under the ban (designated for destruction) shall cling to your hand, so that the LORD may turn away from His burning anger and show mercy to you, and have compassion on you and make you increase, just as He swore to your fathers,

Christian Standard Bible
Nothing set apart for destruction is to remain in your hand, so that the LORD will turn from his burning anger and grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as he swore to your ancestors.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Nothing set apart for destruction is to remain in your hand, so that the LORD will turn from His burning anger and grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers.

American Standard Version
And there shall cleave nought of the devoted thing to thy hand; that Jehovah may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

English Revised Version
And there shall cleave nought of the devoted thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't ever take any of the things claimed for destruction. Then the LORD will stop being angry and will show you mercy. In his mercy he will make your population increase, as he swore to your ancestors.

Good News Translation
Do not keep for yourselves anything that was condemned to destruction, and then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and show you mercy. He will be merciful to you and make you a numerous people, as he promised your ancestors,

International Standard Version
Moreover, you must never take any item from those condemned things, so the LORD may yet relent from his burning anger and extend compassion, have mercy, and cause you to increase in number—as he promised by an oath to your ancestors—

Majority Standard Bible
Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers,

NET Bible
You must not take for yourself anything that has been placed under judgment. Then the LORD will relent from his intense anger, show you compassion, have mercy on you, and multiply you as he promised your ancestors.

New Heart English Bible
Nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand; that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show you mercy, and have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;

Webster's Bible Translation
And there shall cleave naught of the cursed thing to thy hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn to thy fathers;

World English Bible
Nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, that Yahweh may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy, and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and nothing from any of that [which is] devoted stays in your hand, so that YHWH turns back from the fierceness of His anger, and has given mercies to you, and loved you, and multiplied you, as He has sworn to your fathers,

Young's Literal Translation
and there doth not cleave to thy hand any of the devoted thing, so that Jehovah doth turn back from the fierceness of His anger, and hath given to thee mercies, and loved thee, and multiplied thee, as He hath sworn to thy fathers,

Smith's Literal Translation
And there shall not cleave upon their hand any thing from that devoted to destruction: so that Jehovah shall turn back from the burning of his anger and give to thee mercy, and compassionate thee, as he sware to thy fathers;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there shall nothing of that anathema stick to thy hand: that the Lord may turn from the wrath of his fury, and may have mercy on thee, and multiply thee as he swore to thy fathers,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there shall remain nothing of that anathema in your hand, so that the Lord may turn from the wrath of his fury, and may take pity on you, and may multiply you, just as he swore to your fathers,

New American Bible
You shall not hold on to anything that is under the ban; then the LORD will turn from his burning anger and show you mercy, and in showing you mercy multiply you as he swore to your ancestors,

New Revised Standard Version
Do not let anything devoted to destruction stick to your hand, so that the LORD may turn from his fierce anger and show you compassion, and in his compassion multiply you, as he swore to your ancestors,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there shall not cleave to your hand anything of the cursed spoil; that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion upon you and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And nothing of the cursed place shall stick to your hand, so that LORD JEHOVAH may turn from the heat of his wrath and he will give mercy to you and he will have mercy upon you and he will show compassion to you and he will multiply you as He swore to your forefathers;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there shall cleave nought of the devoted thing to thy hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger, and show thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there shall nothing of the cursed thing cleave to thy hand, that the Lord may turn from his fierce anger, and shew thee mercy, and pity thee, and multiply thee, as he sware to thy fathers;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Idolatrous Cities to Be Destroyed
16And you are to gather all its plunder in the middle of the public square, and completely burn the city and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD your God. The city must remain a mound of ruins forever, never to be rebuilt. 17Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers, 18because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all His commandments I am giving you today and doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD your God.…

Cross References
Joshua 6:18-19
But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it. / For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.”

Joshua 7:1
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.

Joshua 7:11-12
Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions. / This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

Joshua 7:24-26
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor. / “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies. / And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.

1 Samuel 15:3
Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

1 Samuel 15:9
Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

1 Samuel 15:18-19
and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’ / So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

1 Kings 20:42
And the prophet said to the king, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have let slip from your hand the man I had devoted to destruction, your life will be exchanged for his life, and your people for his people.’”

2 Kings 23:26-27
Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the fury of His burning anger, which was kindled against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke Him to anger. / For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’”

Isaiah 13:17-19
Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. / Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. / And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jeremiah 50:13
Because of the wrath of the LORD, she will not be inhabited; she will become completely desolate. All who pass through Babylon will be horrified and will hiss at all her wounds.

Ezekiel 7:19
They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.

Ezekiel 24:13-14
Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided. / I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming, and I will act. I will not refrain or show pity, nor will I relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Matthew 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. / And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.

Matthew 18:8-9
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. / And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.


Treasury of Scripture

And there shall stick nothing of the cursed thing to your hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and show you mercy, and have compassion on you, and multiply you, as he has sworn to your fathers;

cleave

Deuteronomy 7:26
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Joshua 6:18
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

cursed.

Leviticus 27:28,29
Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD…

1 Corinthians 16:22
If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

the Lord

Joshua 6:26
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Joshua 7:26
And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.

and shew

Exodus 20:6
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Lamentations 3:32
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

and multiply

Ezekiel 37:26
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

as he hath

Genesis 22:16,17
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: …

Genesis 26:4,24
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; …

Genesis 28:14
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Jump to Previous
Anger Ban Burning Cleave Cling Compassion Condemned Cursed Devoted Hand Hands Heat Increase Mercy Multiply Naught Nought Numbers Order Promised Show Swore Sworn Turn Turned Yourselves
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Anger Ban Burning Cleave Cling Compassion Condemned Cursed Devoted Hand Hands Heat Increase Mercy Multiply Naught Nought Numbers Order Promised Show Swore Sworn Turn Turned Yourselves
Deuteronomy 13
1. Enticers to idolatry
6. however near to oneself
9. are to be stoned to death
12. Idolatrous cities are not to be spared














Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands
This phrase refers to the command that Israelites must completely destroy anything associated with idolatry or pagan worship. In the context of Deuteronomy, this is part of the instructions for dealing with cities that have turned to idol worship. The term "devoted to destruction" (Hebrew: "herem") indicates something set apart for complete destruction as an offering to God. This reflects the seriousness of idolatry and the need for purity among God's people. The command to not let anything cling to their hands emphasizes the need for total separation from sin and idolatry, echoing the call for holiness found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus 19:2).

so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger
This phrase highlights the conditional nature of God's relationship with Israel. God's anger is described as "fierce," indicating the severity of His response to sin, particularly idolatry, which is seen as spiritual adultery. The turning away of God's anger is contingent upon Israel's obedience to His commands. This reflects the covenantal relationship where blessings and curses are dependent on Israel's faithfulness (Deuteronomy 28). The concept of God's anger turning away is also seen in other scriptures, such as Jonah 3:9-10, where Nineveh's repentance leads to God relenting from disaster.

grant you mercy
Mercy is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's character as compassionate and forgiving. The granting of mercy here is contingent upon Israel's obedience and repentance. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where God's mercy is extended to those who turn back to Him (e.g., Psalm 103:8-13). The Hebrew word for mercy, "racham," conveys deep compassion and love, akin to a parent's love for a child. This promise of mercy underscores the hope of restoration and forgiveness.

show you compassion
Compassion, closely related to mercy, emphasizes God's tender care and concern for His people. The promise of compassion is a reassurance of God's willingness to restore and bless His people despite their failures. This reflects the nature of God as described in Exodus 34:6-7, where He is "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." The call to show compassion is also a model for how God's people are to treat others, as seen in the teachings of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 9:36).

and multiply you as He swore to your fathers
This phrase connects to the Abrahamic covenant, where God promised to multiply Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:2, 15:5). The multiplication of Israel is both a literal promise of numerous descendants and a metaphor for blessing and prosperity. This promise is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God, reflecting the covenantal theme of blessings for obedience. The fulfillment of this promise is seen in the growth of Israel as a nation and is ultimately fulfilled in the spiritual descendants of Abraham through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:29).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Devoted to Destruction
Refers to items or people that are to be completely destroyed as an act of devotion to God, often related to idolatry or pagan practices.

5. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is delivering these commands through Moses.
Teaching Points
Complete Obedience
God requires complete obedience to His commands, especially regarding idolatry and sin. Partial obedience is disobedience.

Holiness and Separation
Believers are called to be holy and separate from sin, just as the Israelites were to be separate from the pagan practices around them.

God's Mercy and Compassion
Obedience leads to experiencing God's mercy and compassion, as He desires to bless and multiply His people.

Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience can lead to God's anger and the loss of His blessings, as seen in the history of Israel.

Devotion to God
Our lives should be wholly devoted to God, removing anything that hinders our relationship with Him.(17) We seem to hear an echo of this verse in the close of the story of Achan (Joshua 7:26): "And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones, and they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger"



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Nothing
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

set apart for destruction
הַחֵ֑רֶם (ha·ḥê·rem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination

shall be found
יִדְבַּ֧ק (yiḏ·baq)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

in your hands,
בְּיָדְךָ֛ (bə·yā·ḏə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

so that
לְמַעַן֩ (lə·ma·‘an)
Conjunction
Strong's 4616: Purpose -- intent

the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will turn
יָשׁ֨וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

His fierce anger,
מֵחֲר֣וֹן (mê·ḥă·rō·wn)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2740: A burning of anger

grant
וְנָֽתַן־ (wə·nā·ṯan-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you mercy,
רַחֲמִים֙ (ra·ḥă·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden

show you compassion,
וְרִֽחַמְךָ֣ (wə·ri·ḥam·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate

and multiply you
וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָ (wə·hir·be·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He swore
נִשְׁבַּ֖ע (niš·ba‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to your fathers,
לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃ (la·’ă·ḇō·ṯe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 13:17 There shall cleave nothing of the devoted (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 13:16
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