Deuteronomy 11:16
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Original Language Analysis
הִשָּֽׁמְר֣וּ
Take heed
H8104
הִשָּֽׁמְר֣וּ
Take heed
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פֶּ֥ן
H6435
פֶּ֥ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יִפְתֶּ֖ה
be not deceived
H6601
יִפְתֶּ֖ה
be not deceived
Strong's:
H6601
Word #:
4 of 11
to open, i.e., be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral sense) to be (causatively, make) simple or (in a sinister way)
לְבַבְכֶ֑ם
to yourselves that your heart
H3824
לְבַבְכֶ֑ם
to yourselves that your heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
5 of 11
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וְסַרְתֶּ֗ם
and ye turn aside
H5493
וְסַרְתֶּ֗ם
and ye turn aside
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
6 of 11
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙
and serve
H5647
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
7 of 11
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Hebrews 3:12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.Hebrews 2:1Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.Job 31:27And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:Deuteronomy 29:18Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;James 1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.Isaiah 44:20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?1 John 5:21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.Deuteronomy 8:19And 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.Deuteronomy 30:17But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;Deuteronomy 4:23Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
Historical Context
Israel's history validated this warning repeatedly. Judges records cycles of prosperity → apostasy → oppression → repentance. Solomon's wealth led to diplomatic marriages and tolerated idolatry (1 Kings 11). The Northern Kingdom's agricultural prosperity under Jeroboam II coincided with rampant injustice and Baalism (Amos, Hosea). Prosperity without vigilance breeds spiritual disaster.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is the heart so easily deceived during prosperous times?
- What 'other gods' (career, comfort, security, pleasure) tempt modern Christians away from exclusive devotion to God?
- What spiritual disciplines help guard against heart deception and apostasy?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The warning 'Take heed to yourselves' uses the emphatic Hebrew hishamer (הִשָּׁמֶר, 'watch yourselves, be on guard'). The danger: 'lest your heart be deceived.' The Hebrew pathah (פָּתָה) means seduced, enticed, or deceived—prosperity tempts toward apostasy. The sequence is diagnostic: heart deceived → turning aside → serving other gods → worshipping them. Idolatry begins internally (heart deception) before manifesting externally (bowing down). The Decalogue's first two commandments are at stake. This verse reveals how quickly covenant faithfulness can deteriorate when prosperity creates false security.