Deuteronomy 17:3
New International Version
and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky,

New Living Translation
For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden.

English Standard Version
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden,

Berean Standard Bible
and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden—

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
who has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded,

New American Standard Bible
and that person has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, the moon, or any of the heavenly lights, which I have commanded not to do,

NASB 1995
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded,

NASB 1977
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded,

Legacy Standard Bible
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded,

Amplified Bible
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, [doing these things] which I have commanded not to do,

Christian Standard Bible
and has gone to serve other gods by bowing in worship to the sun, moon, or all the stars in the sky —which I have forbidden —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and has gone to worship other gods by bowing down to the sun, moon, or all the stars in the sky—which I have forbidden—

American Standard Version
and hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

English Revised Version
and hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
by worshiping and bowing down to other gods, the sun, the moon, or the whole army of heaven. I have forbidden this.

Good News Translation
by worshiping and serving other gods or the sun or the moon or the stars, contrary to the LORD's command.

International Standard Version
He may be following and serving other gods by bowing down to them—that is, to the sun, the moon, or to any of the heavenly host (something I did not command).

Majority Standard Bible
and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven?which I have forbidden?

NET Bible
by serving other gods and worshiping them--the sun, moon, or any other heavenly bodies which I have not permitted you to worship.

New Heart English Bible
and has gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

Webster's Bible Translation
And hath gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

World English Bible
and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars of the sky, which I have not commanded,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he goes and serves other gods, and bows himself to them, and to the sun, or to the moon, or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded,

Young's Literal Translation
and he doth go and serve other gods, and doth bow himself to them, and to the sun, or to the moon, or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded --

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will go and serve other gods and will worship to them, and to the sun or to the moon, or to any of the army of the heavens, which I commanded not;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So as to go and serve strange gods, and adore them, the sun and the moon. and all the host of heaven, which I have not commanded:

Catholic Public Domain Version
so as to go and serve foreign gods and adore them, such as the sun and the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not instructed,

New American Bible
by going to serve other gods, by bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, contrary to my command;

New Revised Standard Version
by going to serve other gods and worshiping them—whether the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And shall go and serve other gods and worship them, either the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And will go and serve other gods and will worship them, or the sun, or the moon, or all the host of Heaven, that I have not commanded;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have commanded not;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and they should go and serve other gods, and worship them, the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which he commanded thee not to do,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Purge the Idolater
2If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant 3and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven— which I have forbidden 4and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,…

Cross References
Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Leviticus 19:4
Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods. I am the LORD your God.

2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.

Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”

Ezekiel 8:16
So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun.

1 Kings 11:4-8
For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. / Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. / So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely. ...

2 Chronicles 33:3-5
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. / Manasseh also built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” / In both courtyards of the house of the LORD, he built altars to all the host of heaven.

Isaiah 44:19
And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”

Jeremiah 8:2
They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.

Hosea 4:13
They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

Acts 7:42-43
But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Galatians 4:8
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.


Treasury of Scripture

And has 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;

the sun

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.

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.

Job 31:26,27
If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; …

which

Jeremiah 7:22,23,31
For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: …

Jeremiah 19:5
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:

Jeremiah 32:35
And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

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Army Bow Boweth Bowing Command Commanded Contrary Either Heaven Heavenly Heavens Host Moon Orders Servant Serve Served Serveth Sky Stars Sun Whole Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping
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Army Bow Boweth Bowing Command Commanded Contrary Either Heaven Heavenly Heavens Host Moon Orders Servant Serve Served Serveth Sky Stars Sun Whole Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping
Deuteronomy 17
1. The things sacrificed must be sound
2. Idolaters must be slain
8. Hard controversies are to be determined by the priests and judges
12. The one who shows contempt for the judge must die
14. The election
16. and duty of a king














and going to worship other gods
This phrase addresses the act of idolatry, which was a significant concern for the Israelites. The worship of other gods was strictly prohibited as it violated the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). The historical context reveals that the surrounding nations, such as the Canaanites, practiced polytheism, which often tempted the Israelites to stray from monotheism. This command underscores the importance of exclusive devotion to Yahweh, emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

bowing down to them
Bowing down is an act of reverence and submission, often associated with worship. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical gestures like bowing were integral to religious practices. This phrase highlights the physical act of idolatry, which was not just a matter of the heart but also involved outward expressions. The Bible consistently warns against such practices, as seen in passages like Isaiah 44:15-17, which mock the futility of idol worship.

or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven
The worship of celestial bodies was common in ancient religions, including those of Egypt and Mesopotamia. The sun and moon were often deified and associated with specific gods. This phrase indicates a broader prohibition against astral worship, which was prevalent in the ancient world. The Bible repeatedly condemns such practices (e.g., 2 Kings 23:5), emphasizing that the heavenly bodies are creations of God, not deities themselves (Genesis 1:14-19).

which I have forbidden
This phrase underscores the divine authority behind the prohibition. God's commandments are not arbitrary but are rooted in His nature and the covenant relationship with His people. The prohibition against idolatry is reiterated throughout the Old Testament, reflecting its importance in maintaining the purity and faithfulness of the Israelite community. The prophetic literature, such as Jeremiah 19:13, often calls Israel back to this foundational command, warning of the consequences of disobedience.

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. Canaan
The land the Israelites are about to enter, where the worship of celestial bodies was common among the inhabitants.

4. Other gods
Refers to the deities worshiped by surrounding nations, including celestial bodies like the sun and moon.

5. Host of heaven
A term used to describe celestial bodies, which were often deified in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is a serious offense against God, as it replaces the worship of the Creator with the creation. Believers must guard their hearts against modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or celebrity worship.

Exclusive Worship of God
God demands exclusive worship. The Israelites were to be distinct from surrounding nations by their devotion to Yahweh alone. Christians today are called to be set apart in their worship and allegiance to God.

Cultural Influence and Compromise
The Israelites were warned against adopting the practices of the Canaanites. Similarly, Christians must be vigilant against cultural influences that lead to compromise in their faith and values.

The Role of Leadership in Upholding God's Standards
Leaders in the faith community have a responsibility to teach and uphold God's standards, as Moses did. This includes addressing and correcting idolatrous practices within the community.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God's commands, particularly in worship, leads to severe consequences. Believers are reminded of the importance of obedience and the blessings that come with it.Verse 3. - (Cf. Deuteronomy 4:19.) Which I have not commanded; i.e. have forbidden, a meiosis, as in Jeremiah 7:31.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and going
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to worship
וַֽיַּעֲבֹד֙ (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

other
אֲחֵרִ֔ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other

gods,
אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

bowing down
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to them
לָהֶ֑ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

or to the sun
וְלַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ ׀ (wə·laš·še·meš)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

or
א֣וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

moon
לַיָּרֵ֗חַ (lay·yā·rê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3394: The moon

or
א֛וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

any
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of the host
צְבָ֥א (ṣə·ḇā)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

of heaven—
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I have forbidden—
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 17:3 And has gone and served other gods (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 17:2
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