Deuteronomy 28:14

Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, immediately following a promise of national elevation and preceding a list of covenant curses. He delivers this directive as the precise boundary for maintaining their standing before entering the land.

The words — The Hebrew verb תָס֗וּר (taSur) literally means "you will turn aside" or "deviate," denoting a deliberate departure from a fixed course. It directly modifies the prohibition against moving away from the specific words being commanded.

The thread — The text echoes the right-or-left turning metaphor found in Deuteronomy 5:32 and Isaiah 30:21 to describe strict adherence to divine instruction. The warning against pursuing other gods appears as a parallel concern in Deuteronomy 11:16.

Why it lands — The passage commands unwavering focus on the given instructions, treating any deviation as a direct violation of the covenant. It requires the reader to maintain exclusive allegiance to the stated commands rather than exploring alternative religious paths.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְלֹ֣אve./Lo'and/ not תָס֗וּרta.Suryou will turn aside מִכָּל־mi./kolfrom/ all הַדְּבָרִים֙ha./de.va.Rimthe/ words אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sherwhich אָנֹכִ֜י'a.no.KhiI מְצַוֶּ֥הme.tza.Veh[am] commanding אֶתְכֶ֛ם'et./Khem<obj.>/ you הַיּ֖וֹםhai./Yomthis/ day יָמִ֣יןya.Minright [hand]וּשְׂמֹ֑אולu./se.Moland/ left [hand]לָלֶ֗כֶתla./Le.khetto/ walk אַחֲרֵ֛י'a.cha.Reiafter אֱלֹהִ֥ים'E.lo.Himgods אֲחֵרִ֖ים'a.che.Rimother לְעָבְדָֽם׃ סle./'a.ve.Da/mto/ serve/ them

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.
Isaiah 30:21 And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Deuteronomy 11:16 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,
Proverbs 4:26 Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
Deuteronomy 11:26 See, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse—
2 Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Joshua 23:6 Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.