Deuteronomy 13:7

7 They may be the gods of the people around you, who live near or far, from one end of the land to the other.)

Deuteronomy 13:7 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 13:7

Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you,
&c.] As of the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Phoenicians:

nigh unto thee;
as the above were, being on the borders of their land: the Targum of Jonathan interprets this of the idols of the seven nations, that is, of the land of Canaan: or

far off from thee;
as the Babylonians, Persians, and others:

from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
which includes all the idols in the world, worshipped by whatsoever nation, and which were forbidden; and which shows the universality of idolatry in those times, and that that is an insufficient argument in its favour. Jarchi interprets this of the sun and moon, and the host of heaven, who go from one end of the world to the other; and this seems to have been the first and most common idolatry of the Gentile world, and which were worshipped in the several deities they set up.

Deuteronomy 13:7 In-Context

5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and freed you from slavery. He was trying to lead you away from following the directions the LORD your God gave you. You must get rid of this evil.

6 Your own brother, son, or daughter, the wife you love, or your best friend may secretly tempt you, saying, "Let's go worship other gods." (Those gods may be gods that you and your ancestors never knew.

7 They may be the gods of the people around you, who live near or far, from one end of the land to the other.)

8 Don't be influenced by any of these people or listen to them. Have no pity on them. Don't feel sorry for them or protect them.

9 You must put them to death. You must start the execution. Then all the other people will join you in putting them to death.