Deuteronomy 8:20

Like the nations that the LORD has destroyed before you, so you will perish if you do not obey the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, delivering this warning immediately after testifying that forgetting God and worshipping idols guarantees destruction.

The words — The Hebrew כַּ/גּוֹיִ֗ם (ka./go.Yim) means "like the nations," while מַאֲבִ֣יד (ma.'a.Vid) conveys that Yahweh [is] about to destroy. These terms establish a direct, conditional comparison between Israel’s fate and the conquered peoples.

The thread — The warning echoes the pattern of covenant curses found in Daniel 9:11 and the historical judgment recorded in 2 Chronicles 36:16.

Why it lands — The text states that Israel will perish like the conquered nations if they refuse to obey Yahweh. It demands immediate covenant faithfulness rather than assuming election guarantees immunity from judgment.

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

כַּגּוֹיִ֗םka./go.Yimlike the/ nations אֲשֶׁ֤ר'a.Sherwhich יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahweh מַאֲבִ֣ידma.'a.Vid[is] about to destroy מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔םmi./pe.nei./Khemfrom/ before/ you כֵּ֖ןkenso תֹאבֵד֑וּןtoe.Du/nyou will perish/ !עֵ֚קֶב'E.kevconsequence לֹ֣אlo'not תִשְׁמְע֔וּןtish.me.'U/nyou will listen/ !בְּק֖וֹלbe./Kolto/ [the] voice of יְהוָ֥הYah.wehYahweh אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ פ'e.lo.hei./KhemGod/ your

King James Version

As the nations which the Lord destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God.

Cross-references

Daniel 9:11 All Israel has transgressed Your law and turned away, refusing to obey Your voice; so the oath and the curse written in the Law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us, because we have sinned against You.
2 Chronicles 36:16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.