Deuteronomy 18:9 kjv
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.
Deuteronomy 18:9 nkjv
"When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.
Deuteronomy 18:9 niv
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.
Deuteronomy 18:9 esv
"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.
Deuteronomy 18:9 nlt
"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.
Deuteronomy 18 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 12:29-31 | When the LORD your God cuts off... you shall not inquire... how did these nations serve their gods? | Warning against adopting pagan worship methods. |
| Deut 18:10-12 | There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering... or a charmer... For everyone who does these things is an abomination to the LORD. | Expands on specific "abominable practices" immediately following Deut 18:9. |
| Lev 18:24-30 | Do not defile yourselves by any of these things, for by all these the nations whom I am driving out before you have become defiled. | God explains why nations are being dispossessed; their practices defile. |
| Lev 20:23 | You shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you... | Command to remain distinct from Canaanite customs. |
| Exod 23:23-24 | For My angel will go before you... you shall not worship their gods, nor serve them... but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars. | God's command to destroy idols and avoid their worship. |
| Exod 34:15-16 | Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice... | Warning against alliances and spiritual prostitution. |
| Num 33:55-56 | But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land... then it shall be that those of them whom you let remain shall be as pricks... | Consequences of not completely expelling wicked influences. |
| Deut 7:1-6 | You shall not make covenants... or show mercy to them. Nor shall you make marriages with them... | Specific instructions to maintain separation and avoid intermarriage. |
| Deut 9:4 | Do not think in your heart... 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in...' It is because of the wickedness of these nations. | Reminds Israel their entry is due to the nations' sin, not their own merit. |
| Josh 23:7-8 | And that you come not among these nations... do not make mention of the names of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them... | Joshua's farewell address reiterating separation from paganism. |
| Judg 2:1-3 | And I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be snares... and their gods shall be a trap. | God's judgment for Israel failing to drive out nations, leading to idolatry. |
| 1 Kings 14:24 | There were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations... | Israel adopted Canaanite practices, including specific abominations. |
| 2 Kings 16:3 | But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed, he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out. | King Ahaz adopted child sacrifice, a prime abomination. |
| 2 Kings 21:2 | And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had dispossessed before the sons of Israel. | King Manasseh’s evil reign followed forbidden practices. |
| Jer 10:2 | Thus says the LORD: "Do not learn the way of the nations; Do not be dismayed by the signs of heaven..." | Direct prophetic warning echoing "do not learn the way of the nations." |
| Ezek 20:30 | Will you defile yourselves in the way of your fathers and chase after their detestable things? | Condemnation of Israel's persistent idolatry and abominable practices. |
| Mal 3:5 | Then I will draw near to you for judgment... I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers... | God's condemnation of practitioners of forbidden arts. |
| Rom 12:2 | And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind... | NT call to distinctness, not to adopt worldly patterns. |
| 2 Cor 6:17 | Therefore, "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean..." | NT emphasis on separation and purity from unholy influences. |
| Eph 5:11 | Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. | NT command to avoid involvement in evil works. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." | NT exhortation for believers to live holy lives, distinct from the world. |
Deuteronomy 18 verses
Deuteronomy 18 9 Meaning
When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, which was a gift from the LORD, they were strictly commanded not to adopt or imitate the detestable and morally corrupt practices of the pagan nations already residing there. This prohibition aimed to maintain their covenantal distinctiveness and spiritual purity before God, emphasizing a complete separation from all forms of idolatry and practices considered abhorrent to divine holiness.
Deuteronomy 18 9 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 18 functions as a bridge, contrasting legitimate spiritual leadership in Israel (Levitical priests and prophets, culminating in the promise of a coming Prophet like Moses) with the forbidden spiritual practices of the surrounding pagan nations. Following detailed instructions for the maintenance and provision of the Levites (18:1-8), verse 9 issues a foundational warning. Israel is poised to enter Canaan, a land saturated with idolatry and practices detestable to the LORD. This verse establishes a core boundary, stating that simply entering the land does not permit them to integrate or even learn the abhorrent customs of its current inhabitants. It sets the stage for the specific prohibitions against divination, sorcery, and child sacrifice that immediately follow in 18:10-12, presenting a stark choice between faithful adherence to the LORD and defilement through pagan imitation.
Deuteronomy 18 9 Word analysis
- "When you come into": (בְּבֹאֲךָ bəvo'akhah, literally "in your coming"). This phrase sets the command in the immediate future, tied to Israel's entry and settlement in the Promised Land. It implies not just a momentary crossing, but an ongoing life within the new territory, demanding constant vigilance.
- "the land that": Refers specifically to the land of Canaan, known for its indigenous pagan inhabitants.
- "the LORD your God is giving you": Emphasizes divine sovereignty and grace. The land is not conquered by Israel's might but is a gift and inheritance from Yahweh. This reinforces Israel's obligation to adhere to His laws out of covenant faithfulness and gratitude.
- "you shall not learn": (לֹא־תִלְמַד lo'-tilmad). The prohibition lo' (not) is absolute. Tilmad (from lamad) means "to learn, to acquire knowledge or skill." This is significant; it's not merely "do not do" but "do not even learn." This warns against actively absorbing or training oneself in the ways of foreign worship and lifestyle, indicating that adoption of these practices stems from a process of observation and acceptance, not mere accidental exposure.
- "to follow": (לַעֲשׂוֹת la'asot, literally "to do/to make/to practice"). This highlights the practical outworking of the "learning." The learned behavior is intended to be put into practice.
- "the abominable practices": (תּוֹעֲבֹת to'avot). This is a strong, theological term in the Old Testament. It denotes practices, actions, or objects that are utterly repulsive, disgusting, and morally repugnant to God. Often associated with idolatry, sexual perversions, and specific Canaanite religious rites, especially child sacrifice (as listed in subsequent verses). These are not minor transgressions but acts that defile both the perpetrator and the land.
- "of those nations": Refers to the various pagan groups inhabiting Canaan (e.g., Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, according to Deut 7:1), whose practices necessitated their expulsion from the land due to their moral depravity and religious rebellion against the true God. This distinction sets Israel apart as a holy nation dedicated solely to Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 18 9 Bonus section
- The term to'avot is consistently used throughout the Torah for actions that trigger God's strong indignation and provoke judgment, emphasizing their severe spiritual danger. This strong language conveys absolute divine rejection.
- The directive to "not learn" highlights that faithfulness is an active and discerning process. It requires Israelites to filter and reject cultural influences rather than passively absorbing them, demanding moral fortitude and dedication to God's commands.
- This verse foreshadows the tragic history of Israel, where their failure to heed this warning led to widespread idolatry, prophetic condemnation, and ultimately, exile. It serves as a stark reminder of the long-term spiritual consequences of cultural compromise.
Deuteronomy 18 9 Commentary
Deuteronomy 18:9 is a foundational command in the ongoing discourse about Israel's distinct identity and sacred calling. The verse does not merely prohibit certain actions; it targets the insidious process of cultural assimilation and the learning of "abominable practices" (to'avot). By warning against learning these ways, the text emphasizes the danger of intellectual and spiritual curiosity about pagan customs, which inevitably leads to their adoption and defilement. These detestable practices—rooted in idolatry, superstition, and ritualistic perversion—are portrayed as direct affronts to God's holy character and His unique covenant with Israel. The command underscores that God's gift of the land came with an explicit responsibility to maintain spiritual purity and exclusivity in worship, serving as a permanent bulwark against syncretism. Historically, Israel often failed in this, illustrating the deep challenge of remaining consecrated amidst a pervasive unholy culture, resulting in severe consequences. For believers today, this principle transcends specific pagan rituals to address any worldly worldview, values, or behaviors that contradict God's Word and character, urging a conscious, active separation for the sake of spiritual integrity.