Deuteronomy 13:4
Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
Original Language Analysis
אַֽחֲרֵ֨י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֨י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יְהוָ֧ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֛ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 15
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
תֵּלֵ֖כוּ
H1980
תֵּלֵ֖כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאֹת֣וֹ
H853
וְאֹת֣וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תִירָ֑אוּ
and fear
H3372
תִירָ֑אוּ
and fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
6 of 15
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִצְוֹתָ֤יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֤יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
8 of 15
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
תִּשְׁמֹ֙רוּ֙
him and keep
H8104
תִּשְׁמֹ֙רוּ֙
him and keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ
and obey
H8085
תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ
and obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְאֹת֥וֹ
H853
וְאֹת֥וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 10:20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.Colossians 1:10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;Jeremiah 7:23But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.1 Corinthians 6:17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.2 Kings 23:3And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.2 Chronicles 34:31And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.Deuteronomy 30:20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Deuteronomy 6:13Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Historical Context
This echoes the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) and reiterates covenant relationship's core. Following God means rejecting all alternatives—no religious pluralism or syncretism. Israel's history demonstrates failure: they repeatedly 'went after other gods' (Judges 2:12). Apostasy begins with divided affections. Jesus later declared: 'No man can serve two masters' (Matthew 6:24). Covenant relationship demands exclusive loyalty. The early church faced similar challenges—Judaizers, Gnostics, emperor worship—requiring unwavering commitment to apostolic doctrine.
Questions for Reflection
- Which aspect of this fivefold description (walk, fear, keep, obey, serve, cleave) is most challenging for you personally?
- How does cleaving to God as in marriage illustrate the exclusivity required in spiritual devotion?
- What competing voices or claims threaten to divide your loyalty to God and His word?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The positive command: 'Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.' This fivefold description defines authentic faith: walk after God (follow His ways), fear Him (reverent awe), keep commandments (obey stipulations), obey His voice (responsive hearing), serve Him (devoted worship), cleave to Him (covenant loyalty). The Hebrew dabaq (דָּבַק, cleave) describes marital fidelity—exclusive, enduring attachment. True faith is comprehensive devotion, not partial or selective. This contrasts with false prophecy's appeal to novelty or experience; authentic faith maintains covenant loyalty regardless of circumstances or competing claims.