King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 20:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 20:18 in the King James Version says “That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin again... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 20:18 · KJV


Context

16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

18

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.

19

When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man's life ) to employ them in the siege : for the: or, for, O man, the tree of the field is to be employed in the siege to employ: Heb. to go from before thee

20

Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued. it: Heb. it come down


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—The reason for herem: preventing idolatrous abominations (תּוֹעֵבוֹת, to'evot, 'detestable practices') from infecting Israel. Canaanite worship included child sacrifice (they burnt their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods, Deuteronomy 12:31), cultic prostitution, and divination. Exposure meant adoption: they teach you (לְמַדְתֶּם, lemadtem, instructing, training).

The warning proved prophetic. Israel learned Canaanite practices: They sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, and shed innocent blood (Psalm 106:37-38). God's preventative judgment (destroy them first) became necessary corrective judgment (exile, 586 BC). The principle stands: Evil company corrupts good habits (1 Corinthians 15:33, NKJV). Tolerating sin's presence guarantees sin's dominance. Paul commands: Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological discoveries at Canaanite sites (Gezer, Megiddo, Hazor) revealed infant remains in foundation walls (sacrifice), cultic prostitution facilities, and brutality confirming biblical descriptions. These weren't innocent cultures but systems of organized evil requiring divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'abominations' (cultural practices, entertainment, philosophies) are you tolerating that could 'teach' (gradually train) you away from God?
  2. How did Israel's failure to execute herem result in adopting the very practices God sought to prevent?
  3. What 'appearances of evil' must you avoid—not because they're inherently sinful but because exposure leads to adoption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לְמַ֗עַן1 of 14
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 14
H834

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

לֹֽא3 of 14
H3808

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

יְלַמְּד֤וּ4 of 14

That they teach

H3925

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

אֶתְכֶם֙5 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עָשׂ֖וּ6 of 14

which they have done

H6213

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

כְּכֹל֙7 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תּֽוֹעֲבֹתָ֔ם8 of 14

after all their abominations

H8441

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 14
H834

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

עָשׂ֖וּ10 of 14

which they have done

H6213

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃11 of 14

unto their gods

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

וַֽחֲטָאתֶ֖ם12 of 14

so should ye sin

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לַֽיהוָ֥ה13 of 14

against the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶֽם׃14 of 14

unto their gods

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


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 20:18 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 20:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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