Deuteronomy 7:25
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
of their gods
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
of their gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 19
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כֶּ֨סֶף
the silver
H3701
כֶּ֨סֶף
the silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
7 of 19
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְזָהָ֤ב
or gold
H2091
וְזָהָ֤ב
or gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
8 of 19
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣
that is on them nor take
H3947
וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣
that is on them nor take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
פֶּ֚ן
H6435
פֶּ֚ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ
it unto thee lest thou be snared
H3369
תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ
it unto thee lest thou be snared
Strong's:
H3369
Word #:
13 of 19
to ensnare (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֽוֹעֲבַ֛ת
therein for it is an abomination
H8441
תֽוֹעֲבַ֛ת
therein for it is an abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
יְהוָ֥ה
to the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Exodus 32:20And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.Deuteronomy 17:1Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.1 Chronicles 14:12And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.Deuteronomy 12:3And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.Joshua 7:21When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.Deuteronomy 23:18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.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.Joshua 7:1But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Historical Context
Ancient idols were often overlaid with precious metals and jewels, making them valuable plunder. The temptation to preserve them for their material worth would have been strong, especially for a recently-enslaved people lacking wealth. God's command to destroy them completely demonstrated that covenant faithfulness supersedes economic advantage. Gideon's later violation (creating an ephod from captured gold, Judges 8:24-27) validated this warning—'it became a snare.' The golden calf incident (Exodus 32) showed Israel's susceptibility to this temptation.
Questions for Reflection
- What material gains tempt you toward spiritual compromise or association with evil?
- How can seemingly 'innocent' possessions or pursuits become 'snares' leading to spiritual bondage?
- In what ways should you apply the principle of burning (completely rejecting) rather than redeeming corrupt things?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command to burn graven images and reject the precious metals adorning them addresses the temptation of materialism in spiritual warfare. The silver and gold on idols could rationalize preserving them ('just for the valuable material'), but God prohibits this. 'Lest thou be snared therein' shows how greed creates spiritual compromise. The language 'abomination to the LORD' (to'evat YHWH) expresses God's intense hatred of idolatry. This teaches that no material gain justifies compromise with evil. Achan's violation of this command (taking Babylonian garments and silver) brought judgment on all Israel (Joshua 7). In spiritual application, believers must reject not just obvious sin but anything that might 'snare'—seemingly harmless pleasures that lead to bondage (1 Corinthians 10:14).