That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.

DEUTERONOMY 20:18KJV
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Deuteronomy 20:18 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 20:18 mean?

Deuteronomy 20:18 warns the Israelites not to learn or imitate the practices of the nations they encounter, especially their "abominations," which are offensive acts done in worship of other gods. Doing so would cause the Israelites to sin against the LORD their God.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The situation is about how to deal with other nations and avoid being influenced by their religious customs. The verse emphasizes that following the religious practices of these nations is not just wrong in itself, but is seen as a direct offense against the God of Israel.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 20:18

  • "abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah): This word refers to things that are especially detestable or disgusting, often used in the Hebrew Bible for practices that are morally or ritually offensive, particularly in the context of idol worship.
  • "sin" (חָטָא, chata): This word means to miss the mark or to do wrong, especially in a way that breaks the relationship with God. Here, it highlights that copying these practices is not just a mistake but a serious wrongdoing against God.
  • "gods" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim): This is the common Hebrew word for gods or deities. In this context, it refers to the false gods worshipped by the other nations, contrasting with the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH), the God of Israel.

Why Deuteronomy 20:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the danger for Israel was not just military or political, but spiritual—adopting foreign religious practices was the main concern.
  • It shows the strong boundary the text draws between Israel’s worship of the LORD and the worship of other gods, underlining that mixing the two is seen as a serious violation.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by explaining why certain nations were to be driven out or destroyed: to prevent Israel from being led into the same corrupt practices.

Where else these words appear

“teach” Hebrew H3925 · used in 80 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.
  • Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
  • Proverbs 30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
  • Ezekiel 7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.