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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must never set up a wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD your God that you shall make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not plant for yourself any tree, as a wooden image, near the altar which you build for yourself to the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make for yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make for yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make for yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Yahweh your God, which you shall make for yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree <i>or</i> wood beside the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Do not set up an Asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not set up an Asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of Jehovah thy God, which thou shalt make thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you build the altar for offering sacrifices to the LORD your God, don't set up a sacred pole for the worship of the goddess Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you build the altar for the LORD your God, never plant beside it any tree dedicated to the goddess Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"When you make an altar for the LORD your God, do not put beside it a wooden symbol of the goddess Asherah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to set up a sacred pole beside the altar of the LORD your God that you will build. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not plant any kind of tree as a sacred Asherah pole near the altar of the LORD your God which you build for yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not plant for yourselves an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near to the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make for thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not plant for yourselves an Asherah of any kind of tree beside Yahweh your God’s altar, which you shall make for yourselves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not plant an Asherah of any trees for yourself near the altar of your God YHWH, which you make for yourself,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not plant for thee a shrine of any trees near the altar of Jehovah thy God, which thou makest for thyself,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant to thee a grove of any wood near the altar of Jehovah thy God which thou shalt make to thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt plant no grove, nor any tree near the altar of the Lord thy God: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not plant a sacred grove, nor shall you plant any tree near the altar of the Lord your God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not plant an asherah of any kind of wood next to the altar of the LORD, your God, which you will build;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not plant any tree as a sacred pole beside the altar that you make for the LORD your God;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not plant for yourselves a grove of any trees near the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make for yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Do not plant for yourself a grove of any tree on the side of the altar of LORD JEHOVAH your God which you shall make for yourself.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant thee an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not plant for thyself a grove; thou shalt not plant for thyself any tree near the altar of thy God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=4803" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Forbidden Forms of Worship</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5193.htm" title="5193: ṯiṭ·ṭa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To plant. A primitive root; properly, to strike in, i.e. Fix; specifically, to plant.">set up</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">any</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: ‘êṣ (N-ms) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">wooden</a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: ’ă·šê·rāh (N-fs) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">Asherah pole</a> <a href="/hebrew/681.htm" title="681: ’ê·ṣel (Prep) -- A joining together, proximity. From 'atsal; a side; near.">next to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·baḥ (N-msc) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">the altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ta·‘ă·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you will build</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">for the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></span><br />Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a></span><br />“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25-26</a></span><br />On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. / Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a></span><br />They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a></span><br />They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Isaiah 44:14-15</a></span><br />He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. / It serves as fuel for man. He takes some of it to warm himself, and he kindles a fire and bakes his bread. He also fashions it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a></span><br />Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Hosea 4:13</a></span><br />They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Micah 5:14</a></span><br />I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">2 Chronicles 33:19</a></span><br />His prayer and how God received his plea, as well as all his sin and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself, they are indeed written in the Records of the Seers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Matthew 15:13</a></span><br />But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a></span><br />God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a></span><br />The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a></span><br />They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-14.htm">1 Corinthians 10:14</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not plant you a grove of any trees near to the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a></b></br> But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/3-7.htm">Judges 3:7</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/14-15.htm">1 Kings 14:15</a></b></br> For 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-27.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">Ashe'rah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-12.htm">Build</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-8.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-18.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/numbers/15-8.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-10.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/numbers/21-9.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/genesis/38-22.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-18.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-30.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-1.htm">Wooden</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/26-4.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Ashe'rah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-3.htm">Build</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-5.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/judges/18-3.htm">Makest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-9.htm">Plant</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-6.htm">Planted</a> <a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Pole</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-17.htm">Shrine</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-10.htm">Sort</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-2.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-5.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-19.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/psalms/74-5.htm">Wooden</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">The feast of the Passover</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-9.htm">of weeks</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-13.htm">of tabernacles</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Of judges and justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Asherah poles and images are forbidden</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Asherah was a Canaanite goddess associated with fertility and was often worshipped alongside Baal. Wooden poles or trees were used as symbols of her presence. This command underscores the importance of exclusive worship of the LORD, rejecting syncretism with pagan practices. The Israelites were to remain distinct from the surrounding nations, emphasizing purity in worship.<p><b>next to the altar</b><br>The altar was a sacred place designated for worship and sacrifices to the LORD. Placing an Asherah pole next to the altar would signify a blending of pagan and Yahwistic practices, which was strictly forbidden. This reflects the biblical theme of holiness, where God’s people are called to separate themselves from the practices of other nations. The altar was to remain a place solely dedicated to the worship of the one true God.<p><b>you will build for the LORD your God</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between the Israelites and God. The use of "your God" highlights the covenant relationship established at Sinai, where God chose Israel as His people. The construction of altars was a significant act of devotion and obedience, symbolizing the Israelites' commitment to worship God according to His commands. It also points to the future establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, where proper worship would be centralized. This foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true temple and the perfect sacrifice, making a way for believers to worship God in spirit and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/asherah.htm">Asherah</a></b><br>A Canaanite goddess often associated with fertility and worshiped through wooden poles or trees.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>A sacred place for offering sacrifices to the LORD, representing His presence and worship.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_promised_land.htm">The Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter and where they must uphold God's commandments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry_and_its_dangers.htm">Idolatry and Its Dangers</a></b><br>Idolatry is a direct violation of God's commandments and leads to spiritual adultery. Believers must be vigilant in identifying and removing any form of idolatry in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purity_in_worship.htm">Purity in Worship</a></b><br>Worship of God must be pure and untainted by pagan practices. This calls for discernment and dedication to maintaining the sanctity of worship spaces and practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a></b><br>The Israelites were warned against adopting the practices of surrounding nations. Christians today must be cautious of cultural influences that contradict biblical teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Obedience to God's commands is crucial for maintaining a relationship with Him. This includes adhering to His instructions even when they counter cultural norms.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_leadership.htm">Spiritual Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, like Moses and later Gideon, are called to guide their people away from idolatry and towards true worship. Spiritual leaders today have a responsibility to uphold and teach God's truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_an_asherah_pole_represent.htm">What does an Asherah pole represent?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_asherah_in_ancient_mythology.htm">Who is Asherah in ancient mythology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_sacred_pillars.htm">What are the Sacred Pillars?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_solomon's_sacrifice_conflict_with_bans.htm">Does Solomon's sacrifice at high places (1 Kings 3:2-3) conflict with scriptural bans on worship outside the central sanctuary?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not plant thee a grove.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">asherah, </span>sometimes used of images, but here evidently of the grove itself. The worship of Jehovah allowed of no secret rites; and nothing that could lead to the abominations of heathen idolatry could be permitted near Jehovah's altar.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21, 22.</span> - In all states, the highest crime of which the judge has to take note is that of treason against the supreme Rower; and, under the theocracy, the act most distinctly treasonable was idolatry. In proceeding, therefore, to give some practical admonitions as to the things to be observed in the administration of justice, Moses begins by denouncing and forbidding this most flagrant form of iniquity. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees</span>; <span class="accented">thou shalt not plant</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. place or set up, <span class="accented">an asherah of any wood</span>. The asherah was an idol of wood in the form of a pillar, usually placed by the side of the altars of Baal. It was the symbol of Astarte, the great Canaanitish goddess, the companion and revealer of Baal. The two are usually associated in the Old Testament (cf. <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a>; <a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Judges 6:28</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-19.htm">1 Kings 18:19</a>; <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4</a>). The rendering "grove" has been taken from the LXX. and the Vulgate; but that it is an error is evident from <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>; <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a>; and <a href="/jeremiah/17-2.htm">Jeremiah 17:2</a>; where the asherah is said to be <span class="accented">under</span> a green tree; and from the use of such words as <span class="accented">make</span>, <span class="accented">set up</span>, <span class="accented">cause to stand</span>, <span class="accented">build</span>, to denote the action of producing an asherah (cf. <a href="/1_kings/14-15.htm">1 Kings 14:15</a>; <a href="/1_kings/16-33.htm">1 Kings 16:33</a>; <a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a>; <a href="/2_kings/17-10.htm">2 Kings 17:10</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/33-19.htm">2 Chronicles 33:19</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a>), none of which are appropriate to the planting of a grove. Here, indeed, the word "plant" is used, but this is only because, as the asherah was sunk in the earth that it might stand firm, it might be figuratively said to be planted, just as nails driven in are said to be planted (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:11</a>, where the same verb is used; comp. also <a href="/isaiah/51-16.htm">Isaiah 51:16</a>; <a href="/amos/9-15.htm">Amos 9:15</a>; <a href="/daniel/11-25.htm">Daniel 11:25</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">plant</span><br /><span class="heb">תִטַּ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(ṯiṭ·ṭa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5193.htm">Strong's 5193: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike in, fix, to plant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">any</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kind of tree</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֑ץ</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as an Asherah pole</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same</span><br /><br /><span class="word">next to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֗צֶל</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ṣel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_681.htm">Strong's 681: </a> </span><span class="str2">A joining together, proximity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבַּ֛ח</span> <span class="translit">(miz·baḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will build</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּעֲשֶׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(ta·‘ă·śeh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:21 You shall not plant you an Asherah (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 16:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 16:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 16:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 16:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>