Deuteronomy 12:30

30 {take care} so that you are not ensnared {into imitating them} after their being destroyed from {before you}, and so that you not enquire concerning their gods, {saying}, 'How did these nations serve their gods, and [thus] {I myself} want to do also.'

Deuteronomy 12:30 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:30

Take heed to thyself, that thou be not snared by following
them
Their examples and customs, and so be drawn into the same idolatrous practices; see ( Psalms 106:35 Psalms 106:36 ) , after that they be destroyed from before thee; for their idolatries and other sins:

and that thou inquire not after their gods;
what they were, their names, forms, and figures:

saying, how did these nations serve their gods?
what was the manner of worship they gave them? what rites, customs, and ceremonies did they use in their adoration of them?

even so will I do likewise;
or however, if this was not determined on when the inquiries were made, there was danger that this would be the result of them, and therefore the caution is given.

Deuteronomy 12:30 In-Context

28 {Be careful to obey} all these things that I [am] commanding you, so that {it will go well} for you and for your children after you {forever}, because then you will [be] doing what is good and right in the eyes of Yahweh your God.

29 "When Yahweh your God has cut off the nations whom you [are] {about to go to}, to dispossess them {before you}, and you have dispossessed them, and you live in their land,

30 {take care} so that you are not ensnared {into imitating them} after their being destroyed from {before you}, and so that you not enquire concerning their gods, {saying}, 'How did these nations serve their gods, and [thus] {I myself} want to do also.'

31 You must not do so toward Yahweh your God, because of every detestable thing they have done for their gods Yahweh hates, for even their sons and their daughters they would burn in the fire to their gods.

32 All of the things that I [am] commanding you, {you must diligently observe}; you shall not add to it, and you shall not take away from it."

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "Watch for yourself"
• [b]. Literally "after them"
• [c]. Literally "from the face of you"
• [d]. Literally "to say"
• [e]. Emphatic use of the pronoun