Deuteronomy 18 12

Deuteronomy 18:12 kjv

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Deuteronomy 18:12 nkjv

For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.

Deuteronomy 18:12 niv

Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.

Deuteronomy 18:12 esv

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.

Deuteronomy 18:12 nlt

Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you.

Deuteronomy 18 verses

Deuteronomy 18 12 Meaning

Deuteronomy 18:12 declares a severe condemnation from the LORD God upon all who engage in the occult and pagan practices enumerated in the preceding verses (18:10-11). These actions are unequivocally described as an "abomination" (Hebrew: tōʿēvâ) to Yahweh, implying they are detestable and morally repugnant to His holy character. The verse also presents God's righteous judgment as the direct consequence of such wickedness, asserting that the very reason He is dispossessing the nations inhabiting Canaan before Israel is precisely because they commit these abominations. It highlights God's justice in purifying the land and His demand for absolute loyalty and distinctness from His chosen people.

Deuteronomy 18 12 Context

Deuteronomy 18 is a pivotal chapter within Moses' farewell address to Israel on the plains of Moab, prior to their entry into the Promised Land. This particular section (18:9-14) explicitly warns Israel against adopting the idolatrous and occult practices of the Canaanite nations they are about to dispossess. Moses is setting forth the blueprint for Israel's unique identity as a nation whose God, YHWH, provides direct and clear communication, rendering all forms of illicit divination and spiritism unnecessary and abhorrent. Verse 12 serves as the culminating summary and theological justification for the stringent prohibitions detailed in the preceding two verses, reinforcing the sanctity and distinctness of Israel's relationship with God. Historically, the Canaanite religion was deeply interwoven with divination, sorcery, child sacrifice (mentioned in 18:10), and necromancy, believing they could manipulate divine forces or gain forbidden knowledge through these means. Deuteronomy 18:12 functions as a direct polemic against this worldview, asserting YHWH's absolute sovereignty and the abomination of seeking guidance from any source other than Him.

Deuteronomy 18 12 Word analysis

• For all who do these things: (Hebrew: kî kōl ʾăšer ʿōśeh ʾēlleh)

  • kî (כִּי): A versatile conjunction, here best translated "for" or "indeed," introducing the reason or justification for the preceding warnings.
  • kōl ʾăšer ʿōśeh ʾēlleh (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר עֹשֵׂה אֵלֶּה): Literally "all who do these [things]." This refers directly back to the enumerated forbidden practices in verses 10-11: child sacrifice, diviners, soothsayers, enchanters, sorcerers, charmers, mediums, necromancers, and those who inquire of the dead. The universality of "all who do" emphasizes that there is no exception; anyone engaged in these acts falls under the condemnation.

• are an abomination: (Hebrew: tôʿăvat)

  • tôʿăvat (תּוֹעֲבַת): A noun meaning "abomination," "detestable thing," or "loathsome thing." This term appears frequently in the Torah, especially in Deuteronomy and Leviticus, to describe acts that are repugnant to God's holy nature and thus disqualify one from His presence and blessing. It signifies a profound moral and religious offense, implying deep disapproval and outright hatred by God. These practices fundamentally contradict God's character and covenant demands for holiness and truth. The term goes beyond simple disapproval, conveying inherent evil in God's sight.

• to the LORD: (Hebrew: YHWH)

  • YHWH (יְהוָה): The sacred covenant name of God, often translated "the LORD." This emphasizes that the practices are offensive directly to the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It's not just a general religious impropriety, but an affront to the one true God who redeemed them and with whom they are in a unique relationship.

• and because of these abominations: (Hebrew: ūviḡlal hattôʿēvōt)

  • ūviḡlal (וּבִגְלַל): Literally "and on account of," "because of," or "for the sake of." It highlights a direct causal link between the Canaanites' abominable practices and their impending displacement. This phrase reiterates the justice of God's actions.
  • hattôʿēvōt (הַתֹּועֵבֹת): The plural form of tôʿēvâ, meaning "the abominations." The use of the plural emphasizes the collective weight and pervasive nature of these detestable acts within the Canaanite society.

• the LORD your God is driving them out: (Hebrew: YHWH ʾĕlōhêkā môrîšām)

  • YHWH ʾĕlōhêkā (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ): "The LORD your God." This specific phrasing, consistently used in Deuteronomy, personalizes the divine action for Israel, reminding them of God's covenant faithfulness to them.
  • môrîšām (מוֹרִישָׁם): From the verb yāraš (ירש), which typically means "to inherit" or "to possess." In the Hiphil stem, as used here, it means "to cause to possess" or, more relevantly in this context, "to dispossess," "to drive out," "to expel." This refers to God's active role in conquering the land for Israel by expelling its current wicked inhabitants. The verb conveys divine power and sovereign action in history.

• before you: (Hebrew: mippāneḵā)

  • mippāneḵā (מִפָּנֶיךָ): Literally "from your face" or "before you." This phrase indicates that the dispossessing act will be observable and directly beneficial to Israel, establishing their presence in the land without having to endure these corrupting influences. It underscores God's providential care for Israel's holiness and safety.

Deuteronomy 18 12 Bonus section

The Hebrew term tōʿēvâ (abomination) used in Dt 18:12 signifies more than just disapproval; it indicates a visceral abhorrence, an intense loathing by God for certain acts because they strike at the core of His being and character. This strong designation appears repeatedly in connection with sexual perversions, idolatry, unjust weights and measures, and here, various forms of occultic practices. The common thread among these "abominations" is that they all represent a profound moral and spiritual disorder that directly contradicts God's holiness, justice, or rightful worship. In the context of the occult, these are seen as attempts to access forbidden knowledge or power through means explicitly rejected by God, effectively engaging with demonic spiritual forces or asserting human autonomy in defiance of divine sovereignty. Such actions are not only offensive but inherently polluting to the individual, community, and land, necessitating divine intervention and purging.

Deuteronomy 18 12 Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:12 encapsulates a fundamental truth about God's character and His interaction with humanity: God is holy, and sin, especially that which seeks to bypass His authority or pervert His created order, is deeply offensive to Him. The list of "abominations"—child sacrifice, divination, sorcery, necromancy—are not mere cultural quirks but direct assaults on the sanctity of human life, the integrity of truth, and the sole sovereignty of God. These practices sought power and knowledge from dark spiritual sources, a stark contrast to Israel's direct relationship with YHWH, who provides all guidance and revelation through legitimate prophets (Dt 18:15ff).

The verse clarifies that the expulsion of the Canaanite nations was not arbitrary, nor was it based on Israel's inherent righteousness. Instead, it was a just and divine judgment, a cosmic purging, specifically because of their unrepentant immersion in these detestable practices that defiled the land itself. God, being both holy and just, cannot tolerate such pervasive evil. This establishes a universal principle: flagrant sin, particularly that which defies divine order and seeks illicit spiritual power, will inevitably lead to consequences, whether expulsion, judgment, or ultimate condemnation. For Israel, this served as a stark warning: embrace these practices, and you will suffer the same fate. The command to be "blameless" (v. 13) stands in direct opposition to those who commit these abominations, emphasizing a call to unwavering allegiance to YHWH alone and adherence to His holy ways, distinct from the corrupted nations. This passage remains relevant, cautioning against any involvement with the occult, fortune-telling, or seeking guidance outside of God's revealed will and truth.