Deuteronomy 12:31

Authorized King James Version

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Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עָשׂוּ֙ Thou shalt not do H6213
עָשׂוּ֙ Thou shalt not do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵ֔ן H3651
כֵ֔ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 3 of 22
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְהוָ֜ה so unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֜ה so unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God H430
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 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
כִּי֩ H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּֽוֹעֲבַ֨ת for every abomination H8441
תּֽוֹעֲבַ֨ת for every abomination
Strong's: H8441
Word #: 8 of 22
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
יְהוָ֜ה so unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֜ה so unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׂנֵ֗א which he hateth H8130
שָׂנֵ֗א which he hateth
Strong's: H8130
Word #: 11 of 22
to hate (personally)
עָשׂוּ֙ Thou shalt not do H6213
עָשׂוּ֙ Thou shalt not do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 12 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God H430
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 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
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַ֤ם H1571
גַ֤ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶם֙ for even their sons H1121
בְּנֵיהֶם֙ for even their sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 17 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם and their daughters H1323
בְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם and their daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 19 of 22
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ they have burnt H8313
יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ they have burnt
Strong's: H8313
Word #: 20 of 22
to be (causatively, set) on fire
בָאֵ֖שׁ in the fire H784
בָאֵ֖שׁ in the fire
Strong's: H784
Word #: 21 of 22
fire (literally or figuratively)
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God H430
לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 22 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

Analysis & Commentary

The reason for prohibition: 'Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.' Canaanite worship included 'abominations' (to'evah, תּוֹעֵבָה, detestable things)—practices God 'hates' (שָׂנֵא, sane). Specifically mentioned: child sacrifice—burning sons and daughters as offerings. This horrific practice honored Molech/Moloch, attested archaeologically at Carthage (Phoenician colony) and biblical texts (Leviticus 18:21; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). God absolutely forbids syncretizing His worship with such practices. What pagans do 'unto their gods' must never be done 'unto the LORD.'

Historical Context

Archaeological evidence confirms child sacrifice in Canaanite/Phoenician religion. Tophet sites (ritual burial grounds for sacrificed children) have been excavated. Despite prohibition, some Israelites adopted this practice—Ahaz and Manasseh sacrificed their sons (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6). Jeremiah condemns the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna) where children were burned to Molech (Jeremiah 19:5). Josiah's reform desecrated these sites (2 Kings 23:10). This abomination exemplifies pagan religion's depravity, justifying God's command for complete destruction.

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