King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 18:9 Mean?

Deuteronomy 18:9 in the King James Version says “When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations o... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:9 · KJV


Context

7

Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.

8

They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony. that: Heb. his sale by the fathers

9

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

10

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11

Or a charmer , or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations (כִּי אַתָּה בָּא אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ לֹא־תִלְמַד לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּתוֹעֲבֹת הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם)—the verb talmad (learn, teach yourself) implies deliberate adoption, not accidental exposure. Israel would encounter Canaanite practices; God forbids studying them for imitation.

Abominations (to'evot) denotes what is detestable, ritually abhorrent, morally repulsive—particularly idolatrous practices. The phrase of those nations (hagoyim hahem) refers specifically to Canaan's seven nations (Deuteronomy 7:1): Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites. Their religious practices included child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, divination, and necromancy.

This transitions Deuteronomy 18 from priestly provisions (vv. 1-8) to prophetic revelation (vv. 9-22). The contrast is stark: Israel must support God's authorized ministers (priests, Levites) and reject false spiritual intermediaries (diviners, mediums, necromancers). The occult practices listed in verses 10-11 represent satanic counterfeits to legitimate prophetic revelation, which God will provide through true prophets (vv. 15-19).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Canaanite religion (circa 1400 BC) included worship of Baal, Asherah, Molech, and other deities through practices Israel found in the land. Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (modern Syria) reveal liturgical texts describing fertility rites, sacred prostitution, and child sacrifice. These 'abominations' caused God to expel Canaan's inhabitants (Leviticus 18:24-28). Tragically, Israel later adopted these very practices, provoking the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 16:3, 21:6, Jeremiah 32:35).

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'abominations of the nations'—cultural practices contrary to God's word—are believers tempted to 'learn' and adopt?
  2. How can Christians live in a pagan culture without being shaped by its spiritual assumptions and practices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כִּ֤י1 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּה֙2 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּ֣א3 of 16

When thou art come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֔רֶץ5 of 16

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר6 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֥ה7 of 16

which the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ8 of 16

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֣ן9 of 16

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֑ךְ10 of 16
H0
לֹֽא11 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִלְמַ֣ד12 of 16

thee thou shalt not learn

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

לַֽעֲשׂ֔וֹת13 of 16

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כְּתֽוֹעֲבֹ֖ת14 of 16

after the abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

הַגּוֹיִ֥ם15 of 16

of those nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

הָהֵֽם׃16 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 18:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 18:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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