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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 4:19 When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars--all the host of heaven--do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/4-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/05_Deu_04_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 4:19 - Warning Against Idolatry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars--all the host of heaven--do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/4-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/4-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-18.htm" title="Deuteronomy 4:18">◄</a> Deuteronomy 4:19 <a href="/deuteronomy/4-20.htm" title="Deuteronomy 4:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New International Version</a> And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The LORD your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/4.htm">New King James Version</a> And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And be careful not to raise your eyes to heaven and look at the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the heavenly lights, and allow yourself to be drawn away and worship them and serve them, things which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And beware, lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and lest you lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which Yahweh your God has apportioned for all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And beware that you do not raise your eyes toward heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and let yourselves be led astray and worship them and serve them, [mere created bodies] which the LORD your God has allotted to [serve and benefit] all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the stars in the sky—do not be led astray to bow in worship to them and serve them. The LORD your God has provided them for all people everywhere under heaven. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the array of heaven—do not be led astray to bow down and worship them. The LORD your God has provided them for all people everywhere under heaven. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> And when you see the sun or moon or stars, don't be tempted to bow down and worship them. The LORD put them there for all the other nations to worship. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't let yourselves be tempted to worship and serve what you see in the sky-the sun, the moon, the stars, or anything else. The LORD your God has given them to all people everywhere. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do not be tempted to worship and serve what you see in the sky--the sun, the moon, and the stars. The LORD your God has given these to all other peoples for them to worship. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> Do not gaze toward the heavens and observe the sun, the moon, the stars—the entire array of the sky—with the intent to worship and serve what the LORD your God gave every nation. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/4.htm">NET Bible</a> When you look up to the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars--the whole heavenly creation--you must not be seduced to worship and serve them, for the LORD your God has assigned them to all the people of the world. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and lest you lift up your eyes to the sky, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole sky. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And lest thou shouldst lift up thy eyes to heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldst be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided to all nations under the whole heaven.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/4.htm">World English Bible</a> and lest you lift up your eyes to the sky, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the army of the sky, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Yahweh your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole sky. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and have seen the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of the heavens, and have been drawn away, and have bowed yourself to them and served them, which your God YHWH has apportioned to all the peoples under all the heavens. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And lest thou lift up thine eyes towards the heavens, and hast seen the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of the heavens, and thou hast been forced, and hast bowed thyself to them, and served them, which Jehovah thy God hath apportioned to all the peoples under the whole heavens. <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And lest thou shalt lift up thine eyes to the heavens, and seeing the sun and the moon and the stars, all the army of the heavens, and thou wert driven and didst worship to them, and didst serve them, which Jehovah thy God divided them out to all the peoples under all the heavens.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Lest perhaps lifting up thy eyes to heaven, thou see the sun and the moon, and all the stars of heaven, and being deceived by error thou adore and serve them, which the Lord thy God created for the service of all the nations, that are under heaven. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Otherwise, perhaps lifting up your eyes to heaven, you might look upon the sun and the moon and all the stars of heaven, and being deceived by error, you might adore and worship these things, which the Lord your God created for the service of all the nations, which are under heaven. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/4.htm">New American Bible</a> And when you look up to the heavens and behold the sun or the moon or the stars, the whole heavenly host, do not be led astray into bowing down to them and serving them. These the LORD, your God, has apportioned to all the other nations under the heavens; <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And when you look up to the heavens and see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, do not be led astray and bow down to them and serve them, things that the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples everywhere under heaven.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon, and the stars and all the host of heaven, should go astray and worship them and serve those things which the LORD your God has provided for all the peoples under heaven. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And that you would not lift up your eyes into the sky and see the sun and the moon and the stars and all the hosts of the sky and you would go astray and serve them and worship them which LORD JEHOVAH your God distributed for all the nations under Heaven.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and lest having looked up to the sky, and having seen the sun and the moon and the stars, and all the heavenly bodies, thou shouldest go astray and worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God has distributed to all the nations under heaven. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=1286" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/4.htm">Warning Against Idolatry</a> …18or of any creature that crawls on the ground or fish that is in the waters below. 19<a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: tiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">When you look</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·ne·ḵā (N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·may·māh (Art:: N-mp:: 3fs) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">to the heavens</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wə·rā·’î·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">and see</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·še·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3394.htm" title="3394: hay·yā·rê·aḥ (Art:: N-ms) -- Moon. From the same as yerach; the moon.">moon</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3556.htm" title="3556: hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A star. Probably from the same as Kabbown or kavah; a star; figuratively, a prince.">and stars—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā (N-csc) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">the host</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of heaven—</a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: ū·p̄en- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">do not be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5080.htm" title="5080: wə·nid·daḥ·tā (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To impel, thrust, banish. A primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">enticed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">to bow down</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tām (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms:: 3mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and worship</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2505.htm" title="2505: ḥā·laq (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be smooth, to apportion, separate. A primitive root; to be smooth; by implication to apportion or separate.">has apportioned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵōl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">to all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘am·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">heaven.</a> 20Yet the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of His inheritance, as you are today.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a> They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. <a href="/jeremiah/8-2.htm">Jeremiah 8:2</a> They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground. <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a> They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. <a href="/job/31-26.htm">Job 31:26-28</a> if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, / so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, / this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high. <a href="/isaiah/47-13.htm">Isaiah 47:13</a> You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. <a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42</a> But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? <a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. <a href="/2_chronicles/33-3.htm">2 Chronicles 33:3</a> For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven. <a href="/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16</a> So He brought me to the inner court of the house of the LORD, and there at the entrance to the temple of the LORD, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs to the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east; and they were bowing to the east in worship of the sun. <a href="/jeremiah/19-13.htm">Jeremiah 19:13</a> The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.” <a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a> Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. <a href="/daniel/2-48.htm">Daniel 2:48</a> Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. <a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Matthew 24:29</a> Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ <a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Genesis 1:14-18</a> And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years. / And let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.” And it was so. / God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. And He made the stars as well. ... <a href="/psalms/19-1.htm">Psalm 19:1-6</a> For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. / Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. / Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven.when thou<a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Deuteronomy 17:3</a> 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;<a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4,5,11</a> And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel… <a href="/job/31-26.htm">Job 31:26,27</a> If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; … the host<a href="/genesis/2-1.htm">Genesis 2:1</a> Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.<a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a> And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.<a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a> For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.which the Lord<a href="/genesis/1-16.htm">Genesis 1:16-18</a> And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also… <a href="/joshua/10-12.htm">Joshua 10:12,13</a> Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon… <a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Nehemiah 9:6</a> Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.divided.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/34-2.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-3.htm">Army</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-16.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/numbers/31-42.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/numbers/31-47.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/numbers/32-21.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/2-15.htm">Host</a> <a href="/numbers/29-6.htm">Moon</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-28.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/numbers/18-21.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/numbers/11-12.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-9.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-17.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-8.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-27.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/29-26.htm">Allotted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-4.htm">Army</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-12.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-6.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">Drawn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-4.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-34.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-26.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Host</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-3.htm">Moon</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-27.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-27.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-13.htm">Seest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-17.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-12.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-32.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-22.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-30.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 4</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-1.htm">An exhortation to obedience</a> 41. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-41.htm">Moses appoints the three cities of refuge on that side of Jordan</a> 44. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-44.htm">Recapitulation</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars This phrase acknowledges the natural human tendency to be awed by the celestial bodies. In ancient times, many cultures worshiped the sun, moon, and stars as deities. The Israelites, living among such cultures, were warned against adopting these practices. The heavens declare the glory of God (<a href="/psalms/19.htm">Psalm 19:1</a>), but they are not to be objects of worship. The celestial bodies are part of God's creation, meant to serve humanity by marking times and seasons (<a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Genesis 1:14</a>).all the host of heaven The "host of heaven" refers to the multitude of celestial bodies. In the ancient Near East, these were often personified and worshiped as gods. The term "host" can also imply an organized array, suggesting the orderliness of God's creation. This phrase underscores the distinction between the Creator and His creation, a central theme in biblical theology. The host of heaven is under God's command, as seen in the battle narratives where God uses celestial phenomena to aid Israel (<a href="/joshua/10-12.htm">Joshua 10:12-14</a>).do not be enticed to bow down and worship This command is a direct prohibition against idolatry, a recurring issue for Israel. The temptation to worship created things rather than the Creator is a fundamental human failing (<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a>). The act of bowing down signifies submission and reverence, which should be directed only to God. The warning reflects the first two commandments, emphasizing exclusive worship of Yahweh (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a>).what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven This phrase indicates that the celestial bodies are given by God for the benefit of all humanity, not for worship. The term "apportioned" suggests a distribution of resources, highlighting God's sovereignty and provision. It also implies that while other nations may misuse these gifts, Israel is called to a higher standard of worship. This distinction sets Israel apart as God's chosen people, tasked with being a light to the nations (<a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Isaiah 42:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The speaker of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering God's laws and commandments to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The audience of Moses' address, the chosen people of God, who are being warned against idolatry. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_heavens.htm">The Heavens</a> Refers to the celestial bodies—sun, moon, and stars—that were often objects of worship in ancient cultures. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The one true God of Israel, who commands exclusive worship and devotion from His people. 5. <a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a> The surrounding peoples who often worshipped celestial bodies, contrasting with the Israelites' call to worship Yahweh alone.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry.htm">Avoiding Idolatry</a> The passage warns against the temptation to worship created things. In today's context, this can extend to anything that takes the place of God in our lives, such as material possessions, status, or even relationships. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_sovereignty.htm">Recognizing God's Sovereignty</a> The celestial bodies are described as being "apportioned" by God, reminding us of His ultimate authority and control over creation. <a href="/topical/w/worship_the_creator,_not_the_creation.htm">Worship the Creator, Not the Creation</a> This verse calls us to direct our worship and reverence to God alone, recognizing that all of creation is meant to point us back to Him. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence_and_faithfulness.htm">Cultural Influence and Faithfulness</a> Just as the Israelites were surrounded by nations with different beliefs, Christians today must remain faithful amidst a culture that often promotes values contrary to biblical teachings. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_creation_in_worship.htm">The Role of Creation in Worship</a> While we are not to worship creation, we can use it as a means to worship God, appreciating the beauty and order of the universe as a reflection of His glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 4</a> <a href="/q/how_does_deut._4_19_relate_to_astronomy.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 forbids worship of celestial bodies—how does this align with modern astronomy’s discoveries and our scientific understanding of the cosmos? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'starry_host'_mean_biblically.htm">What does "starry host" mean in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_sun_worship.htm">What defines the practice of sun worship?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_concept_of_astrotheology.htm">What is the concept of astrotheology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) The sun, and the moon, and the stars.--The purest worship of antiquity--that which we find among the Persians--hardly escaped this snare.Which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations.--The heavenly bodies could never be regarded as special protectors of any one nation. But Jehovah was pledged to be the God of Israel. This appears to be the argument of <a href="/context/deuteronomy/4-19.htm" title="And lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD your God has divided to all nations under the whole heaven.">Deuteronomy 4:19-20</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - Lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, etc. The worship of the heavenly bodies, especially star-worship, prevailed among the Canaanites and many of the Semitic tribes, but was not confined to them; the Egyptians also reverenced the sun as Re, the moon as Isis, and the stars as the symbols of deities. The Israelites were thus, both from past associations and from what they might encounter in Canaan, exposed to the danger of being seduced into idolatry. Shouldest be driven: shouldest be urged on, drawn, or constrained (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">Deuteronomy 13:13</a>). Which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven, God had allotted (חָלַק) to all mankind the heavenly bodies for their advantage (<a href="/genesis/1-14.htm">Genesis 1:14-18</a>; <a href="/psalms/104-19.htm">Psalm 104:19</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/31-35.htm">Jeremiah 31:35</a>); it was, therefore, not competent for any one nation to seek to appropriate them as specially theirs, and it was absurd for any to offer religious service to objects intended for the service of man. Targum: Which the Lord thy God prepared for all peoples under heaven; Vulgate: Quae creavit Dominus Deus tuus in ministerium cunctis gentibus. This seems better than the interpretation that God had "allotted them for worship, i.e. had permitted them [the nations] to choose them as the objects of their worship" (Keil, etc.); for: 1. There is no distinction here between the Hebrews and the other nations of the earth; "all nations" includes them as well as the heathen. 2. Though God permitted the heathen to worship the heavenly bodies, he never allotted these to men in order that they might worship them. "It noteth God's bounty in giving all people the use of those creatures, and the base mind of man to worship such things as are given for servants unto men" (Ainsworth). <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When you look תִּשָּׂ֨א (tiś·śā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take to the heavens הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה (haš·šā·may·māh) Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky and see וְֽ֠רָאִיתָ (wə·rā·’î·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see the sun הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ (haš·še·meš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement and וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case moon הַיָּרֵ֜חַ (hay·yā·rê·aḥ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3394.htm">Strong's 3394: </a> The moon and stars— הַכּֽוֹכָבִ֗ים (hak·kō·w·ḵā·ḇîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3556.htm">Strong's 3556: </a> A star, a prince all כֹּ֚ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the host צְבָ֣א (ṣə·ḇā) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign of heaven— הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky do not וּפֶן־ (ū·p̄en-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest be enticed וְנִדַּחְתָּ֛ (wə·nid·daḥ·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5080.htm">Strong's 5080: </a> To impel, thrust, banish to bow down וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יתָ (wə·hiš·ta·ḥă·wî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> To depress, prostrate and worship וַעֲבַדְתָּ֑ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave what אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has apportioned חָלַ֜ק (ḥā·laq) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2505.htm">Strong's 2505: </a> To be smooth, to apportion, separate to all לְכֹל֙ (lə·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the nations הָֽעַמִּ֔ים (hā·‘am·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock under תַּ֖חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of heaven. הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">Deuteronomy 4:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-19.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest you lift up your eyes (Deut. 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