Deuteronomy 30:17

Authorized King James Version

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But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

Original Language Analysis

וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 10
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִפְנֶ֥ה turn away H6437
יִפְנֶ֥ה turn away
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 2 of 10
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
לְבָֽבְךָ֖ But if thine heart H3824
לְבָֽבְךָ֖ But if thine heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 3 of 10
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמָ֑ע so that thou wilt not hear H8085
תִשְׁמָ֑ע so that thou wilt not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 5 of 10
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ but shalt be drawn away H5080
וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ but shalt be drawn away
Strong's: H5080
Word #: 6 of 10
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ and worship H7812
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ and worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 7 of 10
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לֵֽאלֹהִ֥ים gods H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֥ים gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 10
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
אֲחֵרִ֖ים other H312
אֲחֵרִ֖ים other
Strong's: H312
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc
וַֽעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃ and serve H5647
וַֽעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃ and serve
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 10 of 10
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

Analysis & Commentary

But if thine heart turn away (כִּי־יִפְנֶה לְבָבְךָ ki-yifneh levavkha)—panah means to turn or turn aside, while levav (heart) represents the inner will and affections. Apostasy begins internally before manifesting in external idolatry. So that thou wilt not hear—the Hebrew shema means not just auditory perception but covenantal obedience and allegiance. Refusing to "hear" God's voice means rejecting His authority.

Be drawn away, and worship other gods—shadach (drawn away) suggests seduction or enticement, picturing idolatry as spiritual adultery. The progression is clear: heart turns → refuses to hear → gets drawn away → worships false gods → serves them. This diagnostic sequence exposes how apostasy unfolds incrementally, beginning with subtle heart-drift long before open rebellion. Paul echoes this in Romans 1:21-25, showing the devolutionary spiral from rejecting God to idolatry to moral chaos.

Historical Context

Moses addresses the second generation on the threshold of Canaan (1406 BC), warning against the syncretism that would plague Israel throughout the conquest and monarchy periods. Canaanite fertility cults (Baal, Asherah) would prove a constant temptation, mixing Yahweh worship with pagan ritual. This warning proved tragically prophetic—Israel's persistent idolatry led to exile exactly as Moses predicted. The verse's psychological insight (heart turning precedes action) reflects Moses' pastoral wisdom.

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