CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 12:3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/12-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/05_Deu_12_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 12:3 - One Place for Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/12-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/12-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:2">◄</a> Deuteronomy 12:3 <a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New International Version</a> Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and burn their Asherah poles in the fire; cut down the idols of their gods and wipe out their names from those places. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> Break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Burn their Asherah poles and cut down their carved idols. Completely erase the names of their gods! <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">King James Bible</a> And 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. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New King James Version</a> And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And you shall tear down their altars and smash their memorial stones to pieces, and burn their Asherim in the fire, and cut to pieces the carved images of their gods; and you shall eliminate their name from that place. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And you shall tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods, and you shall obliterate their name from that place. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And you shall tear down their altars and shatter their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall cut the graven images of their gods in pieces and destroy their name from that place. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You shall tear down their altars and smash their [idolatrous] pillars and burn their Asherim in the fire; you shall cut down the carved and sculpted images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn their Asherah poles, cut down the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the carved images of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> and ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Wherever these nations worship their gods, you must tear down their altars, break their sacred stones, burn the sacred poles used in worshiping the goddess Asherah, and smash their idols to pieces. Destroy these places of worship so completely that no one will remember they were ever there. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> and ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Tear down their altars, crush their sacred stones, burn their poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, cut down their idols, and wipe out the names of their gods from those places. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> Tear down their altars and smash their sacred stone pillars to pieces. Burn their symbols of the goddess Asherah and chop down their idols, so that they will never again be worshiped at those places. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Tear down their altars, cut down their sacred poles, and burn them. Cut down the carved images of their gods to erase their memory from that place." <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/12.htm">NET Bible</a> You must tear down their altars, shatter their sacred pillars, burn up their sacred Asherah poles, and cut down the images of their gods; you must eliminate their very memory from that place. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods; and you shall destroy their name out of that place. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And 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. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/12.htm">World English Bible</a> You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut down the engraved images of their gods. You shall destroy their name out of that place. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and you have broken down their altars, and shattered their standing pillars, and you burn their Asherim with fire, and you cut down carved images of their gods, and have destroyed their name out of that place. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and ye have broken down their altars, and shivered their standing pillars, and their shrines ye burn with fire, and graven images of their gods ye cut down, and have destroyed their name out of that place. <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And break ye down their altars and break in pieces their pillars, and their columns ye shall burn with fire; and the carved things of their gods ye shall hew down, and destroy their names from that place.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Overthrow their altars, and break down their statues, burn their groves with fire, and break their idols in pieces: destroy their names out of those places. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Scatter their altars and break their statues. Burn their sacred groves with fire and crush their idols. Abolish their names from those places. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Bible</a> Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their asherahs, and chop down the idols of their gods, that you may destroy the very name of them from that place. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Break down their altars, smash their pillars, burn their sacred poles with fire, and hew down the idols of their gods, and thus blot out their name from their places.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And you shall tear down their altars and break their statues and burn their graven images with fire; and break the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And you shall pull down their altars and you shall break down their monuments and their carved works you shall burn in fire and their engraved gods you shall break, and you shall destroy their names from that place.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods; and ye shall destroy their name out of that place. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And ye shall destroy their altars, and break in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their groves, and ye shall burn with fire the graven images of their gods, and ye shall abolish their name out of that place. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=3560" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">One Place for Worship</a> …2Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. 3<a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: wə·nit·taṣ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">Tear down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·b·ḥō·ṯå̄m (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">their altars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: wə·šib·bar·tem (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">smash</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4676.htm" title="4676: maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A pillar, stump. Feminine participle of natsab; something stationed, i.e. A column or; by analogy, an idol.">their sacred pillars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: tiś·rə·p̄ūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">burn up</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/842.htm" title="842: wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Or masheyrah; from 'ashar; happy; Asherah a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same.">their Asherah poles,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1438.htm" title="1438: tə·ḡad·dê·‘ūn (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To hew, hew down or off. A primitive root; to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything.">cut down</a> <a href="/hebrew/6456.htm" title="6456: ū·p̄ə·sî·lê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">the idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of their gods,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6.htm" title="6: wə·’ib·baḏ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To perish. A primitive root; properly, to wander away, i.e. Lose oneself; by implication to perish.">and wipe out</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">their names</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">every place.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> 4You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a> You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces. <a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. <a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a> When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property. <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</a> and you are not to make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall tear down their altars.’ Yet you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">1 Kings 14:23</a> They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. <a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a> He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones. <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Leviticus 26:30</a> I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you. <a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Numbers 33:52</a> you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places. <a href="/isaiah/17-8.htm">Isaiah 17:8</a> They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers. <a href="/jeremiah/16-18.htm">Jeremiah 16:18</a> And I will first repay them double their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and they have filled My inheritance with their abominations.” <a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Hosea 10:2</a> Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars. <a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Micah 5:13</a> I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. <a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Acts 19:19</a> And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-14.htm">1 Corinthians 10:14</a> Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a> What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And you shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and you shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.ye shall<a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Numbers 33:52</a> Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:<a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Judges 2:2</a> And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?<a href="/2_chronicles/31-1.htm">2 Chronicles 31:1</a> Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.overthrow [heb] break down <a href="/1_kings/15-13.htm">1 Kings 15:13</a> And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a> He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.<a href="/2_kings/23-14.htm">2 Kings 23:14</a> And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.and destroy<a href="/exodus/23-13.htm">Exodus 23:13</a> And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.<a href="/psalms/16-4.htm">Psalm 16:4</a> Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.<a href="/hosea/2-17.htm">Hosea 2:17</a> For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-2.htm">Break</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-2.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-3.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-1.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-30.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Images</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-24.htm">Names</a> <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-20.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-5.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-30.htm">Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Asherahs</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-15.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-23.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Break</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-6.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-12.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-8.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-5.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-17.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-17.htm">Images</a> <a href="/joshua/17-3.htm">Names</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-23.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-26.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-22.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-7.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-22.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-11.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/psalms/74-6.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-10.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/judges/2-2.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 12</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-1.htm">Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed</a> 4. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">The place of God's service to be kept</a> 15. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Blood is forbidden</a> 17. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a> 19. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">The Levite is not to be forsaken</a> 20. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Blood is again forbidden</a> 26. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">and holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a> 29. <a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Idolatry is not to be enquired after</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Tear down their altars In the context of ancient Israel, altars were often constructed as places of worship and sacrifice. The command to tear down these altars reflects God's directive to eliminate all forms of idolatry and pagan worship from the land. This action was necessary to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by the religious practices of the Canaanites. The altars were often built on high places, which were considered sacred by the pagans, and their destruction symbolized the rejection of false gods and the exclusive worship of Yahweh.Smash their sacred pillars Sacred pillars, or standing stones, were erected as symbols of deities or as memorials in pagan worship. These pillars were often associated with fertility rites and other religious ceremonies. By commanding the Israelites to smash these pillars, God was instructing them to dismantle the physical representations of idolatry. This act served as a clear statement against syncretism and the blending of pagan practices with the worship of the one true God.Burn up their Asherah poles Asherah poles were wooden symbols representing the goddess Asherah, a prominent figure in Canaanite religion. These poles were often placed near altars and were integral to the worship of fertility deities. Burning them was a decisive act of purification, removing the temptation to engage in idolatrous practices. The destruction of Asherah poles is echoed in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in the reforms of King Josiah (<a href="/2_kings/23-6.htm">2 Kings 23:6</a>), highlighting the ongoing struggle against idolatry in Israel's history.Cut down the idols of their gods Idols were physical representations of deities, crafted from materials like wood, stone, or metal. The command to cut down these idols underscores the prohibition against idolatry found in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). This action was intended to eliminate any tangible objects that could lead the Israelites away from worshiping Yahweh. The cutting down of idols also prefigures the ultimate triumph of God over false gods, as seen in the prophetic literature (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/46.htm">Isaiah 46:1-2</a>).Wipe out their names from every place The eradication of the names of pagan gods from the land signifies the complete removal of their influence and memory. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name held significant power and identity. By wiping out their names, the Israelites were to ensure that no trace of these deities remained, reinforcing the exclusivity of Yahweh's worship. This command also points to the future hope of a world where only the name of the Lord is exalted, as prophesied in <a href="/zechariah/14-9.htm">Zechariah 14:9</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 2. <a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a> The land that the Israelites are about to enter, which is inhabited by various nations with pagan religious practices. 3. <a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a> Sacred trees or poles set up near Canaanite altars, associated with the worship of the goddess Asherah. 4. <a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a> Physical representations of false gods worshiped by the Canaanites, which the Israelites are commanded to destroy. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, tasked with purging the land of idolatry to establish a place of worship dedicated solely to Yahweh.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/purity_in_worship.htm">Purity in Worship</a> God demands exclusive worship and the removal of anything that competes for His glory. Believers today must examine their lives for modern "idols" that may detract from their devotion to God. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> The Israelites were called to radical obedience in destroying idols. Christians are similarly called to obey God's Word, even when it requires difficult choices. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a> The destruction of idols represents a spiritual battle against forces that oppose God. Believers are engaged in spiritual warfare, requiring vigilance and reliance on God's strength. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_influence.htm">Cultural Influence</a> Just as the Israelites were to resist the influence of Canaanite culture, Christians must be cautious of cultural influences that lead away from biblical truth. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faithfulness.htm">Legacy of Faithfulness</a> By eradicating idolatry, the Israelites were to establish a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. Christians are called to leave a legacy of faith and obedience for those who follow.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 12</a> <a href="/q/what_are_high_places_in_the_bible.htm">What are high places in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_reconcile_sharing_altars_with_ot_laws.htm">(Amos 2:8) How do we reconcile the practice of sharing pagan altars with strict laws against idolatry found elsewhere in the Old Testament? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_sacred_pillars.htm">What are the Sacred Pillars?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_rabshakeh_see_reforms_as_bad.htm">Isaiah 36:7: Why is removing high places presented by the Rabshakeh as a sign of God's disfavor if Hezekiah's reforms were meant to honor God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Destroy the names.--The substitution in later times of bosheth for baal in the names Jerubbaal (Jerubbesheth), Eshbaal (Ishbosheth), Meribbaal (Mephibosheth), is a curious example of the literal fulfilment of this command, or, perhaps, rather of the command in <a href="/exodus/23-13.htm" title="And in all things that I have said to you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth.">Exodus 23:13</a>, of which the spirit and purport agree with this. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Tear down וְנִתַּצְתֶּ֣ם (wə·nit·taṣ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> To pull down, break down their altars, מִזְבּחֹתָ֗ם‪‬ (miz·b·ḥō·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar smash וְשִׁבַּרְתֶּם֙ (wə·šib·bar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces their sacred pillars, מַצֵּ֣בֹתָ֔ם (maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4676.htm">Strong's 4676: </a> Something stationed, a column, an idol burn up תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן (tiś·rə·p̄ūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire their Asherah poles, וַאֲשֵֽׁרֵיהֶם֙ (wa·’ă·šê·rê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_842.htm">Strong's 842: </a> A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same cut down תְּגַדֵּע֑וּן (tə·ḡad·dê·‘ūn) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> To fell a, tree, to destroy anything the idols וּפְסִילֵ֥י (ū·p̄ə·sî·lê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6456.htm">Strong's 6456: </a> An idol, image of their gods, אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֖ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and wipe out וְאִבַּדְתֶּ֣ם (wə·’ib·baḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6.htm">Strong's 6: </a> To wander away, lose oneself, to perish their names שְׁמָ֔ם (šə·mām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name from מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of every place. הַמָּק֖וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Deuteronomy 12:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:3 And you shall break down their altars (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 12:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 12:4" /></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>