Deuteronomy 4:28
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם־שָׁ֣ם אֱלֹהִ֔ים מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יְדֵ֣י אָדָ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־יִרְאוּן֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּן וְלֹ֥א יֹֽאכְל֖וּן וְלֹ֥א יְרִיחֻֽן׃
Future Prediction: וַעֲבַדְתֶּם־שָׁם אֱלֹהִים
וַעֲבַדְתֶּם is a Qal wayyiqtol 2mp of ע־ב־ד (“to serve”), used here predictively: “and you shall serve.” The location שָׁם (“there”) marks exile, indicating worship in a foreign land. אֱלֹהִים here refers not to the true God, but to foreign idols — a bitter irony conveyed by context.
Handmade Gods: מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָם
מַעֲשֵׂה (“work, product”) is a construct noun connected to יְדֵי אָדָם (“the hands of man”). Together, they describe idols as human artifacts — exposing their inferiority compared to the Creator. The construct chain emphasizes human creation rather than divine origin.
Material Composition: עֵץ וָאֶבֶן
עֵץ (“wood”) and אֶבֶן (“stone”) name the materials of the idols. וָ (“and”) connects them, portraying idols as lifeless, inanimate objects, utterly lacking the life associated with the true God. This physical description reinforces their impotence.
Relative Clause: אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִרְאוּן וְלֹא יִשְׁמְעוּן וְלֹא יֹאכְלוּן וְלֹא יְרִיחוּן
אֲשֶׁר (“who/which”) introduces a relative clause specifying the idols’ deficiencies. A series of Qal imperfect 3mp forms with negations (לֹא) follows:
- יִרְאוּן — “they do not see” (from ר־א־ה)
- יִשְׁמְעוּן — “they do not hear” (from ש־מ־ע)
- יֹאכְלוּן — “they do not eat” (from א־כ־ל)
- יְרִיחוּן — “they do not smell” (from ר־י־ח)
This rhythmic quadruple negation highlights the complete sensory impotence of idols, mocking their inability to interact with the world.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Deuteronomy 4:28
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וַעֲבַדְתֶּם | ע־ב־ד | Qal wayyiqtol (2mp) | “You shall serve” — future prophetic action |
| יִרְאוּן | ר־א־ה | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They will not see” — negated capability |
| יִשְׁמְעוּן | ש־מ־ע | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They will not hear” — negated capability |
| יֹאכְלוּן | א־כ־ל | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They will not eat” — negated capability |
| יְרִיחוּן | ר־י־ח | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They will not smell” — negated capability |
The Grammar of Futile Worship
In Deuteronomy 4:28, Hebrew grammar denounces idolatry not only through content but through tightly crafted structure: prophetic future verbs predict exile, construct chains expose idols’ human origins, and rhythmic negations mock their impotence. The sensory verbs stripped of life mirror the spiritual barrenness awaiting those who turn from YHWH to the works of their own hands.
