And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)

DEUTERONOMY 29:17KJV
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Deuteronomy 29:17 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 29:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 29:17 recalls objects of worship that the Israelites had seen among other peoples. Moses describes those objects in strongly disapproving terms and names the materials they were made from, ranging from wood and stone to silver and gold.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites about things they encountered during their journey. His words prepare the listeners for the warning in verse 18 against turning to serve other gods.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 29:17

  • “abominations” — שִׁקּוּצִים (shiqqutsim): The word refers to things regarded as detestable. Here it expresses strong disgust toward the objects associated with the other peoples’ worship.
  • “idols” — גִּלֻּלִים (gillulim): The word refers to images used as objects of worship. It is a scornful term, not simply a neutral name for a carved figure.

Why Deuteronomy 29:17 matters

  • The list joins ordinary and costly materials under the same description. “Wood and stone, silver and gold” makes clear that the value of the material does not change how Moses speaks of the objects.
  • The warning that follows concerns more than recognizing these objects. Verse 18 speaks of a person’s heart turning away to serve the gods of those peoples, connecting what the Israelites saw with a choice about worship.

Where else these words appear

“abominations” Hebrew H8251 · used in 26 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • 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?
  • Ezekiel 20:8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.

“idols” Hebrew H1544 · used in 45 verses

  • Leviticus 26:30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
  • Ezekiel 14:3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
  • Ezekiel 20:39 As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.