Deuteronomy 11:28
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 23
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמְעוּ֙
if ye will not obey
H8085
תִשְׁמְעוּ֙
if ye will not obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
4 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִצְוֹת֙
the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹת֙
the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
6 of 23
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 23
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
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
out of the way
H1870
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
out of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
11 of 23
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַיּ֑וֹם
you this day
H3117
הַיּ֑וֹם
you this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לָלֶ֗כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֗כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
17 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵ֛י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֛י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
18 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 23
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
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
This warning proved prescient. Judges records repeated apostasy: 'they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth' (Judges 2:13). Both kingdoms eventually fell to idolatry: Northern Kingdom's golden calves and Baalism led to Assyrian exile (722 BC); Judah's high places and foreign gods led to Babylonian exile (586 BC). The covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 were literally fulfilled in exile horrors. Apostasy's consequences validate God's warning.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'other gods' (money, pleasure, success, ideology) tempt believers away from exclusive devotion to Christ?
- How does ingratitude (abandoning the God who saved you for unknown alternatives) characterize apostasy?
- What warning signs indicate we're 'turning aside out of the way' before complete apostasy occurs?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The curse is the alternative: 'a curse, if ye will not obey...but turn aside out of the way...to go after other gods, which ye have not known.' The condition inverts verse 27: disobedience, specifically idolatry, triggers curse. The phrase 'turn aside out of the way' (sur min-haderek, סוּר מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ) means departing from God's path. The Hebrew derek (דֶּרֶךְ, 'way') represents lifestyle and conduct (see Psalm 1:6). Following 'other gods' constitutes covenant violation deserving curse. The phrase 'which ye have not known' emphasizes these gods' foreign, alien character—Israel had experienced Yahweh's faithfulness; abandoning Him for unknown gods is ultimate folly and ingratitude.