Deuteronomy 12:29-31

Warning Against Idolatry

29 "When 1the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land,
30 take care 2that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods?--that I also may do the same.'
31 3You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way, for every 4abominable thing that the LORD hates they have done for their gods, for 5they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.

Deuteronomy 12:29-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 12

In this chapter orders are given to destroy all altars, pillars, groves, and images, made for the worship of idols in the land of Canaan, De 12:1-3 and to bring all sacrifices and holy things unto the place which the Lord should choose for his habitation, and not do as they then did, not being come to their rest, De 12:4-14, flesh for their common food might be killed and eaten in their own houses, provided they did not eat the blood, but poured it out upon the earth, De 12:15-25, tithes, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be eaten in the holy place, De 12:17-19 and burnt offerings to be offered on the altar of the Lord and the blood of them to be poured out upon the altar, De 12:26-28, all which they were carefully to observe, De 12:29, and they are cautioned against idolatry, and inquiring after the manner of it, as practised by the old inhabitants of the land, and introducing their customs into the service of God, De 12:30-32.

Cross References 5

  • 1. Deuteronomy 19:1; Joshua 23:4, 5
  • 2. Deuteronomy 7:16
  • 3. ver. 4; Lev. 18:3, 26, 30; [2 Kings 17:15]
  • 4. Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 17:1; Deuteronomy 18:12; Deuteronomy 23:18; Deuteronomy 25:16; Deuteronomy 27:15
  • 5. 2 Kings 17:31; Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 19:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.