Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 13דברים 13

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Deuteronomy 13 tests loyalty to YHWH against three escalating seductions to apostasy — a wonder-working prophet, a beloved intimate, a subverted city — each demanding an uncompromising response for the sake of covenant purity, while grounding the whole in Israel's own exodus deliverance and the promise that faithful obedience yields YHWH's compassion.

Translation & textual notes

Deuteronomy 13 in the Masoretic Text spans what English versions divide as 12:32–13:18: MT v.1 ('you shall not add to it or subtract from it') corresponds to English 12:32, and the whole chapter runs one verse ahead of the English/LXX/Vulgate numbering thereafter. The consonantal text is well preserved, with the chapter's one notable feature being the Kethiv/Qere at v.16, where the Kethiv (written consonants) gives the masculine demonstrative ההוא modifying the feminine noun עִיר ('city'), a gender mismatch silently corrected by the Qere (traditional reading) הַהִיא — an ordinary scribal phenomenon, not a substantive variant. The chapter's three casuistic test cases (prophet/dreamer, intimate seducer, subverted city) are formally parallel, each opening with כִּי, and share recurring verbatim formulas ('let us go and serve other gods, whom you have not known'; 'other gods'), preserved with little divergence in LXX and Samaritan witnesses beyond occasional smoothing of the repetition. Key legal-cultic vocabulary — סָרָה ('sedition'), בְּלִיַּעַל ('worthlessness'), חֵרֶם ('the ban'), כָּלִיל ('whole burnt offering'), תֵּל עוֹלָם ('perpetual ruin-mound') — belongs to the oldest stratum of Israelite covenant idiom and shows no sign of late textual disturbance.

1

אֵ֣ת כָּל הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָנֹכִי֙ מְצַוֶּ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֹת֥וֹ תִשְׁמְר֖וּ לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת לֹא תֹסֵ֣ף עָלָ֔יו וְלֹ֥א תִגְרַ֖ע מִמֶּֽנּוּ

Everything that I am commanding you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to it, and you shall not take away from it.

Programmatic opening injunction (canon-closing formula)asyndeton
This verse (MT 13:1 = English 12:32) closes the preceding legislation and states the fixed-canon principle — neither addition nor subtraction — that governs everything to follow: no sign, however impressive, may override this closed law.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, resumed by אֹתוֹ before the verb)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object הַדָּבָר; untranslated in English; resumed pronominally by אֹתוֹ before תִּשְׁמְרוּ.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing הַדָּבָר (quantifier phrase, object of אֵת)כֹּל/כָּל (H3605) 'whole, all, every'; in construct before a definite noun, 'the whole of' — here 'the whole word/matter.'
הַדָּבָ֗רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (with אֵת; governed by כָּל)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; the whole body of covenant instruction just delivered — 'everything' commanded.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַדָּבָר)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose Hebrew relative particle, introducing the clause defining 'the word' as what Moses is commanding.
אָנֹכִי֙Iindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with מְצַוֶּה)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun; redundant with the verb's person marking, stressing Moses' personal authority as the command's speaker.
מְצַוֶּ֣הam commandingPiel ptc ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (main clause, present-durative)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing act of command, not a single past utteranceצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the participle frames Moses' legislation as a continuing, currently-binding charge.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מְצַוֶּהאֵת + 2mp suffix, marking 'you (pl.)' as the direct object of 'commanding' — Israel addressed collectively.
אֹת֥וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker resuming הַדָּבָר as object of תִּשְׁמְרוּאֵת + 3ms suffix, resumptive 'it' referring back to הַדָּבָר, fronted before the verb for emphasis: 'it you shall keep.'
תִשְׁמְר֖וּyou shall keepQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, deontic/legal)→ Imperfect used deontically: a binding legal obligation — 'you shall observe'שָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the chapter's programmatic verb for covenant fidelity.
לַעֲשׂ֑וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival complement of תִּשְׁמְרוּ (purpose/result)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result nuance completing 'keep'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; the standard Deuteronomic pairing שָׁמַר…לַעֲשׂוֹת, hearing/keeping matched by concrete performance.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תֹסֵףלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle, negating the following imperfect (a durative prohibition).
תֹסֵ֣ףyou shall addHiphil impf 2ms · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not add'יָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, do again'; the first half of the canon-closing formula guarding the law's completeness.
עָלָ֔יוto itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of תֹסֵף ('add to it')עַל (H5921) 'upon, to'; with יָסַף idiomatic for 'add to.'
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation, parallel to לֹא תֹסֵףוְ joins the second prohibition; לֹא negates תִגְרַע, the matching 'nor shall you subtract' half of the formula.
תִגְרַ֖עyou shall subtractQal impf 2ms · גָּרַע (H1639)Predicate verb (prohibition, parallel to תֹסֵף)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not take away'גָּרַע (H1639) 'to diminish, subtract, withhold'; paired with יָסַף to bracket the law as a fixed, inviolable quantity.
מִמֶּֽנּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Adverbial complement of תִגְרַעמִן (H4480) 'from'; with גָּרַע, 'subtract from it' — completing v.1's closing formula.
2

כִּֽי יָק֤וּם בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙ נָבִ֔יא א֖וֹ חֹלֵ֣ם חֲל֑וֹם וְנָתַ֥ן אֵלֶ֛יךָ א֖וֹת א֥וֹ מוֹפֵֽת

If there arises in your midst a prophet, or one who dreams a dream, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,

Casuistic protasis opening the first test case (the prophet/dreamer)כִּי
Opens an extended conditional (protasis continues through v.3, apodosis begins v.4) constructing the first of the chapter's three seduction scenarios; the legal כִּי-clause format signals case law.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588), multivalent conjunction; here conditional 'if/when' opening the casuistic legal case.
יָק֤וּםarisesQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (protasis of the conditional)→ Imperfect: hypothetical/future — 'should there arise'קוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; idiomatic of a prophet's appearance/rise to public activity.
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙in your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; 'in your midst' situates the threat as internal, from within the covenant community itself.
נָבִ֔יאa prophetN m sg abs · נָבִיא (H5030)Subject of יָקוּםנָבִיא (H5030) 'prophet'; one who claims to speak for YHWH — the chapter tests even a genuine prophetic office against covenant loyalty.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', coordinating the second alternative agent, 'dreamer of a dream.'
חֹלֵ֣םone who dreamsQal ptc constr ms · חָלַם (H2492)Subject (coordinate with נָבִיא), construct governing חֲלוֹם→ Participle: substantival, characterizing role — 'one who dreams'חָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; substantival participle, 'a dreamer (of a dream)' — the second possible channel of ostensible revelation.
חֲל֑וֹםa dreamN m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Object of the construct participle חֹלֵם (cognate object)חֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; cognate object of חָלַם, the standard idiom for dream-revelation (cf. Joseph, Daniel).
וְנָתַ֥ןand he givesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis sequence→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional/future chain — 'and (if) he gives'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here of a prophet 'producing' a confirming sign.
אֵלֶ֛יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וְנָתַןאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of the sign.
א֖וֹתa signN c sg abs · אוֹת (H226)Direct object of וְנָתַןאוֹת (H226) 'sign, token'; a perceptible confirming wonder, the same term used of the exodus signs — here ambiguously offered as prophetic credential.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', coordinating the second object מוֹפֵת.
מוֹפֵֽתa wonderN m sg abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Direct object of וְנָתַן (paired with אוֹת)מוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder, portent'; paired with אוֹת as a fixed word-pair (as in the Egypt narratives) for miraculous confirmation.
3

וּבָ֤א הָאוֹת֙ וְהַמּוֹפֵ֔ת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵֽלְכָ֞ה אַחֲרֵ֨י אֱלֹהִ֧ים אֲחֵרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא יְדַעְתָּ֖ם וְנָֽעָבְדֵֽם

and the sign or the wonder comes true, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods, whom you have not known, and let us serve them' —

Continuation of protasis: fulfillment of the sign plus embedded direct-speech incitementוְ
The protasis's decisive turn: the sign or wonder actually comes true (its truth is granted, not the point at issue), and the prophet's own words are quoted verbatim, revealing his real purpose — enticement to worship 'other gods.' The test is never about the sign's authenticity but about loyalty despite it.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וּבָ֤אand it comesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis chain→ Weqatal: continuing conditional sequence — 'and (if) it comes to pass'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; idiomatic of a prediction 'coming true' — the sign is validated by fulfillment.
הָאוֹת֙the signart + N c sg abs · אוֹת (H226)Subject of וּבָאאוֹת (H226) 'sign', now definite, referring back to v.2's offered sign.
וְהַמּוֹפֵ֔תand the wonderconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Subject (coordinate with הָאוֹת)מוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder', now definite, coordinate second subject of וּבָא.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאוֹת וְהַמּוֹפֵת)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying what the prophet spoke.
דִּבֶּ֥רhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of speaking (the prior prediction)דָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the prophet's original prediction, now shown fulfilled.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of דִּבֶּראֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee of the prophetic speech.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct discourse (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, framing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard לֵאמֹר formula introducing the quoted incitement to apostasy.
נֵֽלְכָ֞הlet us goQal cohortative 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional)→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional — 'let us go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; cohortative marks the incitement as a proposal — the seducing invitation's opening verb.
אַחֲרֵ֨יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase, complement of נֵלְכָהאַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; idiom הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי 'to go after/follow' — the standard Deuteronomic expression for cultic allegiance, positive or negative.
אֱלֹהִ֧יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; here plural of pagan deities, modified by אֲחֵרִים 'other.'
אֲחֵרִ֛יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; the fixed pejorative phrase אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים 'other gods' recurring through Deuteronomy's apostasy warnings.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing 'whom you have not known' — characterizing these gods as foreign, outside Israel's covenant experience.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְדַעְתָּםלֹא (H3808), negative particle.
יְדַעְתָּ֖םyou have known themQal perf 2ms + 3mp suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (negated) of the relative clause→ Perfective negated: 'you have not known/experienced (them)'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential/relational knowledge — these gods stand entirely outside Israel's covenantal experience of YHWH.
וְנָֽעָבְדֵֽםand let us serve themconj וְ + Qal impf 1cp + 3mp suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional, coordinate with נֵלְכָה)→ Imperfect used volitionally (parallel to the cohortative נֵלְכָה): 'and let us serve them'עָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; completing the incitement's paired verbs 'go after… and serve' — the two-part definition of apostasy. (Scaffold mistagged this Hophal; morphology and sense require Qal.)
4

לֹ֣א תִשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל דִּבְרֵי֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֔וּא א֛וֹ אֶל חוֹלֵ֥ם הַחֲל֖וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י מְנַסֶּ֞ה יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם אֹֽהֲבִים֙ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכָל נַפְשְׁכֶֽם

You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of the dream, for YHWH your God is testing you, to know whether you love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Apodosis of the conditional: the prohibition plus its theological rationale (the test)asyndeton
The apodosis answers vv.2-3's protasis with a flat prohibition — do not heed him — and immediately supplies the reason: the fulfilled sign is itself YHWH's testing device (מְנַסֶּה), designed to disclose whether Israel's love is total, echoing 6:5's 'all your heart and all your soul.' This is the chapter's hermeneutical key: predictive accuracy is not evidence of divine sending.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִשְׁמַעלֹא (H3808), negative particle, opening the apodosis's prohibition.
תִשְׁמַ֗עyou shall listenQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause prohibition, apodosis)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive, deontic — 'you shall not listen/obey'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; the prophet's words, even validated by fulfillment, must not be heeded.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, complement of תִשְׁמַעאֶל (H413) 'to'; governs 'the words of that prophet' as what must not be heeded.
דִּבְרֵי֙the words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct noun governing הַנָּבִיאדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; plural construct 'words of' — the prophet's spoken message, distinct from the vindicated sign.
הַנָּבִ֣יאthat prophetart + N m sg abs · נָבִיא (H5030)Genitive complement of דִּבְרֵי (construct chain)נָבִיא (H5030) 'prophet', now definite, referring back to v.2's figure.
הַה֔וּאthatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַנָּבִיאהוּא (H1931) distal demonstrative; with the article, attributive 'that (prophet)' — anaphoric to vv.2-3.
א֛וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', coordinating the second alternative, the dreamer.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, complement of תִשְׁמַע (second alternative)אֶל (H413) 'to'; repeated for the parallel dreamer clause.
חוֹלֵ֥םthat dreamerQal ptc constr ms · חָלַם (H2492)Object of prep אֶל, construct governing הַחֲלוֹם→ Participle: substantival, characterizing roleחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; substantival participle 'dreamer (of the dream)', anaphoric to vv.2-3.
הַחֲל֖וֹםthe dreamart + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Genitive complement of חוֹלֵם (construct chain)חֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream', now definite, back-referring to vv.2-3.
הַה֑וּאthatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying the phrase חוֹלֵם הַחֲלוֹםהוּא (H1931), distal demonstrative, again anaphoric — 'that (dream).'
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for the prohibitionכִּי (H3588), here causal 'for, because' — introducing the theological rationale: YHWH is testing you.
מְנַסֶּ֞הis testingPiel ptc ms · נִסָּה (H5254)Predicate participle (main clause, present-durative)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing act of testing, the theological crux of the chapterנִסָּה (H5254) Piel 'to test, try'; the fulfilled sign is itself YHWH's vehicle for testing Israel's loyalty (cf. Gen 22:1 of Abraham).
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of מְנַסֶּהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the testing.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙your GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'; in apposition to the divine name, the recurring formula יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם binding covenant identity to the test.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of מְנַסֶּהאֵת + 2mp suffix, marking 'you' as the object being tested.
לָדַ֗עַתto knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Infinitival purpose clause complementing מְנַסֶּה→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to know'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; purpose of the test — not that God learns something new, but that Israel's loyalty is disclosed, made evident.
הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤םwhether youinterrogative הֲ + existential particle + 2mp suffix · יֵשׁ (H3426)Introduces the indirect question (object of לָדַעַת)יֵשׁ (H3426) existential 'there is'; with interrogative הֲ and 2mp suffix, idiomatic 'whether you are (loving)' — introduces what YHWH's test discloses.
אֹֽהֲבִים֙lovingQal ptc mp · אָהַב (H157)Predicate participle completing הֲיִשְׁכֶם ('whether you are loving')→ Participle: durative/characterizing — an ongoing disposition of love, not a single actאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; in Deuteronomy covenantal love is willed, active loyalty, not mere sentiment — precisely what the test discloses.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking יְהוָה as object of the participle אֹהֲבִים)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks יְהוָה as the definite object of 'loving' — a personal, relational object taking the direct-object marker.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of אֹהֲבִים (marked by אֵת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; object of the love the test discloses.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'; repeating the full covenant title as object of the disclosed love.
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner), governing לְבַבְכֶםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; with בְּ, 'with all (your heart)' — the totalizing idiom of Deuteronomic love-language (cf. 6:5).
לְבַבְכֶ֖םyour heartN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of the preposition בְּכָללֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind, will'; the seat of thought and volition, not mere emotion — 'heart' names the inner self's commitment.
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner), governing נַפְשְׁכֶם, coordinate with בְּכָל לְבַבְכֶםכֹּל (H3605); the second half of the fixed pair 'with all your heart and with all your soul,' Deuteronomy's formula for total covenant devotion.
נַפְשְׁכֶֽםyour soulN c sg constr + 2mp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Object of the preposition וּבְכָלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self, appetite'; paired with לֵבָב for the totality of the person — vitality and desire wholly given to YHWH.
5

אַחֲרֵ֨י יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם תֵּלֵ֖כוּ וְאֹת֣וֹ תִירָ֑אוּ וְאֶת מִצְוֺתָ֤יו תִּשְׁמֹ֨רוּ֙ וּבְקֹל֣וֹ תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ וְאֹת֥וֹ תַעֲבֹ֖דוּ וּב֥וֹ תִדְבָּקֽוּן

After YHWH your God you shall walk, and him you shall fear, and his commandments you shall keep, and to his voice you shall listen, and him you shall serve, and to him you shall cling.

Positive counter-catena: six verbs of covenant loyalty answering the prophet's incitement point for pointasyndeton
Six imperatival imperfects — walk, fear, keep, listen, serve, cling — systematically answer the seducer's proposal of vv.2-3 ('go after… serve other gods') and v.4's prohibition ('do not listen to him'): the object in every case is YHWH alone. The catena is Deuteronomy's positive definition of exclusive covenant loyalty, set over against the negative test case.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
אַחֲרֵ֨יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Fronted prepositional phrase, complement of תֵּלֵכוּאַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after'; idiom הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי 'walk after' — the positive covenant counterpart to v.3's illegitimate 'go after other gods,' opening the six-verb loyalty catena.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; object of 'walking after' — deliberately structured to answer v.3's אַחֲרֵי אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'; the full covenant title, object of the fronted prepositional phrase.
תֵּלֵ֖כוּyou shall walkQal impf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, deontic; first of the six-verb catena)→ Imperfect used deontically: a positive covenant obligation — 'you shall walk (after)'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; first of the six loyalty verbs (walk, fear, keep, listen, serve, cling) answering the prophet's counter-invitation point for point.
וְאֹת֣וֹand himconj וְ + obj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted object of תִירָאוּאֵת + 3ms suffix, resumptive 'him' referring to YHWH, fronted for emphasis before the second verb of the catena.
תִירָ֑אוּyou shall fearQal impf 2mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (second of the catena)→ Imperfect used deontically: covenant obligation — 'you shall fear/revere'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; reverential awe toward YHWH, the second verb of the loyalty catena.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the fronted object of תִּשְׁמֹרוּוְ joins the third clause; אֵת marks מִצְוֺתָיו as its fronted definite object.
מִצְוֺתָ֤יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of תִּשְׁמֹרוּ (fronted)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; YHWH's covenant stipulations, object of the third loyalty verb.
תִּשְׁמֹ֨רוּ֙you shall keepQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (third of the catena)→ Imperfect used deontically: covenant obligation — 'you shall keep/observe'שָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; third verb of the catena, echoing v.1's programmatic verb.
וּבְקֹל֣וֹand to his voiceconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Fronted prepositional phrase, complement of תִשְׁמָעוּקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; 'his voice' = YHWH's spoken word/commands, object of the fourth verb 'listen.'
תִשְׁמָ֔עוּyou shall listenQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (fourth of the catena)→ Imperfect used deontically: covenant obligation — 'you shall listen/obey'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; fourth verb of the catena, deliberately echoing v.4's prohibition against listening to the false prophet — this is who to listen to instead.
וְאֹת֥וֹand himconj וְ + obj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, fronted object of תַעֲבֹדוּאֵת + 3ms suffix, resumptive 'him' referring to YHWH, fronted before the fifth verb — answering the prophet's incitement 'let us serve them' (v.3) point for point.
תַעֲבֹ֖דוּyou shall serveQal impf 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (fifth of the catena)→ Imperfect used deontically: covenant obligation — 'you shall serve/worship'עָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; fifth verb, directly countering the false prophet's נַעַבְדֵם 'let us serve them' from v.3.
וּב֥וֹand to himconj וְ + prep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּFronted prepositional phrase, complement of תִדְבָּקוּןבְּ 'in, to, with' + 3ms suffix 'him' (YHWH); with דָּבַק idiomatic 'cling to.'
תִדְבָּקֽוּןyou shall clingQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (sixth and climactic verb of the catena)→ Imperfect used deontically, with emphatic paragogic nun: covenant obligation — 'you shall cling'דָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, cleave, adhere'; the climactic sixth verb — the same verb used of marital union (Gen 2:24), expressing exclusive, intimate covenant attachment to YHWH alone.
6

וְהַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֡וּא א֣וֹ חֹלֵם֩ הַחֲל֨וֹם הַה֜וּא יוּמָ֗ת כִּ֣י דִבֶּר סָ֠רָה עַל יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜ם הַמּוֹצִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֣ם מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם וְהַפֹּֽדְךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים לְהַדִּֽיחֲךָ֙ מִן הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוְּךָ֛ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֑הּ וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ

But that prophet, or that dreamer of the dream, shall be put to death, because he has spoken sedition against YHWH your God — who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slaves — to thrust you from the way in which YHWH your God commanded you to walk; so you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Sentencing clause: capital penalty plus its rationale (treason against the Redeemer) and the purge-formula refrainוְ
The verdict (יוּמָת, passive, no named executioner yet) is grounded in a legal-theological indictment: the crime is 'sedition' (סָרָה) against the very God who performed the exodus — his redemptive credentials make the betrayal graver, not milder. The refrain 'so you shall purge the evil from your midst' appears here for the first time in the Deuteronomic corpus and will recur as the standard capital-case closing formula (17:7,12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21-24; 24:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
וְהַנָּבִ֣יאbut that prophetconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נָבִיא (H5030)Subject of יוּמָת (fronted for contrast)נָבִיא (H5030) 'prophet', now definite and fronted — the adversative וְ marks the sharp turn to sentencing.
הַה֡וּאthatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַנָּבִיאהוּא (H1931), distal demonstrative, anaphoric to vv.2-5.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', coordinating the dreamer as the second possible subject.
חֹלֵם֩that dreamerQal ptc constr ms · חָלַם (H2492)Subject (coordinate with הַנָּבִיא), construct governing הַחֲלוֹם→ Participle: substantival, characterizing roleחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; substantival participle, coordinate subject of the death sentence.
הַחֲל֨וֹםthe dreamart + N m sg abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Genitive complement of חֹלֵםחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream', definite, anaphoric.
הַה֜וּאthatart + demonstrative pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying the phrase חֹלֵם הַחֲלוֹםהוּא (H1931), distal demonstrative, anaphoric.
יוּמָ֗תshall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause: the sentence)→ Imperfect (Hophal passive) used deontically: mandated punishment — 'shall be put to death'מוּת (H4191) Hophal 'to be caused to die, be put to death'; the passive states the mandated communal penalty without naming the executioner (specified in vv.9-10).
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for the sentenceכִּי (H3588), causal 'because' — introducing the crime that warrants death.
דִבֶּרhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed act constituting the crimeדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the crime is speech-based — inciting rebellion by word, not idolatrous act per se.
סָ֠רָהseditionN f sg abs · סָרָה (H5627)Direct object of דִּבֶּרסָרָה (H5627) 'defection, apostasy, sedition,' from סוּר 'to turn aside'; a rare, weighty legal term for treasonous incitement against YHWH's sovereignty.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, complement of סָרָהעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marks YHWH as the object of the sedition — treason against the divine suzerain.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition עַליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one against whom sedition is spoken.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, the full covenant title, heading the relative clauses describing YHWH's saving acts.
הַמּוֹצִ֥יאwho brought outart + Hiphil ptc ms · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival participle in apposition to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (relative-like)→ Participle: substantival/relative, naming YHWH by his redemptive actיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the standard exodus-formula epithet for YHWH — the God being betrayed is precisely the liberator from Egypt.
אֶתְכֶ֣םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הַמּוֹצִיאאֵת + 2mp suffix, 'you' as object of the bringing-out.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial phrase (source), complement of הַמּוֹצִיאאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct 'land of Egypt,' the source of the exodus deliverance.
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of Egypt, site of the bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel.
וְהַפֹּֽדְךָ֙and who redeemed youconj וְ + art + Qal ptc constr ms + 2ms suffix · פָּדָה (H6299)Substantival participle (coordinate with הַמּוֹצִיא), in apposition to YHWH→ Participle: substantival/relative, naming YHWH by a second redemptive actפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; paired with 'bring out' as the twin exodus verbs — deliverance framed as release from bondage.
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (source), complement of וְהַפֹּדְךָבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct 'house of slaves,' the idiomatic designation of Egypt as the slave-house.
עֲבָדִ֔יםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement of בֵּית (construct chain)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; the fixed Deuteronomic epithet for Egypt, בֵּית עֲבָדִים 'house of slaves/bondage.'
לְהַדִּֽיחֲךָ֙to thrust you awayprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2ms suffix · נָדַח (H5080)Infinitival purpose clause (the prophet's aim)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to thrust you away'נָדַח (H5080) Hiphil 'to banish, thrust away, seduce astray'; names the prophet's true agenda — deliberately dislodging Israel from YHWH's prescribed path.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, complement of לְהַדִּיחֲךָמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the path from which the prophet seeks to dislodge Israel.
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְthe wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of the preposition מִןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; metaphor for the covenantal manner of life YHWH prescribed.
אֲשֶׁ֧רin whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַדֶּרֶךְ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause defining 'the way' as what YHWH commanded.
צִוְּךָ֛he commanded youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of prior commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; YHWH's prior instruction defining 'the way' — the same verb as v.1's מְצַוֶּה, the closed canon under threat.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוְּךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, subject of the prior command.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, the covenant title, closing the description of the God being betrayed.
לָלֶ֣כֶתto walkprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Infinitival complement of צִוְּךָ (content of the command)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — specifying the content of the commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk'; the same verb as v.5's positive catena — 'walk in it' is the way of covenant obedience.
בָּ֑הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּAdverbial complement of לָלֶכֶת (referring to הַדֶּרֶךְ)בְּ 'in' + 3fs suffix referring back to הַדֶּרֶךְ ('the way,' feminine) — 'to walk in it.'
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥so you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb (main clause, consequent — the community's obligation)→ Weqatal used deontically: a consequential command — 'so you shall burn out/purge'בָּעַר (H1197) Piel 'to burn, consume, purge, sweep away'; the Code's refrain formula וּבִעַרְתָּ הָרָע מִקִּרְבֶּךָ, its first occurrence in Deuteronomy.
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, 'the evil (thing/person)' — here the executed seducer himself as the evil to be purged.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial complement of וּבִעַרְתָּקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; 'from your midst' — the community itself performs the purge, echoing v.2's בְּקִרְבְּךָ 'in your midst' where the threat arose.
7

כִּ֣י יְסִֽיתְךָ֡ אָחִ֣יךָ בֶן אִ֠מֶּךָ אֽוֹ בִנְךָ֨ אֽוֹ בִתְּךָ֜ א֣וֹ אֵ֣שֶׁת חֵיקֶ֗ךָ א֧וֹ רֵֽעֲךָ֛ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖ בַּסֵּ֣תֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵֽלְכָ֗ה וְנַֽעַבְדָה֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתָּ אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ

If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, entices you in secret, saying, 'Let us go and let us serve other gods' — whom you have not known, neither you nor your fathers —

Casuistic protasis opening the second test case (the intimate seducer)כִּי
The second scenario escalates the danger: not a public prophetic figure but the closest possible human relations — full brother, child, spouse, or soul-friend — and the method shifts from a public sign to private enticement 'in secret' (בַּסֵּתֶר). The list's five relational categories, climaxing in the non-kin 'friend as your own soul,' map the entire web of intimate loyalty that the law now subordinates to loyalty to YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
כִּ֣יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasis (second test case)כִּי (H3588), conditional 'if' opening the second casuistic scenario — the intimate seducer.
יְסִֽיתְךָ֡entices youHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · סוּת (H5496)Predicate verb (protasis of the conditional)→ Imperfect: hypothetical/future — 'should he entice you'סוּת (H5496) Hiphil 'to incite, entice, seduce'; the chapter's key verb for the intimate seducer's action, distinct from the prophet's public claim to revelation.
אָחִ֣יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of יְסִיתְךָ (first of the list of intimates)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the first and closest of the list of potential seducers — kinship offers no immunity.
בֶןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun in apposition to אָחִיךָ, governing אִמֶּךָבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct 'son of your mother' specifying a full uterine brother, intensifying the intimacy of the bond being overridden.
אִ֠מֶּךָyour motherN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Genitive complement of בֶּן (construct chain)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; 'son of your mother' — a rare idiom stressing the closest possible fraternal bond (cf. Ps 50:20).
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', beginning the list's alternation between the intimates.
בִנְךָ֨your sonN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (coordinate with אָחִיךָ)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the next generation, second in the list of intimates.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', continuing the list.
בִתְּךָ֜your daughterN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּת (H1323)Subject (coordinate with אָחִיךָ)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; third in the list of intimates.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', continuing the list.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (coordinate with אָחִיךָ), construct governing חֵיקֶךָאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct 'wife of your bosom' — the fourth and most intimate marital relation in the list.
חֵיקֶ֗ךָyour bosomN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · חֵיק (H2436)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)חֵיק (H2436) 'bosom, lap'; idiom 'wife of your bosom' for the intimate marital partner (cf. 28:54,56).
א֧וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', introducing the final and non-kin member of the list.
רֵֽעֲךָ֛your friendN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Subject (coordinate with אָחִיךָ)רֵעַ (H7453) 'friend, companion, neighbor'; the fifth and only non-kin member, whose closeness the following clause defines.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying רֵעֲךָ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause 'who is as your own soul,' defining the friend's intimacy.
כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖as your own soulprep כְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Predicate of the relative clause (comparison)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self, life'; idiom 'as your own soul' expresses the deepest possible non-kin intimacy — a bond rivaling that with one's own life.
בַּסֵּ֣תֶרin secretprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵתֶר (H5643)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner), complement of יְסִיתְךָסֵתֶר (H5643) 'secrecy, hiding place'; the seducer's method is concealment — unlike the public prophet, this incitement happens privately, away from communal scrutiny.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct discourse (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, framing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introducing the quoted incitement, structurally identical to v.3's.
נֵֽלְכָ֗הlet us goQal cohortative 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional)→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional — 'let us go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the same incitement verb as v.3, now placed in the mouth of an intimate rather than a prophet.
וְנַֽעַבְדָה֙and let us serveconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional, coordinate with נֵלְכָה)→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional — 'let us serve'עָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; here properly cohortative (unlike v.3's imperfect of the same idea), completing the paired incitement verbs.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of וְנַעַבְדָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; pagan deities, modified by אֲחֵרִים.
אֲחֵרִ֔יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; the fixed phrase 'other gods' recurring throughout the chapter.
אֲשֶׁר֙whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing 'whom you have not known,' repeating v.3's characterization of these gods as foreign.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָדַעְתָּלֹא (H3808), negative particle.
יָדַ֔עְתָּyou have knownQal perf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (negated) of the relative clause→ Perfective negated: 'you have not known/experienced'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential knowledge — again these gods lie outside Israel's covenantal experience.
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with יָדַעְתָּ), heading the appositional pair with וַאֲבֹתֶיךָאַתָּה (H859), emphatic second-person pronoun, resuming the subject of יָדַעְתָּ before its expansion 'you or your fathers.'
וַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָor your fathersconj וְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Coordinate subject with אַתָּהאָב (H1) 'father'; plural 'your fathers,' extending the negative experience across generations — neither you nor your ancestors have known these gods.
8

מֵאֱלֹהֵ֣י הָֽעַמִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁר֙ סְבִיבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הַקְּרֹבִ֣ים אֵלֶ֔יךָ א֖וֹ הָרְחֹקִ֣ים מִמֶּ֑ךָּ מִקְצֵ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ וְעַד קְצֵ֥ה הָאָֽרֶץ

from the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far from you, from one end of the earth to the other —

Appositional expansion continuing v.7's protasis: geographic totality of the 'other gods'asyndeton
This verse piles up merisms (near/far; one end of the earth to the other) to exclude any geographic loophole — the prohibition covers every possible foreign deity, regardless of proximity. Verses 7-8 together complete the protasis; the apodosis (the response) begins in v.9.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
מֵאֱלֹהֵ֣יfrom the gods ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Adverbial phrase (source), further specifying אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים of v.7אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; construct 'gods of the peoples' — the specific source of the 'other gods' just named, continuing v.7's protasis.
הָֽעַמִּ֗יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of אֱלֹהֵי (construct chain)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; the surrounding Canaanite/foreign nations whose gods are in view.
אֲשֶׁר֙whorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause locating these peoples geographically.
סְבִיבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םaround youN c pl constr + 2mp suffix · סָבִיב (H5439)Predicate of the relative clause (locative)סָבִיב (H5439) 'surroundings, round about'; 'your surroundings' — the nations encircling Israel's territory.
הַקְּרֹבִ֣יםthe near onesart + adj m pl abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Attributive/substantival adjective in apposition to הָעַמִּים (first of a merism)קָרוֹב (H7138) 'near'; substantival 'those near,' first half of the near/far merism spanning all possible source-nations.
אֵלֶ֔יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement of הַקְּרֹבִיםאֶל (H413) 'to'; completes 'near to you.'
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', joining the second half of the merism.
הָרְחֹקִ֣יםthe far onesart + adj m pl abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Attributive/substantival adjective (second of the merism)רָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; substantival 'those far off,' completing the near/far merism — geographic proximity is irrelevant to the danger.
מִמֶּ֑ךָּfrom youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Adverbial complement of הָרְחֹקִיםמִן (H4480) 'from'; completes 'far from you.'
מִקְצֵ֥הfrom the end ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Adverbial phrase (source), second merism expanding the geographic totalityקָצֶה (H7097) 'end, edge, extremity'; 'from the end of the earth,' a cosmic-scope merism reinforcing 'near or far.'
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of קְצֵה (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; first member of the 'end of the earth… to the end of the earth' merism.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + preposition, introducing the second geographic poleעַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; pairs with מִן to form the merism 'from… to.'
קְצֵ֥הthe end ofN c sg constr · קָצֶה (H7097)Object of the preposition עַדקָצֶה (H7097) 'end, edge'; second occurrence completing the totalizing merism — literally from every conceivable point on earth.
הָאָֽרֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of קְצֵה (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; second member of the merism, closing the exhaustive geographic scope of v.8.
9

לֹא תֹאבֶ֣ה ל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א תִשְׁמַ֖ע אֵלָ֑יו וְלֹא תָח֤וֹס עֵֽינְךָ֙ עָלָ֔יו וְלֹֽא תַחְמֹ֥ל וְלֹֽא תְכַסֶּ֖ה עָלָֽיו

You shall not consent to him, and you shall not listen to him; your eye shall not pity him, and you shall not spare him, and you shall not conceal him.

Apodosis: fivefold prohibition of mercy or concealmentasyndeton
Five negated verbs (consent, listen, pity, spare, conceal) systematically strip away every possible softening response — even from a brother, child, spouse, or soul-friend. The piling-up of near-synonyms (חוּס/חָמַל for pity, plus 'conceal') underscores that natural affection must yield entirely to covenant loyalty.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תֹאבֶהלֹא (H3808), negative particle, opening the apodosis's series of five prohibitions.
תֹאבֶ֣הyou shall consentQal impf 2ms · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (first of the five prohibitions)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not consent/be willing'אָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; negated, 'you shall not be willing (toward him)' — refusing even inward assent to the seducer's proposal.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְAdverbial complement of תֹאבֶהלְ 'to' + 3ms suffix; completes 'consent to him.'
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (second prohibition)וְ joins the second prohibition; לֹא negates תִשְׁמַע.
תִשְׁמַ֖עyou shall listenQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (second prohibition)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not listen/heed'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, heed'; refusing to give the seducer's incitement a hearing at all.
אֵלָ֑יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial complement of תִשְׁמַעאֶל (H413) 'to'; completes 'listen to him.'
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (third prohibition)וְ joins the third prohibition; לֹא negates תָחוֹס.
תָח֤וֹסshall pityQal impf 3fs · חוּס (H2347)Predicate verb (third prohibition; subject עֵינְךָ)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'shall not pity/look with compassion'חוּס (H2347) 'to pity, look with compassion, spare'; here of the 'eye' sparing — refusing any softening of resolve at the sight of the offender.
עֵֽינְךָ֙your eyeN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of תָחוֹסעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'your eye shall not pity' — the seat of compassionate perception, commanded to withhold mercy (cf. 7:16; 19:13,21; 25:12).
עָלָ֔יוon himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of תָחוֹסעַל (H5921) 'upon'; with חוּס, 'pity upon' — completes the idiom.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (fourth prohibition)וְ joins the fourth prohibition; לֹא negates תַחְמֹל.
תַחְמֹ֥לyou shall spareQal impf 2ms · חָמַל (H2550)Predicate verb (fourth prohibition)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not spare'חָמַל (H2550) 'to spare, have compassion'; a near-synonym of חוּס, doubling the prohibition against mercy — the seducer, however beloved, receives none.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (fifth prohibition)וְ joins the fifth prohibition; לֹא negates תְכַסֶּה.
תְכַסֶּ֖הyou shall concealPiel impf 2ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (fifth prohibition)→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive — 'you shall not cover up/conceal'כָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover, conceal'; forbids protecting the offender by silence — the crime must be exposed, not shielded even by intimates.
עָלָֽיוfor himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial complement of תְכַסֶּהעַל (H5921) 'upon, for'; with כָּסָה, 'cover for him' — completes the idiom of shielding an offender.
10

כִּ֤י הָרֹג֙ תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּ יָֽדְךָ֛ תִּֽהְיֶה בּ֥וֹ בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה לַהֲמִית֑וֹ וְיַ֥ד כָּל הָעָ֖ם בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽה

Rather, you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be against him first, to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward.

Positive execution instruction: sequence of hands (witness first, community after)כִּי
Reversing v.9's prohibition of mercy into a positive mandate, this verse specifies procedure: the one who exposed the seducer must strike first, followed by the whole community — a structure paralleling the witness-first principle of 17:7, ensuring the accuser stakes personal responsibility rather than merely denouncing from a distance.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֤יratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/emphatic conjunction introducing the execution instructionsכִּי (H3588), here adversative/asseverative 'rather, surely' — pivoting from the prohibition of mercy (v.9) to the positive command to execute.
הָרֹג֙surelyQal inf abs · הָרַג (H2026)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — reinforces the certainty of the finite verb 'you shall kill'הָרַג (H2026) 'to kill'; the infinitive absolute before the finite verb of the same root produces the emphatic 'you shall surely kill.'
תַּֽהַרְגֶ֔נּוּyou shall kill himQal impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (main clause, intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Imperfect used deontically, emphatic with infinitive absolute: an unmistakable, non-negotiable commandהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill'; finite verb completing the emphatic construction — the mercy withheld in v.9 becomes concrete lethal action here.
יָֽדְךָ֛your handN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of תִּהְיֶהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'your hand' names the addressee personally as the required first executioner — no delegation to strangers.
תִּֽהְיֶהshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Imperfect used deontically: mandated procedure — 'shall be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here establishing the required sequence of execution.
בּ֥וֹagainst himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּAdverbial complement of תִּהְיֶהבְּ 'in, against' + 3ms suffix; idiom יָד...בּוֹ 'hand against him' — a set phrase for initiating an execution.
בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖הfirstprep בְּ + art + adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial phrase (temporal), modifying תִּהְיֶהרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; adverbial 'at the first' — the accuser/witness who exposed the seducer must strike the first blow, forcing accountability for the charge.
לַהֲמִית֑וֹto put him to deathprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · מוּת (H4191)Infinitival purpose clause complementing תִּהְיֶה→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to put him to death'מוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to kill, put to death'; states the purpose of the hand's action, echoing v.6's Hophal יוּמָת now made concretely active.
וְיַ֥דand the hand ofconj וְ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Subject (coordinate with יָדְךָ), construct governing כָּל הָעָםיָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct 'hand of,' introducing the community's participation after the accuser's initiating strike.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the people' — the whole community shares in the execution, communalizing responsibility for purging the evil.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of יַד כָּל (construct chain)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the covenant community collectively, whose participation follows the first witness's hand.
בָּאַחֲרֹנָֽהafterwardprep בְּ + art + adj f sg abs · אַחֲרוֹן (H314)Adverbial phrase (temporal), modifying the implied verb (parallel to תִּהְיֶה)אַחֲרוֹן (H314) 'last, hindmost'; adverbial 'at the last' — completing the first/last sequence, the community follows the initiating witness.
11

וּסְקַלְתּ֥וֹ בָאֲבָנִ֖ים וָמֵ֑ת כִּ֣י בִקֵּ֗שׁ לְהַדִּֽיחֲךָ֙ מֵעַל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ הַמּוֹצִיאֲךָ֛ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים

And you shall stone him with stones, so that he dies, because he sought to draw you away from YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slaves.

Method of execution plus restated indictment (attempted, not necessarily completed, seduction)וְ
Stoning (rather than the unspecified death of v.6) is now specified as the method, requiring communal participation as in v.10. The causal clause restates the crime as בִקֵּשׁ 'he sought' — a perfect verb of intent, meaning liability attaches to the attempt to seduce, not only to a successfully completed apostasy.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּסְקַלְתּ֥וֹand you shall stone himconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3ms suffix · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb (main clause, method of execution)→ Weqatal used deontically: mandated method — 'and you shall stone him'סָקַל (H5619) 'to stone'; specifies the execution method — communal stoning, requiring the participation named in v.10.
בָאֲבָנִ֖יםwith stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Adverbial instrumental phrase, complement of וּסְקַלְתּוֹאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; instrumental 'with stones,' the standard method for capital sentences in this legal corpus (17:5; 22:21,24).
וָמֵ֑תso that he diesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (result clause)→ Weqatal expressing result/consequence: 'and he shall die'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; states the intended lethal outcome of the stoning.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground for the sentenceכִּי (H3588), causal 'because' — restating the crime that warrants the penalty.
בִקֵּ֗שׁhe soughtPiel perf 3ms · בִּקֵּשׁ (H1245)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed act constituting the crime (intent)בִּקֵּשׁ (H1245) Piel 'to seek, seek to'; here of intent/attempt — the crime lies in the seeking itself, whether or not the seduction ultimately succeeded.
לְהַדִּֽיחֲךָ֙to thrust you awayprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2ms suffix · נָדַח (H5080)Infinitival complement of בִּקֵּשׁ (content of the seeking)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — the content of what he soughtנָדַח (H5080) Hiphil 'to banish, thrust away'; the same verb as v.6, naming the seducer's goal — dislodging Israel from YHWH.
מֵעַל֙from uponprep מִן + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (source), complement of לְהַדִּיחֲךָמֵעַל (H5921) compound 'from upon, away from'; marks YHWH as the one from whom the seducer sought to dislodge Israel.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition מֵעַליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one from whom the seducer sought to draw Israel away.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, the covenant title, heading the participial description of YHWH's saving acts that follows.
הַמּוֹצִיאֲךָ֛who brought you outart + Hiphil ptc constr ms + 2ms suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Substantival participle in apposition to יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ→ Participle: substantival/relative, naming YHWH by his redemptive actיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus-formula epithet, repeated from v.6, reinforcing that this God's redemptive credentials make the betrayal graver.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial phrase (source), complement of הַמּוֹצִיאֲךָאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct 'land of Egypt.'
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of אֶרֶץ (construct chain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of Egypt, site of the bondage.
מִבֵּ֥יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial phrase (source), in apposition/parallel to מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִםבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct 'house of slaves,' the parallel exodus epithet.
עֲבָדִֽיםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complement of בֵּית (construct chain)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave'; completing the fixed phrase 'house of slaves' for Egypt.
12

וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִשְׁמְע֖וּ וְיִֽרָא֑וּן וְלֹֽא יוֹסִ֣פוּ לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הָרָ֛ע הַזֶּ֖ה בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ

And all Israel shall hear and fear, and shall not again do such an evil thing in your midst.

Purpose/result clause: the deterrent effect of public justiceוְ
Closing the second test case (vv.7-12), this verse states the pedagogical aim of capital punishment in Deuteronomy's legal theory: publicized justice produces national fear, which prevents recurrence. It also closes an inclusio with v.2's בְּקִרְבְּךָ ('in your midst') — danger and remedy both operate within the community itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing יִשְׂרָאֵל, subject of יִשְׁמְעוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all Israel' — the whole nation as intended audience and beneficiary of this deterrent.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain); subject of יִשְׁמְעוּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, subject of the hearing-and-fearing that follows the execution.
יִשְׁמְע֖וּshall hearQal impf 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, purpose/result of the execution)→ Imperfect used deontically/resultative: intended national effect — 'shall hear (of it)'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the news of the execution is meant to circulate and produce deterrence nationwide.
וְיִֽרָא֑וּןand shall fearconj וְ + Qal impf 3mp (paragogic nun) · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (coordinate with יִשְׁמְעוּ)→ Imperfect (paragogic nun) used resultative: intended effect — 'and shall fear'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the deterrent aim of public justice — hearing produces reverent fear, discouraging future imitation.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negationוְ joins the third clause; לֹא negates יוֹסִפוּ.
יוֹסִ֣פוּshall againHiphil impf 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (negated), auxiliary to לַעֲשׂוֹת→ Imperfect negated: prohibitive/resultative — 'shall not again (do)'יָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, do again'; auxiliary with the following infinitive, 'shall not do again' — echoing v.1's prohibition against adding, now applied to repeating evil.
לַעֲשׂ֗וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival complement of יוֹסִפוּ→ Infinitive construct: complementary, completing 'do again'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; completes the idiom 'not do such a thing again.'
כַּדָּבָ֥רsuch a thingprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Adverbial phrase (comparison), complement of לַעֲשׂוֹתדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; comparative 'like this thing' — referencing the whole preceding scenario of incitement to apostasy.
הָרָ֛עevilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying הַדָּבָררַע (H7451) 'evil'; qualifies 'the thing' as morally evil — apostasy, not merely a legal infraction.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָר הָרָעזֶה (H2088), proximal demonstrative, 'this evil thing' — anaphoric to the whole preceding case.
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial locative phrase, complement of לַעֲשׂוֹתקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; 'in your midst' closes the pericope, echoing vv.2,6 — the community's own space is both the site of danger and the site of the deterrent purge.
13

כִּֽי תִשְׁמַ֞ע בְּאַחַ֣ת עָרֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֛ לָשֶׁ֥בֶת שָׁ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר

If you hear, concerning one of your cities that YHWH your God gives you to dwell there, saying,

Casuistic protasis opening the third and climactic test case (the subverted city)כִּי
The scope escalates a final time: not an individual (prophet or intimate) but an entire city — one of the very cities YHWH is giving Israel to inhabit. The protasis extends through v.14's quoted report before the investigative and punitive apodosis begins in v.15.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasis (third test case)כִּי (H3588), conditional 'if' opening the third and final casuistic scenario — the subverted city.
תִשְׁמַ֞עyou hearQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (protasis of the conditional)→ Imperfect: hypothetical/future — 'should you hear'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; here of receiving a report — the trigger for the investigation procedure that follows.
בְּאַחַ֣תconcerning one ofprep בְּ + numeral f sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Adverbial phrase, complement of תִשְׁמַעאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; construct 'one of your cities' — the scope narrows from individual seducers to an entire municipality.
עָרֶ֗יךָyour citiesN f pl constr + 2ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of אַחַת (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; the third and final test case scales the danger up to an entire municipal population.
אֲשֶׁר֩thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying עָרֶיךָ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause defining the cities as YHWH's gift.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, subject of the giving of the land/cities.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, the covenant title — the very God who grants these cities is the one whose worship the seduction threatens.
נֹתֵ֥ןgivesQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause (present-durative)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing gift, the land grant in progressנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; participle framing the land-gift as YHWH's continuing generosity, heightening the gravity of a city turning against its giver.
לְךָ֛to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ 'to' + 2ms suffix; the recipient of YHWH's gift.
לָשֶׁ֥בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitival purpose clause complementing נֹתֵן→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to dwell'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; purpose of the gift — settled habitation in the land.
שָׁ֖םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of לָשֶׁבֶתשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; locative adverb referring back to 'your cities.'
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces the reported content (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, framing the reported incitement (given in v.14)אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the report of what the sons of Belial said, quoted in v.14.
14

יָצְא֞וּ אֲנָשִׁ֤ים בְּנֵֽי בְלִיַּ֨עַל֙ מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָ וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּ אֶת יֹשְׁבֵ֥י עִירָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵלְכָ֗ה וְנַעַבְדָ֛ה אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא יְדַעְתֶּֽם

Certain worthless men have gone out from your midst and have led astray the inhabitants of their city, saying, 'Let us go and let us serve other gods,' whom you have not known —

Report content: the sons of Belial's accomplished subversion (quoted incitement)asyndeton
The report heard about in v.13 is now given in full: 'sons of Belial' — a fixed idiom for lawless scoundrels — have already succeeded in leading an entire city's population astray, using verbatim the same incitement formula as vv.3,7. The perfect/wayyiqtol verbs (have gone out, have led astray) present this as an accomplished fact requiring investigation before any punitive action, unlike the earlier hypothetical cases.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
יָצְא֞וּhave gone outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, opening the report)→ Perfective: a completed act reported as factיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; states as accomplished fact that seditious men have emerged from the community — the report's opening claim.
אֲנָשִׁ֤יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יָצְאוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural 'men,' the subjects who instigated the city's subversion.
בְּנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun in apposition to אֲנָשִׁים, governing בְלִיַּעַלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct idiom 'sons of' forming the fixed phrase for a category of person.
בְלִיַּ֨עַל֙worthlessnessN m sg abs · בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100)Genitive complement of בְּנֵי (construct chain)בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100) 'worthlessness, wickedness', perhaps from בְּלִי + יַעַל 'without benefit'; 'sons of Belial' is a fixed idiom for lawless scoundrels who defy communal order (cf. Judg 19:22; 1 Sam 2:12), later personified as a name for Satan in Second Temple and NT literature.
מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial phrase (source), complement of יָצְאוּקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; 'from your midst' — reiterating the chapter's recurring emphasis that the danger arises internally, from within Israel itself.
וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּand have led astrayconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָדַח (H5080)Predicate verb (narrative sequence, continuing the report)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the next reported actנָדַח (H5080) Hiphil 'to banish, seduce astray'; the same verb as vv.6,11, now describing the accomplished subversion of an entire city's population.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וַיַּדִּיחוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יֹשְׁבֵי עִירָם as the definite object led astray.
יֹשְׁבֵ֥יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc constr mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Direct object of וַיַּדִּיחוּ, construct governing עִירָם→ Participle: substantival, characterizing role — 'those dwelling'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; substantival participle 'inhabitants,' the deceived population of the whole city.
עִירָ֖םtheir cityN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of יֹשְׁבֵי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; 'their city' — the entire municipal body implicated, not merely the instigating scoundrels.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Introduces direct discourse (quotative infinitive)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, framing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introducing the quoted incitement, verbally identical to vv.3,7.
נֵלְכָ֗הlet us goQal cohortative 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional)→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional — 'let us go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the third occurrence of this incitement verb in the chapter, now on the lips of an entire city's ringleaders.
וְנַעַבְדָ֛הand let us serveconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (quoted direct speech, volitional, coordinate with נֵלְכָה)→ Cohortative: self-exhortation/volitional — 'let us serve'עָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; completing the paired incitement verbs, structurally identical to v.7.
אֱלֹהִ֥יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of the verb וְנַעַבְדָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; pagan deities, modified by אֲחֵרִים.
אֲחֵרִ֖יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; completing the fixed phrase 'other gods,' its third occurrence in the chapter.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing 'whom you have not known,' the third repetition of this characterization.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְדַעְתֶּםלֹא (H3808), negative particle.
יְדַעְתֶּֽםyou have knownQal perf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (negated) of the relative clause→ Perfective negated: 'you have not known/experienced'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential knowledge — the third repetition of this formula characterizing the foreign gods.
15

וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֧ וְחָקַרְתָּ֧ וְשָׁאַלְתָּ֖ הֵיטֵ֑ב וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֱמֶת֙ נָכ֣וֹן הַדָּבָ֔ר נֶעֶשְׂתָ֛ה הַתּוֹעֵבָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ

then you shall inquire and search and ask diligently. And if, behold, it is true and confirmed that this abomination has been done in your midst,

Apodosis: mandated judicial investigation before any punitive actionוְ
Three near-synonymous verbs (inquire, search, ask) intensified by the adverbial infinitive absolute הֵיטֵב ('thoroughly') establish rigorous due process as a non-negotiable precondition — the city's fate cannot rest on rumor. The doubled verification standard (אֱמֶת 'true' plus נָכוֹן 'confirmed') sets an unusually high evidentiary bar before the drastic measures of vv.16-17 may proceed.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֧you shall inquireconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis begins; first of three investigation verbs)→ Weqatal used deontically: mandated legal procedure — 'you shall inquire'דָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire, investigate'; the first of three synonymous investigative verbs mandating due process before any punitive action against the city.
וְחָקַרְתָּ֧and searchconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · חָקַר (H2713)Predicate verb (second of the three investigation verbs)→ Weqatal used deontically: mandated procedure — 'and you shall search'חָקַר (H2713) 'to search out, examine thoroughly'; intensifies דָּרַשׁ, together demanding a rigorous, not perfunctory, inquiry.
וְשָׁאַלְתָּ֖and askconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (third of the three investigation verbs)→ Weqatal used deontically: mandated procedure — 'and you shall ask'שָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; the third verb of the triad — active questioning of witnesses, completing the required legal process.
הֵיטֵ֑בdiligentlyHiphil inf abs · יָטַב (H3190)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying the preceding triad of verbs→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: emphatic thoroughness — 'thoroughly, diligently'יָטַב (H3190) Hiphil 'to do well, do thoroughly'; functioning adverbially, 'well/diligently,' governing all three preceding verbs — no rumor may trigger the city's destruction without exhaustive verification.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the conditional result of the investigationהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, if indeed'; here introducing the conditional outcome of the inquiry — 'and if, behold, it is true.'
אֱמֶת֙trueN f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Predicate nominative of the verbless/participial clause (with נָכוֹן)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, faithfulness'; predicated of 'the matter' — the report must be verified as objectively true.
נָכ֣וֹןconfirmedNiphal ptc ms · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate participle (with אֱמֶת) of הַדָּבָר→ Participle: stative/resultative — 'established, confirmed'כּוּן (H3559) Niphal 'to be established, confirmed, certain'; paired with אֱמֶת, a double-verification standard — both 'true' and 'firmly established' by the investigation.
הַדָּבָ֔רthe matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the predicate נָכוֹן אֱמֶתדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; 'the matter/report' concerning the city's apostasy, the object of the required investigation.
נֶעֶשְׂתָ֛הhas been doneNiphal perf 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (passive) of the subordinate clause defining הַדָּבָר→ Perfective (Niphal passive): a completed act — 'has been done'עָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'to be done, be committed'; passive voice describing the abomination as an accomplished act requiring confirmation.
הַתּוֹעֵבָ֥הthe abominationart + N f sg abs · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Subject of נֶעֶשְׂתָהתּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; the strong cultic-moral term Deuteronomy reserves for practices intolerable to YHWH — here the city's apostasy to other gods.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַתּוֹעֵבָהזֹאת (H2063), proximal demonstrative feminine, 'this abomination' — anaphoric to the reported apostasy of vv.13-14.
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial locative phrase, complement of נֶעֶשְׂתָהקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; 'in your midst,' the recurring locative marking the community as the site of the crime and, eventually, the purge.
16

הַכֵּ֣ה תַכֶּ֗ה אֶת יֹֽשְׁבֵ֛י הָעִ֥יר ההוא הַהִ֖יא לְפִי חָ֑רֶב הַחֲרֵ֨ם אֹתָ֧הּ וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּ֛הּ וְאֶת בְּהֶמְתָּ֖הּ לְפִי חָֽרֶב

you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying it and all that is in it, its livestock included, with the edge of the sword.

Apodosis: the herem-ban command against the confirmed apostate cityasyndeton
Once the crime is verified (v.15), the response is total: every inhabitant, every possession, even the livestock, falls under חֵרֶם ('the ban'), the same category of irrevocable destruction Deuteronomy elsewhere reserves for Canaanite cities (ch. 20) — an Israelite city that apostatizes forfeits the very protections of Israelite identity. The doubled 'edge of the sword' framing the verse forms an inclusio of total destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
הַכֵּ֣הsurelyHiphil inf abs · נָכָה (H5221)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — reinforces the certainty of 'you shall strike'נָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; infinitive absolute before the finite verb of the same root produces the emphatic 'you shall surely strike.'
תַכֶּ֗הyou shall strikeHiphil impf 2ms · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause, intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Imperfect used deontically, emphatic with infinitive absolute: an unmistakable commandנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; finite verb completing the emphatic construction — commanding the destruction of the city's population.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of תַכֶּה)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יֹשְׁבֵי הָעִיר as the definite object of the striking.
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֛יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc constr mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Direct object of תַכֶּה, construct governing הָעִיר→ Participle: substantival, characterizing role — 'those dwelling'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell'; substantival participle 'inhabitants,' the entire confirmed population targeted for destruction.
הָעִ֥ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of יֹשְׁבֵי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city', now definite, referring to the confirmed subverted city of vv.13-15.
ההואthat (kethiv)art + demonstrative pron 3ms (kethiv, unpointed) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעִיר (written form)הוּא (H1931); the Kethiv (consonantal written text) gives the masculine form הַהוּא, though עִיר is feminine — a scribal Kethiv/Qere discrepancy corrected by the Qere הַהִיא immediately following.
הַהִ֖יאthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs (qere) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעִיר (read form, grammatically agreeing)הִיא (H1931), the Qere (traditionally read form), correctly feminine to agree with עִיר — 'that city.'
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial instrumental phrase, complement of תַכֶּהפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, edge'; idiom לְפִי חֶרֶב 'to/with the mouth (edge) of the sword' — the standard expression for total destruction by the sword.
חָ֑רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of פִּי (construct chain)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the idiom 'edge of the sword,' denoting complete military destruction.
הַחֲרֵ֨םutterly destroyHiphil inf abs · חָרַם (H2763)Infinitive absolute functioning imperativally, reinforcing/introducing the ban command→ Infinitive absolute used as an emphatic command: 'you shall utterly ban/destroy'חָרַם (H2763) Hiphil 'to devote to destruction, place under the ban (חֵרֶם)'; the infinitive absolute stands for an emphatic command — total, irrevocable consecration to destruction, the same category applied to Canaanite cities (ch. 20).
אֹתָ֧הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הַחֲרֵםאֵת + 3fs suffix, 'it' (the city, feminine) as object of the ban.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing a second object of הַחֲרֵםוְ joins the second object; אֵת marks כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּהּ as also placed under the ban.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing the relative clause אֲשֶׁר בָּהּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all that is in it' — extending the ban to every person and object within the city.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying כָּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause 'that is in it,' universalizing the scope of the ban.
בָּ֛הּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּPredicate of the relative clauseבְּ 'in' + 3fs suffix referring to the city — 'that is in it.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing a third object of the ban commandוְ joins the third object; אֵת marks בְּהֶמְתָּהּ, specifying livestock explicitly within the totalizing ban.
בְּהֶמְתָּ֖הּits livestockN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object (coordinate with the previous objects of the ban)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock'; explicitly named to remove ambiguity — even the animals, ordinarily retained as spoil elsewhere, fall under this ban.
לְפִיwith the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial instrumental phrase (repeated), framing the whole verse's commandפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, edge'; the idiom is repeated to close the verse, framing the entire destruction — people, contents, and livestock alike — by the sword.
חָֽרֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of פִּי (construct chain)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the repeated idiom, closing the verse's command of total destruction.
17

וְאֶת כָּל שְׁלָלָ֗הּ תִּקְבֹּץ֮ אֶל תּ֣וֹךְ רְחֹבָהּ֒ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֨ בָאֵ֜שׁ אֶת הָעִ֤יר וְאֶת כָּל שְׁלָלָהּ֙ כָּלִ֔יל לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ וְהָיְתָה֙ תֵּ֣ל עוֹלָ֔ם לֹ֥א תִבָּנֶ֖ה עֽוֹד

And you shall gather all its spoil into the middle of its open square and burn the city and all its spoil with fire, as a whole burnt offering to YHWH your God; and it shall be a perpetual ruin-mound — it shall never be rebuilt again.

Disposal procedure: total incineration of spoil and city as an offering, with permanent-ruin clauseוְ
The confiscated spoil, normally distributed among the victors elsewhere in Deuteronomy's war laws, is here wholly burned כָּלִיל ('as a whole burnt offering') — destruction reframed as an act of worship rather than profit, since the city's own sin was cultic. The permanent-ruin clause (תֵּל עוֹלָם, 'never rebuilt') gives the site a lasting, visible function as a monument against apostasy, paralleling Joshua's treatment of Ai and Jericho.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object of תִּקְבֹּץוְ continues from v.16; אֵת marks כָּל שְׁלָלָהּ as the object to be gathered.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing שְׁלָלָהּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all its spoil' — the totality of plunder, none reserved for personal gain.
שְׁלָלָ֗הּits spoilN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלָל (H7998)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)שָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil, plunder'; ordinarily distributed among Israelite fighters, but here — unlike normal warfare law — wholly consigned to burning.
תִּקְבֹּץ֮you shall gatherQal impf 2ms · קָבַץ (H6908)Predicate verb (main clause, first step of the disposal procedure)→ Imperfect used deontically: mandated procedure — 'you shall gather'קָבַץ (H6908) 'to gather, collect'; the spoil must first be assembled centrally before its destruction, ensuring nothing is quietly diverted.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, complement of תִּקְבֹּץאֶל (H413) 'to'; directs the gathering to a specific location.
תּ֣וֹךְthe midst ofN m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Object of the preposition אֶל, construct governing רְחֹבָהּתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; construct 'midst of' specifying the exact gathering point.
רְחֹבָהּ֒its open squareN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · רְחוֹב (H7339)Genitive complement of תּוֹךְ (construct chain)רְחוֹב (H7339) 'open square, plaza'; the city's public square — a visible, central site of the burning, not a hidden corner.
וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֨and you shall burnconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause, second step)→ Weqatal used deontically: mandated procedure — 'and you shall burn'שָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the method of destroying both the city and its spoil, total and irreversible.
בָאֵ֜שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial instrumental phrase, complement of וְשָׂרַפְתָּאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; instrumental — fire as the agent of total destruction.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וְשָׂרַפְתָּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite object of the burning.
הָעִ֤ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of וְשָׂרַפְתָּעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the physical structure itself, condemned along with its population and spoil.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing a second object of the burningוְ joins the second object; אֵת marks כָּל שְׁלָלָהּ as also consigned to the fire.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing שְׁלָלָהּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; repeating the total scope of the spoil, now the object of burning rather than mere gathering.
שְׁלָלָהּ֙its spoilN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלָל (H7998)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)שָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil'; the same plunder gathered in the square, now burned rather than distributed.
כָּלִ֔ילas a whole burnt offeringadj m sg abs · כָּלִיל (H3632)Adverbial/predicate complement describing the manner of the burning ('wholly, entirely')כָּלִיל (H3632) 'whole, entire', used substantivally/adverbially for a wholly-burnt offering (cf. Lev 6:15-16; the עֹלָה 'whole burnt offering'); the destroyed spoil is offered entirely to YHWH rather than plundered — an act of worship, not profit.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Adverbial phrase (dative of recipient), complement of the whole-burningיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; 'to YHWH' frames the destruction as a sacrificial offering to the very God the city betrayed.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, completing the covenant title — the offering is made to the nation's own God.
וְהָיְתָה֙and it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, stating the permanent result)→ Weqatal expressing enduring result: 'and it shall become/remain'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the permanent, irreversible outcome of the destruction.
תֵּ֣לa mound ofN m sg constr · תֵּל (H8510)Predicate nominative of וְהָיְתָה, construct governing עוֹלָםתֵּל (H8510) 'mound, ruin-heap'; the technical term for an abandoned ruin-mound — the city's permanent memorial of judgment (cf. Josh 8:28 of Ai).
עוֹלָ֔םperpetuityN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive complement of תֵּל (construct chain)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'forever, perpetuity'; 'a perpetual ruin-mound' — the destruction is meant to be permanent and irreversible, a lasting sign.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִבָּנֶהלֹא (H3808), negative particle.
תִבָּנֶ֖הit shall be rebuiltNiphal impf 3fs · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (negated, main clause continuing the permanence statement)→ Imperfect (Niphal passive) negated: prohibitive/permanent — 'it shall not be rebuilt'בָּנָה (H1129) Niphal 'to be built'; the passive prohibition against rebuilding seals the city's permanent status as a ruin, unlike ordinarily destroyed cities which might later be resettled.
עֽוֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial complement of תִבָּנֶהעוֹד (H5750) 'again, still'; completes 'never again be rebuilt' — the permanence intensifier closing the pericope's punitive measures.
18

וְלֹֽא יִדְבַּ֧ק בְּיָדְךָ֛ מְא֖וּמָה מִן הַחֵ֑רֶם לְמַעַן֩ יָשׁ֨וּב יְהוָ֜ה מֵחֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֗וֹ וְנָֽתַן לְךָ֤ רַחֲמִים֙ וְרִֽחַמְךָ֣ וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ

And let nothing from the banned things cling to your hand, so that YHWH may turn from his burning anger and show you compassion, and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he swore to your fathers,

Conditional purpose clause: strict non-appropriation as the condition for restored divine mercyוְ
The prohibition against personal gain from the חֵרֶם (cf. Achan's sin in Josh 7) is explicitly tied to a theological consequence: only a scrupulously executed, profit-free purge allows YHWH's anger to relent and his compassion (רַחֲמִים, doubled with the cognate verb) and the patriarchal promise of multiplication to resume. The verse reframes the chapter's harsh logic — destruction of evil is the necessary precondition for renewed blessing, not blessing's opposite.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְלֹֽאand let nothingconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation, opening the prohibitionוְ links to v.17's disposal instructions; לֹא negates יִדְבַּק, forbidding any residue of the banned material from clinging.
יִדְבַּ֧קshall clingQal impf 3ms · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Imperfect negated: absolute prohibition — 'nothing shall cling'דָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, cleave'; the same root as v.5's positive command to cling to YHWH — here negatively, forbidding any devoted object from clinging to the executor's hand.
בְּיָדְךָ֛to your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial complement of יִדְבַּקיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'to your hand' — no individual may personally profit from even a fragment of the condemned city's goods.
מְא֖וּמָהanythingN f sg abs · מְאוּמָה (H3972)Subject of יִדְבַּקמְאוּמָה (H3972) 'anything, something'; with the negation, 'nothing whatsoever' — total exclusion of personal gain.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, complement of מְאוּמָהמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the source, 'from the banned things.'
הַחֵ֑רֶםthe banned thingart + N m sg abs · חֵרֶם (H2764)Object of the preposition מִןחֵרֶם (H2764) 'devoted/banned thing'; the noun form of the verb חָרַם in v.16 — the entire category of goods placed under the irrevocable ban, forbidden to any private hand (cf. Achan, Josh 7).
לְמַעַן֩so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing the result clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the ultimate purpose of strict compliance — appeasing YHWH's anger.
יָשׁ֨וּבmay turnQal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Imperfect: purposive/volitional — 'so that he may turn (back)'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; here of YHWH's anger relenting — obedience in the ban's execution is the condition for divine relief.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יָשׁוּביְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, subject of the turning from anger.
מֵחֲר֣וֹןfrom the burning ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · חָרוֹן (H2740)Adverbial phrase (source), complement of יָשׁוּבחָרוֹן (H2740) 'burning (anger)'; construct 'burning of his anger' — the intense divine wrath provoked by the city's apostasy.
אַפּ֗וֹhis angerN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אַף (H639)Genitive complement of חֲרוֹן (construct chain)אַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; idiom חֲרוֹן אַף 'burning anger,' the standard Hebrew expression for fierce divine wrath.
וְנָֽתַןand giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (continuing the purpose/result chain)→ Weqatal continuing purposive sequence: 'and (so that he may) give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the positive counterpart to turning from anger — YHWH bestowing compassion.
לְךָ֤to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect object of וְנָתַןלְ 'to' + 2ms suffix; the recipient of YHWH's compassion.
רַחֲמִים֙compassionN m pl abs · רַחֲמִים (H7356)Direct object of וְנָתַןרַחֲמִים (H7356) 'compassion, mercy', plural of intensity, from רֶחֶם 'womb' — the tender, visceral mercy YHWH extends once the community has purged the evil obediently.
וְרִֽחַמְךָ֣and have compassion on youconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָחַם (H7355)Predicate verb (continuing the purpose/result chain)→ Weqatal continuing purposive sequence: 'and (so that he may) have compassion on you'רָחַם (H7355) Piel 'to have compassion, show mercy'; cognate with רַחֲמִים, doubling the emphasis on YHWH's restored tenderness after the ordeal.
וְהִרְבֶּ֔ךָand multiply youconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (continuing the purpose/result chain)→ Weqatal continuing purposive sequence: 'and (so that he may) multiply you'רָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to make many, multiply'; population growth as tangible evidence of restored covenant blessing (cf. the patriarchal promises).
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the oath clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as'; introduces the patriarchal oath as the standard by which the multiplication is measured.
נִשְׁבַּ֖עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior act — the ancestral oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear (an oath)'; refers to YHWH's covenant oath to the patriarchs, grounding the promised multiplication in prior, unbreakable divine commitment.
לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; 'your fathers' — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recipients of the original oath now invoked to reassure the obedient generation.
19

כִּ֣י תִשְׁמַ֗ע בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹר֙ אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ הַיָּשָׁ֔ר בְּעֵינֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ

when you listen to the voice of YHWH your God, to keep all his commandments that I am commanding you today, to do what is right in the eyes of YHWH your God.

Closing condition: the whole chapter's demand summarized as obedient right-doingכִּי
The chapter closes by folding its three harsh test cases back into the positive, comprehensive demand with which it opened (v.1's מְצַוֶּה … לַעֲשׂוֹת): total obedience to YHWH's voice, defined not by human custom but by 'what is right in the eyes of YHWH your God.' This final clause functions as the chapter's own justification — the executions and destructions it has mandated are themselves framed as instances of doing the right thing before God.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction closing the pericope's conditionכִּי (H3588), here temporal/conditional 'when/if' — a final condition attached to the whole preceding chapter's promise of compassion and multiplication.
תִשְׁמַ֗עyou listenQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (protasis/condition)→ Imperfect: conditional/habitual — 'when you obey'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; closing the chapter with the same verb that structured its opening test (v.4) — obedience versus the false prophet's word, now generalized to YHWH's voice as a whole.
בְּקוֹל֙to the voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Adverbial phrase, complement of תִשְׁמַעקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; 'the voice of YHWH' — his commanding word, echoing v.5's וּבְקֹלוֹ תִשְׁמָעוּ.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹל (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, whose voice is to be obeyed.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, the covenant title, closing the chapter's repeated formula.
לִשְׁמֹר֙to keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Infinitival complement of תִשְׁמַע (specifying content of obedience)→ Infinitive construct: complementary — specifying what obedience entailsשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; echoes v.1's and v.5's programmatic verb, framing the whole chapter's demand as one instance of covenant-keeping.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of לִשְׁמֹר)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל מִצְוֺתָיו as the definite object to be kept.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun governing מִצְוֺתָיוכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all his commandments' — total, not selective, obedience.
מִצְוֺתָ֔יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; YHWH's covenant stipulations, echoing v.5's מִצְוֺתָיו.
אֲשֶׁ֛רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying מִצְוֺתָיו)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the commandments as those currently being given.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with מְצַוְּךָ)אָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun, echoing v.1's opening — Moses' (and YHWH's) authoritative voice framing both the beginning and end of the chapter.
מְצַוְּךָ֖am commanding youPiel ptc ms + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate participle (main clause of the relative clause)→ Participle: durative present — an ongoing, currently-binding act of commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; the same verb as v.1's מְצַוֶּה, forming an inclusio around the entire chapter.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial temporal phrase, complement of מְצַוְּךָיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'today' — the fixed Deuteronomic marker of the present moment of covenant address, stressing immediacy and contemporary obligation.
לַעֲשׂוֹת֙to doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival purpose/result clause complementing the whole preceding obedience→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — 'so as to do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; echoes v.1's and v.12's לַעֲשׂוֹת — the chapter closes as it began, on the demand for concrete performance, not mere assent.
הַיָּשָׁ֔רwhat is rightart + adj m sg abs · יָשָׁר (H3477)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתיָשָׁר (H3477) 'right, upright, straight'; substantival 'the right/upright thing' — the positive moral standard by which all the chapter's harsh measures are themselves justified as right in YHWH's own eyes.
בְּעֵינֵ֖יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial phrase, complement of הַיָּשָׁר (defining the standard of rightness)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'in the eyes of' — the standard of judgment, here explicitly divine rather than merely human or customary.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of עֵינֵי (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, whose own perspective is the ultimate standard of moral rightness.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositive to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2ms suffix, the covenant title, closing the chapter on its recurring formula — the whole chapter's demand is anchored in the identity of Israel's own covenant God.