And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.

DEUTERONOMY 12:3KJV
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Deuteronomy 12:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 12:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 12:3 commands the Israelites to completely destroy all objects and places used for worship by the peoples living in Canaan, including altars, stone pillars, wooden groves, carved images, and even the names associated with their gods. The verse emphasizes removing every trace of these religious sites from the land.

In this verse, Moses is instructing the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The goal is to prevent the Israelites from being influenced by the religious practices of the Canaanites. The instructions are detailed and forceful, showing that God wants the Israelites to make a clear break from the local idol worship and to establish worship centered only on Him.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 12:3

  • "Altars" (מִזְבְּחוֹת, mizbechot): This word refers to structures used for sacrifices. The command to "overthrow" (נָתַץ, nathatz) these shows a total rejection of Canaanite worship practices.
  • "Pillars" (מַצֵּבָה, matzevah): These were upright stones often used in pagan rituals. The verb "break" (שָׁבַר, shavar) stresses not just removing but shattering them, leaving no chance for reuse.
  • "Groves" (אֲשֵׁרָה, asherah): This refers to wooden poles or trees linked to the goddess Asherah. "Burn with fire" (שָׂרַף, saraph) makes clear that even natural objects used for idol worship must be destroyed, not just set aside.
  • "Names" (שֵׁם, shem): The command to "destroy the names" (אָבַד, avad) means erasing even the memory or reputation of these gods from the land, not just their physical images.

Why Deuteronomy 12:3 matters

  • Deuteronomy 12:3 clarifies that God’s instructions were not only about avoiding idol worship but about removing every possible temptation or reminder of it, including names and reputations.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness with which Israel was to treat the worship of other gods, setting a tone for the rest of the chapter, which focuses on worshiping God in the way He chooses.
  • Understanding the specific objects mentioned—altars, pillars, groves, images—helps modern readers see how deeply idol worship was woven into Canaanite culture and why such thorough removal was commanded.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H1438 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • Psalms 75:10 All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.
  • Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
  • Isaiah 42:8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

“pillars” Hebrew H4676 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 23:14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

“groves” Hebrew H842 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 13:6 Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
  • 2 Chronicles 17:6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.