King James Bible
"(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth."
The parenthetical emphasizes God's zealous exclusivity—He tolerates no rival deities and dwells directly among Israel. This "jealousy" reflects covenant loyalty rather than petty envy, demanding Israel's undivided worship as their present, active God. This warns that idolatry will ignite divine wrath, portrayed as a fire that consumes covenant breakers. The personal address ("thy God") underscores the relational betrayal that provokes such severe judgment. The ultimate consequence is total annihilation—complete removal from the promised land. This echoes the covenant curses and serves as the most severe warning against apostasy, showing that Israel's very existence depends on faithfulness to Yahweh alone.