The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:17 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:17

KJV: They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

YLT: They sacrifice to demons -- no god! Gods they have not known -- New ones -- from the vicinity they came; Not feared them have your fathers!

Darby: They sacrificed unto demons who are not +God; To gods whom they knew not, To new ones, who came newly up, Whom your fathers revered not.

ASV: They sacrificed unto demons, which were no God, To gods that they knew not, To new gods that came up of late, Which your fathers dreaded not.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

They sacrificed  unto devils,  not to God;  to gods  whom they knew  not, to new  [gods that] came  newly  up,  whom your fathers  feared  not. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:17 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 32:15-35 - Moses' Song: Israel's Response
"Jeshurun" is a pet name for Israel, implying affection and endearment. The metaphor employed is derived from a pampered animal which, in consequence of rich and plentiful feeding, becomes mischievous and vicious.
Let us be warned by these denunciations against backsliding and willful sin. The greatness of our privileges will be the measure of the anguish of our doom. They who are exalted to Heaven by privilege must be cast down to Hades if they refuse and reject. The most fervent love becomes the hottest fire when it turns to jealousy. O my soul, it becomes thee to fear God as well as love Him. Remember Hebrews 10:26.
But what privileges await those who obey! When we abide in God, no enemy can stand against us. Five, strong in His miraculous fellowship, can chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand. See Leviticus 26:8; also 1 Samuel 14:1, etc. God shows "Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." See 2 Chronicles 16:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 32

1  Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46  He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48  God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 32:17 mean?

They sacrificed to demons not to God [To [gods] not they did know to new [gods] new arrivals that did fear your fathers
יִזְבְּח֗וּ לַשֵּׁדִים֙ לֹ֣א אֱלֹ֔הַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים לֹ֣א יְדָע֑וּם חֲדָשִׁים֙ מִקָּרֹ֣ב בָּ֔אוּ שְׂעָר֖וּם אֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם

יִזְבְּח֗וּ  They  sacrificed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: זָבַח  
Sense: to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice.
לַשֵּׁדִים֙  to  demons 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: שֵׁד  
Sense: demon.
אֱלֹ֔הַ  to  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱלֹוהַּ  
Sense: God.
אֱלֹהִ֖ים  [To  [gods] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
יְדָע֑וּם  they  did  know 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural, third person masculine plural
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
חֲדָשִׁים֙  to  new  [gods] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: חָדָשׁ  
Sense: new, new thing, fresh.
מִקָּרֹ֣ב  new 
Parse: Preposition-m, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: קָרֹוב  
Sense: near.
בָּ֔אוּ  arrivals 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
שְׂעָר֖וּם  that  did  fear 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׂעַר 
Sense: to storm, shiver, dread, bristle (with horror), be very afraid.
אֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם  your  fathers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.