Deuteronomy 12:2
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:
Original Language Analysis
תְּ֠אַבְּדוּן
Ye shall utterly
H6
תְּ֠אַבְּדוּן
Ye shall utterly
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
תְּ֠אַבְּדוּן
Ye shall utterly
H6
תְּ֠אַבְּדוּן
Ye shall utterly
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּקֹמ֞וֹת
all the places
H4725
הַמְּקֹמ֞וֹת
all the places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
which
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
which
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָֽבְדוּ
served
H5647
עָֽבְדוּ
served
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
7 of 24
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם
wherein the nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם
wherein the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 24
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
which
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
which
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֹֽרְשִׁ֥ים
ye shall possess
H3423
יֹֽרְשִׁ֥ים
ye shall possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
12 of 24
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their gods
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 24
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֶֽהָרִ֤ים
mountains
H2022
הֶֽהָרִ֤ים
mountains
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
17 of 24
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
הָֽרָמִים֙
upon the high
H7311
הָֽרָמִים֙
upon the high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
18 of 24
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְתַ֖חַת
H8478
וְתַ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
21 of 24
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:5But 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 Kings 16:4And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.Jeremiah 3:6The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.Hosea 4:13They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
Historical Context
Canaanite religion centered on fertility cults worshiping Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and other deities. High places featured altars, standing stones (massebot), and sacred poles (asherim). Worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice (to Molech), and divination. God's command for total destruction reflected both spiritual danger (idolatry temptation) and moral abomination (horrific practices). Israel's incomplete obedience to this command led to centuries of syncretism condemned by prophets.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'high places' (cultural practices, entertainment, ideologies) might tempt believers toward spiritual compromise?
- Why does God demand complete separation from false worship rather than merely avoiding direct participation?
- How can we practice spiritual separation without unhealthy isolationism or self-righteousness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command: 'Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods.' The Hebrew abad te'abedun (אַבֵּד תְּאַבְּדוּן, intensive absolute + verb) means 'utterly, completely destroy.' No syncretism was allowed—Canaanite worship sites must be eliminated. The locations specified: 'upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree.' These were typical locations for ancient Near Eastern 'high places' (bamot, בָּמוֹת)—elevated sites under sacred trees or groves. The command aims to prevent Israel from adopting Canaanite worship practices associated with these sites.