Deuteronomy 17:3

Authorized King James Version

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And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 1 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וַֽיַּעֲבֹד֙ and served H5647
וַֽיַּעֲבֹד֙ and served
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 2 of 16
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֱלֹהִ֣ים gods H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 16
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
אֲחֵרִ֔ים other H312
אֲחֵרִ֔ים other
Strong's: H312
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ and worshipped H7812
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ and worshipped
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 5 of 16
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לָהֶ֑ם H0
לָהֶ֑ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 16
וְלַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ׀ them either the sun H8121
וְלַשֶּׁ֣מֶשׁ׀ them either the sun
Strong's: H8121
Word #: 7 of 16
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
א֣וֹ H176
א֣וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 8 of 16
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
לַיָּרֵ֗חַ or moon H3394
לַיָּרֵ֗חַ or moon
Strong's: H3394
Word #: 9 of 16
the moon
א֛וֹ H176
א֛וֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 10 of 16
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
לְכָל H3605
לְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
צְבָ֥א or any of the host H6635
צְבָ֥א or any of the host
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 12 of 16
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם of heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם of heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 13 of 16
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 14 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צִוִּֽיתִי׃ which I have not commanded H6680
צִוִּֽיתִי׃ which I have not commanded
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 16 of 16
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

Analysis & Commentary

Served other gods, and worshipped them (עָבַד, avad; שָׁחָה, shachah)—two Hebrew verbs: 'served' (enslavement, working for) and 'bowed down' (physical prostration). Idolatry involves both internal allegiance and external ritual.

Specific examples: the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven (צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם, tzeva hashamayim)—astral worship prevalent in Mesopotamia and Canaan. Star-worship appears sophisticated—observing creation's order—but which I have not commanded exposes the problem: God commands worship, not human reason or cultural practice. Romans 1:25 describes this: worshiping creation rather than Creator. Josiah's reforms targeted precisely this (2 Kings 23:5).

Historical Context

Astral deities dominated ancient Near Eastern religion: Shamash (sun god), Sin (moon god), Ishtar (Venus). These weren't primitive superstitions but sophisticated cosmologies linking celestial cycles to agriculture, governance, and fate. Israel's temptation toward astral worship intensified during Assyrian dominance (2 Kings 21:3-5). Deuteronomy 4:19 warns against this specific idolatry.

Questions for Reflection

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