Deuteronomy Chapter 6 · Verse 15

Authorized King James Version

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(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֥ל God H410
אֵ֥ל God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 2 of 16
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
קַנָּ֛א is a jealous H7067
קַנָּ֛א is a jealous
Strong's: H7067
Word #: 3 of 16
jealous
יְהוָ֤ה For the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה For the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 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
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ among H7130
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
פֶּן H6435
פֶּן
Strong's: H6435
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
יֶֽ֠חֱרֶה be kindled H2734
יֶֽ֠חֱרֶה be kindled
Strong's: H2734
Word #: 8 of 16
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
אַף you lest the anger H639
אַף you lest the anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָ֤ה For the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֤ה For the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 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
בָּ֔ךְ H0
בָּ֔ךְ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 16
וְהִשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔ against thee and destroy H8045
וְהִשְׁמִ֣ידְךָ֔ against thee and destroy
Strong's: H8045
Word #: 13 of 16
to desolate
מֵעַ֖ל H5921
מֵעַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 14 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֥י thee from off the face H6440
פְּנֵ֥י thee from off the face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 15 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃ of the earth H127
הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃ of the earth
Strong's: H127
Word #: 16 of 16
soil (from its general redness)

Analysis & Commentary

The warning 'the LORD thy God is a jealous God' reveals divine intolerance of rivals. God's jealousy isn't petty possessiveness but righteous zeal for His honor and His people's exclusive devotion. The threat 'lest the anger of the LORD...be kindled against thee, and destroy thee' demonstrates that covenant violation brings severe judgment. The phrase 'from off the face of the earth' indicates total destruction—exile, conquest, annihilation. This verse illustrates the Reformed doctrine that God's holiness demands justice against sin. Only Christ's substitutionary atonement satisfies divine wrath, securing believers from destruction.

Historical Context

God's jealous anger manifested repeatedly in Israel's history: plague after Baal-peor apostasy (Numbers 25:1-9), defeat at Ai after Achan's sin (Joshua 7), Assyrian exile of northern Israel (722 BC) for persistent idolatry (2 Kings 17:7-23), Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and Judah's exile (586 BC) for covenant violation (2 Kings 24-25). These historical judgments validated God's warnings and demonstrated that covenant disobedience brings destruction. Yet God preserved a remnant, maintaining His redemptive purposes.

Questions for Reflection