Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

DEUTERONOMY 12:2KJV
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Deuteronomy 12:2 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 12:2 mean?

Deuteronomy 12:2 commands the Israelites to completely destroy all the places where the nations they are about to displace worshipped their gods, whether these places are on high mountains, hills, or under every green tree. The verse is about removing all traces of foreign religious practices from the land the Israelites are entering.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The instruction is specific: they are not just to avoid these worship sites but to utterly remove them, no matter where they are located. The mention of high mountains, hills, and green trees points to common locations for pagan worship in that region and time, emphasizing the thoroughness expected in this command.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 12:2

  • The word "utterly destroy" comes from שָׁמַד (shamad), which is tagged here as both "utterly" (H6) and "destroy" (H6). This word means to completely wipe out or annihilate, showing the totality of the action required.
  • "Places" is מָקוֹם (maqom, H4725), meaning a physical location or site. Here, it refers to the actual spots used for worship, not just objects or idols.
  • "Nations" is גּוֹי (goy, H1471), which means peoples or ethnic groups, pointing to the Canaanite peoples living in the land before Israel.
  • "Served" is עָבַד (avad, H5647), meaning to worship or serve, underlining that these locations were active centers of religious practice, not just abandoned sites.
  • "Gods" is אֱלֹהִים (elohim, H430), the general word for gods, showing these are not just any places, but specifically those dedicated to other deities.

Why Deuteronomy 12:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the command is not only against idols themselves but also against the physical spaces associated with idol worship, highlighting the importance of removing all influences of foreign religion.
  • The specific mention of high places and green trees helps explain later references in the Bible to "high places" as ongoing problems for Israel, showing this was a deeply rooted cultural practice.
  • Understanding the thoroughness of the command helps explain the strong emphasis in Deuteronomy on exclusive worship of the God of Israel and the rejection of syncretism with local religious customs.

Where else these words appear

“green” Hebrew H7488 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Kings 14:23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
  • Psalms 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“hills” Hebrew H1389 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Psalms 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“which” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 11:8 Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;