Deuteronomy 8:19
New International Version
If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.

New Living Translation
“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed.

English Standard Version
And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.

Berean Standard Bible
If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.

King James Bible
And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

New King James Version
Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

New American Standard Bible
And it shall come about, if you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and serve and worship them, I testify against you today that you will certainly perish.

NASB 1995
“It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.

NASB 1977
“And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it will be, if you ever forget Yahweh your God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.

Amplified Bible
And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will most certainly perish.

Christian Standard Bible
If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods to serve them and bow in worship to them, I testify against you today that you will certainly perish.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will perish.

American Standard Version
And it shall be, if thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

English Revised Version
And it shall be, if thou shalt forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I warn you today that if you forget the LORD your God and follow other gods, and if you serve them and bow down to them, you will certainly be destroyed.

Good News Translation
Never forget the LORD your God or turn to other gods to worship and serve them. If you do, then I warn you today that you will certainly be destroyed.

International Standard Version
If you neglect the LORD your God, follow other gods, and serve and worship them, I testify to you today that you will certainly be destroyed.

Majority Standard Bible
If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.

NET Bible
Now if you forget the LORD your God at all and follow other gods, worshiping and prostrating yourselves before them, I testify to you today that you will surely be annihilated.

New Heart English Bible
It shall be, if you shall forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it shall be, if thou shalt at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

World English Bible
It shall be, if you shall forget Yahweh your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it has been, if you really forget your God YHWH, and have gone after other gods, and served them, and bowed yourself to them, I have testified against you today that you utterly perish.

Young's Literal Translation
'And it hath been -- if thou really forget Jehovah thy God, and hast gone after other gods, and served them, and bowed thyself to them, I have testified against you to-day that ye do utterly perish;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was, if forgetting, thou shalt forget Jehovah thy God, and thou wentest after other gods, and served them and worshipped to them, I testified against you this day, that perishing, ye shall perish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou forget the Lord thy God, and follow strange gods, and serve and adore them: behold now I foretell thee that thou shalt utterly perish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you forget the Lord your God, so that you follow foreign gods, and serve and adore them: behold, I now foretell to you that you shall utterly perish.

New American Bible
But if you do forget the LORD, your God, and go after other gods, serving and bowing down to them, I bear witness to you this day that you will perish utterly.

New Revised Standard Version
If you do forget the LORD your God and follow other gods to serve and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if you do forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them. I have testified against you this day that you shall surely perish.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if you forget LORD JEHOVAH your God and you go after other gods, and you will serve them and you will worship them, I testify to you today that you shall certainly be destroyed.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it shall be, if thou shalt forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I forewarn you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it shall come to pass if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and shouldest go after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall surely perish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Remember the LORD Your God
18But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day. 19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. 20Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:32-33
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Joshua 23:16
If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.”

1 Kings 9:6-9
But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...

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.’

Jeremiah 13:10
These evil people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who go after other gods to serve and worship them, they will be like this loincloth—of no use at all.

2 Kings 17:35-39
For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. / And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ...

2 Chronicles 7:19-22
But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...

Isaiah 1:28
But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish.

Jeremiah 7:6-7
if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, / then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.

Psalm 81:9-12
There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god. / I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. / But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. ...

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

Luke 4:8
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 10:20-22
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. / Are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?


Treasury of Scripture

And it shall be, if you do at all forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

I testify against

Deuteronomy 4:26
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

Deuteronomy 28:58-68
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; …

Deuteronomy 29:25-28
Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: …

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Bow Destroyed Destruction Perish Really Servants Serve Solemnly Surely Testify Time Today Turned Utterly Walk Warn Worship
Deuteronomy 8
1. An exhortation to obedience in regard to God's mercy and goodness to Israel.














If you ever forget the LORD your God
The phrase "forget the LORD your God" is a profound warning against spiritual amnesia. In Hebrew, the word for "forget" is "שָׁכַח" (shakach), which implies not just a lapse in memory but a willful neglect or disregard. This admonition is rooted in the historical context of Israel's journey through the wilderness, where reliance on God was paramount. Forgetting God is tantamount to ignoring His commandments and the covenant relationship established at Sinai. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continual remembrance and gratitude for God's providence and guidance.

and go after other gods
The phrase "go after other gods" reflects a deliberate pursuit of idolatry. The Hebrew verb "לָכַת" (lakach) suggests an active choice to follow or chase after something. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this was a real temptation, as surrounding nations worshiped a pantheon of deities. The Israelites were called to be distinct, serving the one true God, Yahweh. This phrase underscores the danger of syncretism and the allure of cultural assimilation, which can lead to spiritual compromise.

to worship and bow down to them
"Worship and bow down" involves acts of reverence and submission. The Hebrew words "עָבַד" (avad) for worship and "שָׁחָה" (shachah) for bowing down indicate both service and physical prostration. These actions were not merely external but signified a heart posture of allegiance and devotion. In the biblical narrative, worship is reserved for God alone, and bowing to other gods is a violation of the first commandment. This serves as a caution against idolatry in any form, whether it be materialism, power, or other modern-day "gods."

I testify against you today
The phrase "I testify against you today" is a solemn declaration. The Hebrew word "עוּד" (ud) for testify implies a formal witness or warning. Moses, as the leader and prophet, stands as a witness to the covenant, reminding the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience. This legal language reflects the covenantal framework of Deuteronomy, where blessings and curses are set before the people. It emphasizes the seriousness of the commitment to God and the accountability that comes with it.

that you will surely perish
"You will surely perish" is a stark warning of the consequences of idolatry. The Hebrew phrase "אָבַד תֹּאבֵדוּן" (avad tovedun) uses a doubling of the verb to intensify the certainty of the outcome. Perishing here is not just physical death but implies spiritual ruin and separation from God. Historically, this foreshadows the eventual exile of Israel due to their persistent idolatry. It serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of faithfulness to God.

Verses 19, 20. - Moses enforces his counsel by reminding them again that only destruction awaited them should they forget the Lord their God and apostatize from him (cf. Deuteronomy 4:25, etc.; Deuteronomy 6:14).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you ever forget
שָׁכֹ֤חַ (šā·ḵō·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

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

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

and go
וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֗ (wə·hā·laḵ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

after
אַחֲרֵי֙ (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

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

to worship
וַעֲבַדְתָּ֖ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

and bow down to them,
וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֣יתָ (wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

I testify
הַעִדֹ֤תִי (ha·‘i·ḏō·ṯî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore

against you today
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you will surely
אָבֹ֖ד (’ā·ḇōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

perish.
תֹּאבֵדֽוּן׃ (tō·ḇê·ḏūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 8:19 It shall be if you shall forget (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 8:18
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