Deuteronomy 6:15
New International Version
for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.

New Living Translation
for the LORD your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth.

English Standard Version
for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

King James Bible
(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.

New King James Version
(for the LORD your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the LORD your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth.

New American Standard Bible
for the LORD your God who is in the midst of you is a jealous God; so follow Him, or else the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

NASB 1995
for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

NASB 1977
for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God—lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and He destroy you from the face of the earth.

Amplified Bible
for the LORD your God who is among you is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His]—otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled and burn against you, and He will destroy you from the face of the earth.

Christian Standard Bible
for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise, the LORD your God will become angry with you and obliterate you from the face of the earth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise, the LORD your God will become angry with you and wipe you off the face of the earth.

American Standard Version
for 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.

Contemporary English Version
If you worship other gods, the LORD will be furious and wipe you off the face of the earth. The LORD your God is with you,

English Revised Version
for the LORD thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God; lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and he destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you do, the LORD your God will become very angry with you and will wipe you off the face of the earth, because the LORD your God, who is with you, is a God who does not tolerate rivals.

Good News Translation
If you do worship other gods, the LORD's anger will come against you like fire and will destroy you completely, because the LORD your God, who is present with you, tolerates no rivals.

International Standard Version
For the LORD your God who is among you is a jealous God. He will turn his anger against you and destroy you from the surface of the land."

Majority Standard Bible
For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.

NET Bible
for the LORD your God, who is present among you, is a jealous God and his anger will erupt against you and remove you from the land.

New Heart English Bible
for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God should be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

World English Bible
for Yahweh your God among you is a jealous God, lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for your God YHWH [is] a zealous God in your midst—lest the anger of your God YHWH burns against you, and He has destroyed you from off the face of the ground.

Young's Literal Translation
for a zealous God is 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.

Smith's Literal Translation
(For Jehovah thy God a jealous God in the midst of thee) lest the anger of Jehovah thy God shall kindle against thee and destroy thee from the face of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because 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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Lord your God is a jealous God in your midst. Otherwise, at sometime, the fury of the Lord your God may be enraged against you, and he may take you away from the face of the earth.

New American Bible
for the LORD, your God who is in your midst, is a passionate God—lest the anger of the LORD, your God, flare up against you and he destroy you from upon the land.

New Revised Standard Version
because the LORD your God, who is present with you, is a jealous God. The anger of the LORD your God would be kindled against you and he would destroy you from the face of the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
(For the LORD your God is a zealous God among you) test the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because God is jealous, LORD JEHOVAH your God in your midst, that the wrath of LORD JEHOVAH your God will not be hot upon you and destroy you from the face of the Earth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
for a jealous God, even the LORD thy God, is in the midst of thee; lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and He destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for the Lord thy God in the midst of thee is a jealous God, lest the Lord thy God be very angry with thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Greatest Commandment
14Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you. 15For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God. Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. 16Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.…

Cross References
Exodus 20:5
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,

Joshua 24:19-20
But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. / If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and consume you, even after He has been good to you.”

Judges 2:12-14
Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. / Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

1 Kings 14:22-24
And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and by the sins they committed they provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their fathers had done. / They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

2 Kings 17:18-20
So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

Psalm 78:58-59
They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols. / On hearing it, God was furious and rejected Israel completely.

Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

Jeremiah 25:6
Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands. Then I will do you no harm.’

Ezekiel 8:3-4
He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. Then the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the entrance of the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes jealousy was seated. / And there I saw the glory of the God of Israel, like the vision I had seen in the plain.

Nahum 1:2
The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.

Zephaniah 1:4-6
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests— / those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, / and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”

Matthew 4:10
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment.

Mark 12:29-30
Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’


Treasury of Scripture

(For the LORD your God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you, and destroy you from off the face of the earth.

is a jealous

Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Amos 3:2
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

lest

Deuteronomy 7:4
For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Deuteronomy 11:17
And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

Numbers 32:10-15
And the LORD'S anger was kindled the same time, and he sware, saying, …

destroy

Genesis 7:4
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Exodus 32:12
Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, 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.

1 Kings 13:34
And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

Jump to Previous
Anger Burn Burning Causing Destroy Destruction Earth Honour Jealous Kindled Midst Otherwise Wipe Wrath Zealous
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Anger Burn Burning Causing Destroy Destruction Earth Honour Jealous Kindled Midst Otherwise Wipe Wrath Zealous
Deuteronomy 6
1. The end of the law is obedience
3. An exhortation thereto
20. What they are to teach their children














For the LORD your God, who is among you,
This phrase emphasizes the immanence of God, highlighting His presence among the Israelites. In the context of Deuteronomy, Moses is reminding the Israelites of God's constant presence as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This presence is a continuation of the divine guidance they experienced during the Exodus and their journey through the wilderness. Theologically, this underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God dwells among them, as seen in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8). This presence is a precursor to the New Testament revelation of God dwelling among humanity through Jesus Christ (John 1:14).

is a jealous God.
The term "jealous" here refers to God's zealous protection of His covenant relationship with Israel. It is not jealousy in the human sense of envy but rather a divine attribute that demands exclusive worship and loyalty. This reflects the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and underscores the seriousness of idolatry. The cultural context of the ancient Near East was rife with polytheism, and this declaration sets Yahweh apart as the one true God who requires undivided devotion. This jealousy is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to fidelity in their relationship with God (James 4:4-5).

Otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you,
This phrase warns of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry. The "anger of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often resulting in divine judgment. This anger is not capricious but is a response to covenant unfaithfulness. Historical instances, such as the Babylonian exile, illustrate the fulfillment of such warnings when Israel turned to other gods. Theologically, this reflects God's holiness and justice, which cannot tolerate sin. In the New Testament, the concept of divine wrath is fulfilled in Christ, who bears the penalty for sin (Romans 5:9).

and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.
This severe warning underscores the seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness. The phrase "wipe you off the face of the earth" is a hyperbolic expression indicating total destruction, similar to the fate of the Canaanite nations that Israel was to dispossess (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). This reflects the Deuteronomic theme of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). Historically, this was realized in events like the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. In a broader biblical context, it points to the ultimate judgment and separation from God for those who reject Him, contrasted with the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ (John 3:36).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is described as a "jealous God," emphasizing His desire for exclusive devotion from His people.

2. Israel
The chosen people of God, who are being warned against idolatry and unfaithfulness.

3. Canaan
The land into which Israel is entering, filled with pagan nations and their gods, posing a temptation for Israel to stray from Yahweh.

4. Moses
The leader of Israel, delivering God's commandments and warnings to the people.

5. The Covenant
The agreement between God and Israel, which includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Teaching Points
God's Jealousy and Holiness
God's jealousy is rooted in His holiness and His rightful expectation of exclusive worship from His people. Understanding this helps us appreciate the seriousness of idolatry and unfaithfulness.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes the place of God in our hearts. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing idols in our lives.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The warning of being "wiped off the face of the earth" underscores the severe consequences of turning away from God. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience.

The Presence of God
The phrase "in your midst" highlights God's intimate presence with His people. This should encourage us to live in a way that honors His presence in our lives.

Covenant Faithfulness
Our relationship with God is based on a covenant that requires faithfulness. Reflecting on this can inspire us to renew our commitment to God and His commandments.(15) From off the face of the earth.--Literally, of the ground. Absolute extermination is threatened by the fire of His jealousy.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

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

your God,
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

who is among you,
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ (bə·qir·be·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

is a jealous
קַנָּ֛א (qan·nā)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7067: Jealous

God.
אֵ֥ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

Otherwise,
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

the anger
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

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

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will be kindled against you,
יֶ֠חֱרֶה (ye·ḥĕ·reh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

and He will wipe you
וְהִשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔ (wə·hiš·mî·ḏə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

off
מֵעַ֖ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the face
פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the earth.
הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 6:15 For Yahweh your God in the midst (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 6:14
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