Forbidden Worship
Deuteronomy 16:21-17:7
Deu.16.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תטע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצל: PREP
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.12:3-4 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to break down altars and cut down the Asherim; closely parallels the wording and the prohibition against Asherah poles near worship sites.
- Deut.7:5 (verbal): Commands Israelites to destroy Canaanite altars and to burn their Asherim—an earlier Deuteronomic formulation of the same ban on Asherah imagery.
- Exod.34:13 (verbal): God orders Israel to break down altars, smash sacred stones, and cut down their Asherim—language very similar to Deut 16:21's prohibition.
- 2 Kings 23:4-7 (structural): King Josiah removes Asherah poles and destroys high places in the temple precincts—a royal reform that enacts the Deuteronomic prohibition against Asherah near the altar.
- Judg.6:25-28 (thematic): Gideon tears down an altar and cuts down an Asherah pole; a narrative example of the practice of removing Asherah imagery from Israelite worship.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah pole—any tree—beside the altar of the LORD your God that you make for yourself.
- You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah—any tree—beside the altar of the LORD your God that you make for yourself.
Deu.16.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- תקים: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מצבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שנא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:21 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same context forbidding the planting of an Asherah pole beside the LORD's altar—paired injunctions against cultic trees/pillars.
- Deuteronomy 12:3–4 (structural): Commands to break down altars, smash sacred stones and burn Asherim of the Canaanite peoples, framing the prohibition against erecting pagan cultic monuments.
- Exodus 34:13 (verbal): God commands Israel to tear down the altars, break sacred stones and cut down Asherim—language and intention closely mirror Deut 16:22.
- Judges 6:25–26 (thematic): Gideon is instructed to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah—narrative enactment of the prohibition against pillars/Asherim.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (thematic): Hezekiah's reforms include destroying high places, breaking the pillars and cutting down Asherim—illustrates later application of the Deuteronomic ban on cultic pillars.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall not set up for yourself a standing stone; for the LORD your God hates it.
- Nor shall you set up for yourself a pillar; for the LORD your God hates it.
Deu.17.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תזבח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- שור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- תועבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 22:20-25 (verbal): Explicit priestly law forbidding offering animals with blemishes; language and legal prohibition parallel Deut. 17:1's ban on defective sacrificial animals.
- Leviticus 1:3 (verbal): Instruction that burnt offerings (bull) must be 'without blemish'—same sacrificial requirement applied to different offering types.
- Exodus 12:5 (verbal): The Passover lamb must be 'without blemish' — a non‑cultic/communal instance of the same purity standard for sacrificial animals.
- Malachi 1:8 (allusion): Prophet condemns offering blind or lame animals as contempt for God, echoing the Deuteronomic/Levitical prohibition against blemished sacrifices.
- 1 Peter 1:19 (allusion): New Testament application calling Christ 'a lamb without blemish or spot,' typologically linking the requirement of unblemished sacrificial animals to the spotless sacrificial lamb.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that is blemished; for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.
- You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any blemish; for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deu.17.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- באחד: PREP
- שעריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- לעבר: INF,qal
- בריתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 13:6-11 (verbal): Deals with an individual who entices others to serve other gods and prescribes investigation and execution; shares language and concern about someone in the community doing 'evil' against the covenant (close verbal and thematic parallel).
- Deuteronomy 17:3-7 (structural): Immediate continuation of v.2 in the same passage: specifies the nature of the offense (worship of other gods), the required investigation, witness rules, and the death penalty—directly completes the legal procedure introduced in v.2.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (structural): Establishes the legal principle that a matter must be confirmed by two or three witnesses for prosecution—this rule is applied in Deut.17 (vv.6–7) when judging someone accused of breaking the covenant.
- Leviticus 20:2-5 (thematic): Prescribes capital punishment and communal consequences for sacrificing to other gods and leading others astray; parallels Deut.17.2's concern with covenant violation and prescribed severe sanctions for idolatory.
- Joshua 7:11-26 (Achan) (thematic): Narrates a case where one person’s covenant violation brings defeat on the community and results in his execution and communal purging—illustrates the social and religious rationale behind Deut.17.2’s treatment of covenant transgressors.
Alternative generated candidates
- If there is found among you, in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, transgressing his covenant,
- If there is found among you, in one of your gates that the LORD your God gives you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, to transgress his covenant,
Deu.17.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ויעבד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- וישתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ולשמש: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- לירח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- לכל: PREP
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Deut.4.19 (verbal): Explicit parallel wording warning Israel not to be drawn to bow down to the sun, moon and all the host of heaven — nearly the same prohibition against worshipping heavenly bodies.
- Exod.20.3-5 (verbal): The Decalogue’s prohibition against having other gods and bowing to/idolizing them echoes Deut.’s ban on serving foreign gods and heavenly hosts.
- Deut.13.6-11 (structural): A closely related Deuteronomic law prescribing the community’s response when close kin or friends entice one to serve other gods — reinforces the command in 17:3.
- 1 Kings 11.4 (thematic): Narrative example: Solomon’s wives turned his heart after other gods, illustrating the very danger and consequence Deuteronomy forbids.
- 2 Kings 21.3-5 (thematic): Manasseh’s establishment of altars to the sun, moon and host of heaven provides a historical instance of the prohibited worship named in Deut.17:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- and who goes and serves other gods and worships them—whether sun or moon or all the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded—
- and he goes and serves other gods and worships them—sun or moon or all the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded—
Deu.17.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והגד: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ושמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ודרשת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- היטב: ADV
- והנה: ADV
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נכון: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נעשתה: VERB,nip,perf,3,f,sg
- התועבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 13:14 (verbal): Similar investigative command regarding reports of idolatry — the community is to go and search out the matter to see if it is true before acting.
- Deuteronomy 17:2–7 (structural): Immediate context prescribing the procedure when an abomination is reported in Israel, including inquiry, testimony of witnesses, and the punishment to be imposed.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (verbal): Legal principle that a matter is established by the testimony of two or three witnesses, which undergirds the requirement in 17:4 to verify reports through proper inquiry.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8–11 (thematic): Jehoshaphat’s instructions to judges to act with diligence, hear cases impartially, and investigate matters carefully echo Deuteronomy’s concern for thorough inquiry and just adjudication.
Alternative generated candidates
- and it is reported to you and you have heard it and inquired diligently, and behold, it is true and established that this abominable thing has been done in Israel,
- and it is reported to you, and you hear and investigate diligently, and behold, the thing is true and established that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
Deu.17.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוצאת: VERB,hiph,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- או: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- שעריך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- או: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וסקלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- באבנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומתו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperf,3,_,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 13:12-15 (verbal): Almost identical legal formula: when a city or person is found guilty of leading Israel into idolatry the community is to bring the offender(s) out to the gates and stone them — same procedure and language as Deut 17:5.
- Numbers 15:35-36 (structural): Narrative enactment of the law: a man who violated the Sabbath is taken outside the camp and stoned by the congregation, reflecting the communal procedure for capital punishment described in Deut 17:5.
- Leviticus 20:27 (verbal): Prescribes death by stoning for certain prohibited practices (‘they shall stone them with stones’), repeating the specific mode of execution found in Deut 17:5.
- Leviticus 24:14-16 (structural): Procedure for capital cases: the offender is brought before the congregation (or door/tent of meeting) and stoned — parallels Deut 17:5’s emphasis on bringing the person out and executing communal judgment.
- 1 Kings 21:13 (thematic): Narrative example (Naboth’s execution) in which people are taken out of the city and stoned, illustrating the same method of execution applied in Israelite practice as presupposed by Deut 17:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gate—the man or the woman—and you shall stone them to death.
- then you shall bring out the man or the woman who has done this evil thing to your gates—the man or the woman—and you shall stone them with stones so that they die.
Deu.17.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- שלשה: NUM,m
- עדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- המת: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- יומת: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- עד: PREP
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.19.15 (verbal): Repeats the same legal principle: one witness is not sufficient; conviction requires two or three witnesses.
- Numbers 35:30 (verbal): Applies the two- or three-witness rule in the homicide/avenger-of-blood context, linking the death penalty to multiple witnesses.
- Matthew 18:16 (quotation): Jesus (on church discipline) cites the principle that matters are established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- John 8:17 (allusion): Jesus appeals to the Mosaic rule that the testimony of two men is true—an echo of the Deuteronomic witness requirement.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 (quotation): Paul employs the same legal maxim—'every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses'—when addressing accusations and visits.
Alternative generated candidates
- By the testimony of two or three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.
- By the evidence of two or three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
Deu.17.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להמיתו: INF,hiphil,3,m,sg
- ויד: CONJ
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- באחרנה: PREP+ADV,ord,f,sg
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Deut.17.6 (structural): Immediate context: specifies that a person shall be put to death on the evidence of two or three witnesses, forming the legal basis for the witnesses' hands being first in executing the sentence.
- Deut.19.15 (verbal): Restates the general legal principle that a matter must be established by two or three witnesses; provides the broader evidentiary rule behind the procedure in 17:7.
- Deut.13.12-18 (thematic): Prescribes investigation and execution of an idolatrous city and its inhabitants and commands purging evil from Israel—paralleling the communal enactment of capital punishment and removal of evil in 17:7.
- Num.35.30-31 (verbal): Declares that a person shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses and that no ransom is permitted—echoing the requirement of witness testimony for capital cases and the finality of the sentence.
- Matt.18.16 (allusion): Jesus cites the two-or-three-witness rule (‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses’) in the context of church discipline, alluding to the same Mosaic evidentiary principle reflected in Deut 17:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to execute him, and the hands of all the people afterwards; so you shall purge the evil from your midst.
- The hands of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people; and you shall purge the evil from your midst.
You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah—any tree—beside the altar of the LORD your God that you make for yourself.
Nor shall you set up for yourself a standing stone, for the LORD your God hates it.
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any blemish; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
If there is found among you, in one of your gates that the LORD your God gives you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, to transgress his covenant,
and he goes and serves other gods and bows down to them—to the sun or to the moon or to all the host of heaven, which I did not command—
then it shall be reported to you, and you shall inquire diligently; and behold, the thing is confirmed, true and established: this abomination has been done in Israel.
You shall bring out the man or the woman who have done this wicked thing to your gates—the man or the woman—and you shall stone them with stones so that they die.
On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
The hands of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people; and you shall purge the evil from among you.