“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 or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. And because of these abominations the LORD your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse warns against "learning to do after the abominations," highlighting that these practices are not innate but acquired. This suggests a deliberate choice to engage with corrupting behaviors, rather than an unavoidable fall, emphasizing personal responsibility in adhering to God's ways.
What Deuteronomy 18:9-14 means
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, God warns them not to adopt the corrupt religious practices of the nations already living there. These forbidden practices include various forms of divination, sorcery, and child sacrifice, which are considered detestable and have led to the downfall of these peoples. Instead of seeking guidance from these pagan customs, Israel is commanded to be completely devoted to the LORD and to listen to the prophets He will raise up.
Guard Against Cultural Contagion
Ever felt the pull to 'go with the flow' even when it feels wrong? Israel was about to enter a new land, and God knew the temptation to adopt local customs would be strong.
The Danger of Assimilation
God's command in Deuteronomy 18:9 is a stark warning: "you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations." This wasn't just about avoiding specific forbidden acts; it was about protecting the Israelites' unique identity and their relationship with God.
Cultural Influence is Real: As they moved into Canaan, the Israelites would be surrounded by people with vastly different beliefs and practices, especially concerning their worship of gods. Experience shows that it's natural to pick up the customs of a new environment, and God wanted to prevent His people from being corrupted.
Abominations: The term 'abominations' refers to practices deeply detestable to God, particularly those related to idolatry and illicit communication with the spirit world. These were not minor cultural differences but fundamental violations of covenant faithfulness.
Preserving Purity: God's intention was for Israel to be a distinct people, set apart for Him. Adopting the practices of the Canaanites would have diluted their faith and compromised their covenant relationship with the Lord.
Discern God's Way, Not Theirs
The people around Israel tried to 'know' things in ways God never sanctioned. Why was seeking forbidden knowledge so offensive to God?
The Trap of Illicit Knowledge
The specific 'abominations' mentioned in the surrounding verses (Deuteronomy 18:10-14) often involved seeking knowledge or guidance through forbidden means.
Forbidden Practices: This included things like child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, consulting mediums, and astrology. These were not neutral activities but direct attempts to bypass God's established channels of communication and gain secret knowledge.
Understand the original words
Original language
abominable practicesתּוֹעֵבָה
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.
divinationקֶסֶם
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.
sorcererכָּשַׁף
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.
charmerחבר
chabar · Hebrew Noun
Historical context
Written
Around 13th-14th century BC, during the Israelite wanderings.
Author
Traditionally attributed to Moses, though scholarly consensus suggests it was compiled later by various authors.
Location
Likely written from the plains of Moab, overlooking the Promised Land.
Genre
Law/Instructional; notable for its repetitive structure and direct address to the people.
Deuteronomy 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.
ellicott
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Deuteronomy 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…
calvin
Frequently asked questions
What does Deuteronomy 18:9-14 mean?
The verse warns against "learning to do after the abominations," highlighting that these practices are not innate but acquired. This suggests a deliberate choice to engage with corrupting behaviors, rather than an unavoidable fall, emphasizing personal responsibility in adhering to God's ways.
Explain the meaning of Deuteronomy 18:9-14
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, God warns them not to adopt the corrupt religious practices of the nations already living there. These forbidden practices include various forms of divination, sorcery, and child sacrifice, which are considered detestable and have led to the downfall of these peoples. Instead of seeking guidance from these pagan customs, Israel is commanded to be completely devoted to the LORD and to listen to the prophets He will raise up.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 18:9-14?
As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, God warns them not to adopt the corrupt religious practices of the nations already living there. These forbidden practices include various forms of divination, sorcery, and child sacrifice, which are considered detestable and have led to the downfall of these peoples. Instead of seeking guidance from these pagan customs, Israel is commanded to be completely devoted to the LORD and to listen to the prophets He will raise up.
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Human Curiosity Corrupted: While humans naturally desire knowledge, the nations corrupted this desire by seeking it through illicit means, often influenced by or directly involving demonic powers. They sought to know what God had chosen to conceal.
God's Provision: Instead of relying on these deceptive practices, God promised to provide for His people through prophets whom He would raise up. This emphasized trust in God's appointed messengers and His timing, rather than resorting to forbidden spiritual manipulation.
The 'Abomination' Factor: These practices were called 'abominations' because they were not just wrong actions, but they represented a fundamental rejection of God's sovereignty and His desire to have an intimate, trusting relationship with His people through the means He ordained.
A person who practices magic, spells, or incantations to influence events or people; biblically forbidden as it seeks power outside of God’s authority.
mediumידעני
yidde'oniy · Hebrew Noun
One who acts as a channel or intermediary for spirits; biblically prohibited because it involves seeking forbidden supernatural knowledge rather than relying on God.
necromancerדרש אל-המתים
doresh el-hametim · Hebrew Noun Phrase
A person who claims to communicate with the spirits of the dead, usually to obtain hidden knowledge or guidance; strictly forbidden in Scripture as a form of rebellion against God.
abominationתועבה
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
That which is morally detestable, repugnant, or offensive in the sight of God, especially pertaining to practices that violate His holiness and exclusive claim on His people.
the LORDיהוה
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the Creator and Redeemer God, revealed to Israel; it signifies His eternal existence, faithfulness to His promises, and absolute sovereignty.
blamelessתמים
tamim · Hebrew Adjective
To be whole, complete, or sincere in one’s walk with God; it implies total devotion, integrity of heart, and walking in obedience to His commands without divided loyalty.
fortune-tellersמעוננים
me'onanim · Hebrew Noun
Individuals or groups who practice divination to predict the future or uncover hidden knowledge; forbidden by God because they compete with His revealed Word and sovereignty.
divinersקסמים
qosemim · Hebrew Noun
Those who practice divination, using various methods to discern the secret will of gods or spirits; biblically viewed as a form of idolatrous reliance on created things rather than the Creator.
Breakdown of Deuteronomy 18:9-14
"“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 "learning to do after the abominations," highlighting that these practices are not innate but acquired. This suggests a deliberate choice to engage with corrupting behaviors,…
