Devarim 8:19

19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget Hashem Eloheicha, and walk after acharei elohim, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you today that ye shall surely perish.

Devarim 8:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 8:19

And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God,
&c.] Either the mercies they received from him, not acknowledging they came from him, but ascribing them to themselves; or their duty to him, to whom they were so greatly obliged: and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them; which would be to forget him indeed, forsaking his worship, and giving homage and adoration to idols, which is what is intended by these expressions:

I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish;
by one judgment and calamity or another, as the sword, famine, pestilence, and captivity; there being nothing more provoking to God than idolatry, which so much detracts from his honour and glory: and which besides, in such a people, so highly favoured of God, it argued the basest ingratitude.

Devarim 8:19 In-Context

17 And thou say in thine lev, My ko’ach (power) and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this chayil (wealth).

18 But thou shalt remember Hashem Eloheicha; for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that He may establish His Brit which He swore unto Avoteicha, as it is yom hazeh.

19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget Hashem Eloheicha, and walk after acharei elohim, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you today that ye shall surely perish.

20 As the Goyim which Hashem destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of Hashem Eloheichem.