Deuteronomy 18:9
“When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse doesn't just warn against foreign practices; it highlights the proactive nature of "learning." Israel isn't just told not to do these things, but specifically not to learn them, emphasizing that adopting such customs begins with curiosity and imitation, not outright adoption. This subtle focus on the process of learning reveals God's concern for the heart's disposition and the insidious way harmful influences can take root.
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, they are warned against adopting the sinful practices of the nations already living there. This passage specifically addresses forbidden methods of seeking supernatural guidance, which were common among the Canaanites and other surrounding peoples. God's people are commanded to be holy and distinct, not to imitate the detestable rituals that led to the downfall of those nations.
God promises a rich, fruitful land. But His promise comes with a serious warning: don't pick up the bad habits of the people already living there.
A Fresh Start, Not a Blend
Imagine moving into a beautiful new home. It's yours, a gift from someone generous. But what if the previous owners left behind some really unhealthy patterns or destructive ways of living? God's promise of the Promised Land was similar.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Deuteronomy 18:9 is available in the Sola app.
This wasn't just about avoiding certain rituals; it was about a fundamental commitment to God's way of life over the ways of the world.
The Bible calls these practices 'abominations.' What exactly were they, and why did they provoke God's judgment so severely?
Beyond Superstition: Deep Corruption
The term 'abominations' in Deuteronomy refers to practices that were not just wrong, but deeply offensive and detestable to God. The commentaries point to several key areas:
God's prohibition wasn't arbitrary. These 'abominations' demonstrated a rejection of God's authority and sovereignty. They revealed a desire to control the uncontrollable and to seek answers and power apart from the One who truly held them. This deep-seated rebellion was why the nations were judged and dispossessed.
The command isn't just to not do these things, but to 'not learn to do' them. What does this subtle distinction reveal?
Guarding Against Subtle Seduction
The phrase 'shall not learn to do' (Hebrew: tiqreh in some interpretations) is significant. It implies a process, a gradual adoption of habits and ways of thinking that can subtly draw people away from God.
God desires His people to be so immersed in His ways that the practices of the world appear foreign and offensive, not something to be studied or imitated.
Understand the original words
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Something morally detestable, loathsome, or offensive to God, particularly associated with idolatry, pagan worship, or ethical violations that disrupt the covenant relationship between God and His people.
This passage echoes the command in Deuteronomy, warning against seeking out mediums and wizards, calling them 'abominations,' which reinforces the gravity of avoiding such practices.
1 Samuel 28:3-19This narrative vividly illustrates the negative consequences of seeking guidance from forbidden spiritual sources, showing King Saul consulting a medium with disastrous results.
Isaiah 8:19This verse directly condemns seeking guidance from spirits and the dead, contrasting it with seeking the law and the testimony of God, highlighting the spiritual danger of the practices forbidden in Deuteronomy.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16This New Testament passage warns believers against being unequally yoked with unbelievers, which extends to adopting their practices and beliefs, paralleling the separation required from the Canaanites' abominations.
1 John 4:1This verse instructs believers to test the spirits, warning that many false prophets have gone out into the world, which speaks to the need for discernment and avoidance of deceptive spiritual practices as commanded in Deuteronomy.
ellicottDeuteronomy 18:9: "When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations."
(9-14) Certain forms of idolatry to be avoided, especially unlawful means of communication with the unseen world.
calvinDeuteronomy 18:9-14: "When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations."
- When thou art come. It is too well known from experience how eagerly the human race lays hold of bad examples, and how prone it is to imitate them. Especially those who come into a foreign land, accustom themselves readily to its manners and customs. This is the reason why God expressly commands the Israelites to beware, lest, when th…
This verse doesn't just warn against foreign practices; it highlights the proactive nature of "learning." Israel isn't just told not to do these things, but specifically not to learn them, emphasizing that adopting such customs begins with curiosity and imitation, not outright adoption. This subtle focus on the process of learning reveals God's concern for the heart's disposition and the insidious way harmful influences can take root.
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, they are warned against adopting the sinful practices of the nations already living there. This passage specifically addresses forbidden methods of seeking supernatural guidance, which were common among the Canaanites and other surrounding peoples. God's people are commanded to be holy and distinct, not to imitate the detestable rituals that led to the downfall of those nations.
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, they are warned against adopting the sinful practices of the nations already living there. This passage specifically addresses forbidden methods of seeking supernatural guidance, which were common among the Canaanites and other surrounding peoples. God's people are commanded to be holy and distinct, not to imitate the detestable rituals that led to the downfall of those nations.
"“When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations." — This verse doesn't just warn against foreign practices; it highlights the proactive nature of "learning." Israel isn't just told not to do these things, but specifically not to learn them, emphas…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
