Deuteronomy 28:14
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 28:14
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 28 is a covenant blessing and curse chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of prayer, redemption, love. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-68: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 28:14
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Analysis
Thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left—the condition for covenant blessing is comprehensive obedience, not deviating (lo tasur) from God's commands in any direction. The imagery of right hand or left depicts total fidelity to the covenant path, neither through addition (legalistic rigor) nor subtraction (licentious compromise).
The phrase to go after other gods to serve them (lalechet acharei elohim acherim le'ovdam) identifies the primary covenant violation: idolatry. The verb halak acharei ("go after/follow") suggests spiritual adultery—abandoning YHWH to pursue other lovers. The issue isn't merely adding foreign deities to Israel's pantheon but transferring allegiance, serving (avad) gods who didn't redeem them from Egypt.
This verse concludes the blessing section (28:1-14), setting up the lengthy curse section (28:15-68) that follows. The stark either/or structure—blessing for faithfulness, curses for apostasy—reflects covenant's binary nature. There's no neutral ground: Israel either walks YHWH's path or abandons it for idols. Deuteronomy's history validates this warning: Israel's persistent idolatry eventually brought the curses to fruition in exile.
Historical Context
The "right hand or left" metaphor appears elsewhere in Scripture for unwavering obedience (Deuteronomy 5:32, Joshua 1:7, 23:6). Israel's subsequent history tragically fulfilled Deuteronomy 28's warnings: the divided kingdom practiced syncretistic worship (mixing YHWH worship with Canaanite Baal worship), leading to Assyrian conquest (722 BCE, northern kingdom) and Babylonian exile (586 BCE, southern kingdom). The prophets consistently identified idolatry as covenant violation meriting judgment (Jeremiah 2:5-13, Hosea 2:2-13).
Reflection
- What "other gods" tempt you to divide your allegiance—money, success, relationships, comfort?
- How does Jesus's teaching that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) echo Deuteronomy 28's demand for exclusive loyalty?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Deuteronomy 5:32, 11:16
- Word: Joshua 23:6, Isaiah 30:21
- Parallel theme: 2 Kings 22:2