Deuteronomy 7:25
The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about destroying idols; it's a sharp warning against being tempted by the value of what belongs to them. God commands the Israelites to burn the images, but specifically forbids coveting the gold or silver adorning them, because even the precious metals themselves become a snare, a gateway to idolatry.
God is instructing the Israelites on how to deal with the conquered nations' religious objects. He commands them to utterly destroy all idols, even forbidding them to take any precious metal from them, as this could lead them into the same idolatrous practices and spiritual corruption. This prohibition is a crucial part of preventing the Israelites from falling into sin as they settle into the Promised Land.
God's command isn't just about destroying idols, but also about what we do with their valuable parts. Why such a strict rule?
God instructs the Israelites to completely destroy the carved images of the Canaanite gods by fire. But he adds a crucial warning: 'You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves.'
Why the Fuss Over Metal?
The verse calls the idols and the temptation they represent an 'abomination.' What does that word truly convey about God's perspective?
The reason for such a severe command is that idolatry is fundamentally an 'abomination' to the LORD. This isn't just a strong word for 'dislike'; it signifies something deeply repulsive, detestable, and utterly against God's nature and will.
An Affront to God's Glory
Understand the original words
pesel · Hebrew Noun
Representations of deities made by human hands, consistently condemned in Scripture as false idols that detract from the worship of the one true God.
chamad · Hebrew Verb
An intense, selfish, and sinful desire for something belonging to another, which the Bible identifies as a root cause of idolatry and disobedience.
yaqosh · Hebrew Verb
To be caught, trapped, or entangled in a snare or net, often used metaphorically for being led into sin, spiritual bondage, or destruction.
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Something that is morally detestable, loathsome, or offensive, particularly in the sight of God because it violates His holiness or His covenant.
This passage shows the direct consequence of ignoring this command, as Achan admits to coveting and taking silver and gold from Jericho, leading to disaster for Israel.
Romans 2:22The Apostle Paul directly alludes to this prohibition, questioning those who would forbid adultery yet steal, implying that desiring or taking the 'spoils' of idolatry is a form of spiritual theft and sin.
1 Corinthians 10:14This verse serves as a broad application of the principle, urging believers to 'flee from idolatry' in all its forms, which directly connects to the need to destroy idols and avoid their tempting allurements.
Exodus 23:24This earlier command in Exodus directly relates to destroying idols and not taking their spoils, highlighting the consistent nature of God's commands regarding the eradication of idolatry and its trappings.
Colossians 3:5Paul's instruction to 'put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry' echoes the warning here that coveting the valuable parts of idols is a form of idolatry itself.
clarkeDeuteronomy 7:25: "The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God."
Thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them - Some of the ancient idols were plated over with gold, and God saw that the value of the metal and the excellence of the workmanship might be an inducement for the Israelites to preserve them; and this might…
calvinDeuteronomy 7:16-26: "And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee."
The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out; so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid.
Probationum magnarum quas videru…
This verse isn't just about destroying idols; it's a sharp warning against being tempted by the value of what belongs to them. God commands the Israelites to burn the images, but specifically forbids coveting the gold or silver adorning them, because even the precious metals themselves become a snare, a gateway to idolatry.
God is instructing the Israelites on how to deal with the conquered nations' religious objects. He commands them to utterly destroy all idols, even forbidding them to take any precious metal from them, as this could lead them into the same idolatrous practices and spiritual corruption. This prohibition is a crucial part of preventing the Israelites from falling into sin as they settle into the Promised Land.
God is instructing the Israelites on how to deal with the conquered nations' religious objects. He commands them to utterly destroy all idols, even forbidding them to take any precious metal from them, as this could lead them into the same idolatrous practices and spiritual corruption. This prohibition is a crucial part of preventing the Israelites from falling into sin as they settle into the Promised Land.
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"The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God." — This verse isn't just about destroying idols; it's a sharp warning against being tempted by the value of what belongs to them. God commands the Israelites to burn the images, but specifically forbi…
