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Deuteronomy 4:24

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 4:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For Jehovah thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For Jehovah thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 4:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21Furthermore Jehovah was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:
22but I must die in this land, I must not go over the Jordan; but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
23Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of Jehovah your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image in the form of anything which Jehovah thy God hath forbidden thee.
24For Jehovah thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.
25When thou shalt beget children, and children`s children, and ye shall have been long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image in the form of anything, and shall do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah thy God, to provoke him to anger;
26I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over the Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.
27And Jehovah will scatter you among the peoples, and ye shall be left few in number among the nations, whither Jehovah shall lead you away.
← Deuteronomy 4:23Deuteronomy 4:25 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A consuming fire - A just and terrible God, who, notwithstanding his special relation to thee, will severely punish thee, if thou provoke him. A jealous God - Who being espoused to thee, will be highly incensed against thee, (if thou follow after other lovers, or commit whoredom with idols) and will bear no rival or partner. Deuteronomy 4:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:24 God does not have the petty human emotion of jealousy. Rather, the phrase jealous God shows that God was asserting his uniqueness and claiming exclusive worship (6:15; Lev 10:2; Num 16:35). The Hebrew word can be rendered as “jealous” or “zealous.” God zealously protects his own reputation as the universal sovereign.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thy God: Deu 9:3, Deu 32:22; Exo 24:17; Psa 21:9; Isa 30:33, Isa 33:14; Jer 21:12-14; Nah 1:6; Zep 1:18; Heb 12:29 a jealous God: Deu 6:15, Deu 29:20, Deu 32:16, Deu 32:21; Exo 20:5, Exo 34:14; Psa 78:58; Isa 42:8; Nah 1:2; Zep 3:8; Co1 10:22 Deuteronomy 4:25”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification