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.