Deuteronomy 12:30
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Original Language Analysis
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Take heed
H8104
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר
Take heed
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּנָּקֵשׁ֙
to thyself that thou be not snared
H5367
תִּנָּקֵשׁ֙
to thyself that thou be not snared
Strong's:
H5367
Word #:
4 of 22
to entrap (with a noose), literally or figuratively
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
by following
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
by following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
by following
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֖י
by following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ
from before
H6440
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּפֶן
H6435
וּפֶן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּדְרֹ֨שׁ
thee and that thou enquire
H1875
תִּדְרֹ֨שׁ
thee and that thou enquire
Strong's:
H1875
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
not after their gods
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
not after their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 22
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
יַֽעַבְד֜וּ
serve
H5647
יַֽעַבְד֜וּ
serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
14 of 22
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
הַגּוֹיִ֤ם
How did these nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֤ם
How did these nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
15 of 22
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
not after their gods
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם
not after their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 22
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
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה
even so will I do
H6213
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה
even so will I do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Cross References
Jeremiah 10:2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.Ezekiel 20:32And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.Ephesians 4:17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,Deuteronomy 7:16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.Ezekiel 20:28For when I had brought them into the land, for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering: there also they made their sweet savour, and poured out there their drink offerings.
Historical Context
This warning proved prescient. Solomon's foreign wives 'turned away his heart after other gods' (1 Kings 11:4). Ahab married Jezebel and established Baal worship (1 Kings 16:31-33). Manasseh practiced Canaanite abominations including child sacrifice (2 Kings 21:1-9). Israel's curiosity about Canaanite fertility religion led to adopting its practices. The command protects against tolerant curiosity becoming corrupting acceptance. Paul later warns: 'evil communications corrupt good manners' (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Questions for Reflection
- How does curiosity about false religions or ideologies create vulnerability to their influence?
- What is the difference between understanding false beliefs to refute them versus entertaining them sympathetically?
- How do Christians balance cultural awareness with guarding against spiritual compromise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The specific warning: 'Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.' The Hebrew hishamer (הִשָּׁמֶר, 'guard yourself') demands vigilance. The danger: being 'snared' (naqash, נָקַשׁ, trapped/ensnared) by studying enemy religion. Even curiosity about pagan worship risks contamination. The phrase 'even so will I do likewise' expresses the slippery slope: investigation → interest → imitation. Religious syncretism begins with innocent inquiry but ends in apostasy. God prohibits even studying false worship to prevent seduction.