Deuteronomy 16:21
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִטַּ֥ע
Thou shalt not plant
H5193
תִטַּ֥ע
Thou shalt not plant
Strong's:
H5193
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה
thee a grove
H842
אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה
thee a grove
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
4 of 13
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֵ֑ץ
of any trees
H6086
עֵ֑ץ
of any trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
6 of 13
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 13
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
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
2 Chronicles 33:3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.2 Kings 17:16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.Exodus 34:13But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:2 Kings 21:3For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.1 Kings 16:33And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.1 Kings 14:15For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water, and he shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger.Judges 3:7And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
Historical Context
Canaanite high places featured groves (sacred trees) where fertility rituals and cultic prostitution occurred. By forbidding trees near YHWH's altar, God distinguished His worship from sexualized pagan practices. Reformer kings like Hezekiah and Josiah cut down Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4, 23:6, 14).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'Asherah poles' (worldly values, cultural idols, secular philosophies) are you tempted to 'plant near' your worship of God?
- How does syncretism (mixing Christian faith with other worldviews) create spiritually toxic 'hybrid religion'?
- What specific compromises must you 'cut down' to maintain worship purity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee—The asherah (אֲשֵׁרָה, sacred pole or tree) was a Canaanite goddess symbol, often wooden posts near Baal altars. Planting trees (especially evergreens) near YHWH's altar syncretized pagan worship with true worship—mixing light with darkness.
Paul echoes this: What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?...Come out from among them, and be ye separate (2 Corinthians 6:14, 17). The warning applies today: combining Christian faith with New Age spirituality, prosperity gospel materialism, or therapeutic deism creates hybrid religion—aesthetically appealing but spiritually toxic. No man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Worship must remain pure, undiluted by cultural idolatries.