Deuteronomy 18:9-10
“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. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse warns against "abominable practices," but the Hebrew word used doesn't just mean disgusting things; it implies something that makes one detestable or impure in God's eyes. This isn't just about avoiding bad habits, but about actively rejecting anything that corrupts one's relationship with the LORD, keeping Israel distinct and holy for Him.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God issues a stern warning. He forbids them from adopting the detestable practices of the Canaanite nations already living there, particularly those involving occult rituals and forbidden communication with the spirit world. This prohibition immediately precedes God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses for Israel, establishing a legitimate channel for divine communication that stands in stark contrast to the forbidden practices.
Why does God call these practices 'abominations'? What does that word really mean for us today?
The word 'abomination' in this context isn't just about something yucky or gross. It points to practices that are fundamentally offensive to God's holiness and His covenant with His people. These were not just minor cultural differences; they were deeply ingrained rituals and beliefs that violated God's moral order and His people's unique identity.
Think of it like this: God set Israel apart to be holy, a reflection of His own character. The practices of the surrounding nations—like child sacrifice, sorcery, and idolatry—were the exact opposite of this. They were expressions of impurity, cruelty, and allegiance to false gods. By calling them 'abominations,' God emphasizes that these practices defile the land and the people, making them unacceptable to Him.
This isn't just an ancient command. It calls us to examine our own lives: Are there practices or mindsets we've adopted from the 'nations' around us—from popular culture, worldly philosophies, or even our own desires—that go against God's pure and holy character? God calls us to a life of distinctiveness, not assimilation, when it comes to His commands.
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Israel was warned not to 'learn' these practices. What does that word imply about spiritual growth and temptation?
The command here is not just to avoid the bad habits of the Canaanites, but to not learn them. This is a crucial distinction. The Hebrew word implies more than just imitation; it suggests a process of adoption, of internalizing and becoming accustomed to these ways.
God knew that when Israel entered the Promised Land, they would be surrounded by people whose practices were deeply ingrained. The temptation would be to blend in, to adopt their customs to fit in or out of curiosity. Moses warns them against this gradual process of assimilation. It's like a slow poison – what might seem neutral at first can lead to deep spiritual corruption.
This is a powerful lesson for us today. We are constantly exposed to different worldviews and lifestyles. The danger isn't just in actively choosing evil, but in passively learning and accepting things that contradict God's truth. True spiritual life involves intentional discernment and a commitment to learning God's ways, not the ways of the world. We must be diligent students of God's Word, not of the surrounding culture's debased practices.
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.
qesem · Hebrew Noun
The act of attempting to obtain secret knowledge or divine guidance through supernatural or occult means, forbidden by God because it seeks knowledge apart from His revealed word and providence.
kashaph · Hebrew Verb/Noun
One who engages in occult arts, spells, or witchcraft to influence events or gain forbidden power, acting in direct rebellion against God's sovereign control.
This passage directly prohibits the Israelites from giving their children to Molech, a practice described as an 'abomination' and explicitly linked to the forbidden practices of the nations in Canaan.
1 Samuel 15:23This verse links rebellion against God's word with witchcraft and stubbornness, highlighting that refusing to listen to God's commands and pursuing forbidden practices is akin to idolatry.
Romans 12:2This New Testament passage echoes the command in Deuteronomy by urging believers not to conform to the patterns of the world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, a principle that directly applies to avoiding the 'abominations' of surrounding cultures.
1 John 5:19This verse states that 'we know that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one,' reminding us that the world's practices are often contrary to God's will and should be avoided.
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…
The verse warns against "abominable practices," but the Hebrew word used doesn't just mean disgusting things; it implies something that makes one detestable or impure in God's eyes. This isn't just about avoiding bad habits, but about actively rejecting anything that corrupts one's relationship with the LORD, keeping Israel distinct and holy for Him.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God issues a stern warning. He forbids them from adopting the detestable practices of the Canaanite nations already living there, particularly those involving occult rituals and forbidden communication with the spirit world. This prohibition immediately precedes God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses for Israel, establishing a legitimate channel for divine communication that stands in stark contrast to the forbidden practices.
As the Israelites are poised to enter the Promised Land, God issues a stern warning. He forbids them from adopting the detestable practices of the Canaanite nations already living there, particularly those involving occult rituals and forbidden communication with the spirit world. This prohibition immediately precedes God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses for Israel, establishing a legitimate channel for divine communication that stands in stark contrast to the forbidden practices.
"“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. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone…" — The verse warns against "abominable practices," but the Hebrew word used doesn't just mean disgusting things; it implies something that makes one detestable or impure in God's eyes. This isn't just a…
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