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<!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 7:5 Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/7-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/05_Deu_07_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 7:5 - Casting out the Nations" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire." /><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/7-5.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/7-5.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/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 5</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="/ad5.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/7-4.htm" title="Deuteronomy 7:4">◄</a> Deuteronomy 7:5 <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm" title="Deuteronomy 7:6">►</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/7.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/7.htm">New International Version</a> This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols in the fire. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> This is what you must do. You must break down their pagan altars and shatter their sacred pillars. Cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols. <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/7.htm">King James Bible</a> But 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. <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/7.htm">New King James Version</a> But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But this is what you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, smash their memorial stones, cut their Asherim to pieces, and burn their carved images in the fire. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars and shatter their sacred pillars and cut their Asherim in pieces and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But this is how you shall deal with them: you shall tear down their altars and smash to pieces their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherim (symbols of the goddess Asherah), and burn their carved or sculpted images in the fire. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their carved images. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn up their carved images. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> But thus shall ye deal with them: ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/cev/deuteronomy/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So when you conquer these nations, tear down the altars where they worship their gods. Break up their sacred stones, cut down the poles that they use in worshiping the goddess Asherah, and throw their idols in the fire. <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But this is what you must do to these people: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, and burn their idols. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> So then, tear down their altars, break their sacred stone pillars in pieces, cut down their symbols of the goddess Asherah, and burn their idols. <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> This is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, break their pillars, cut down their ritual pillars, and burn their carved idols in fire, <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Instead, this is what you must do to them: You must tear down their altars, shatter their sacred pillars, cut down their sacred Asherah poles, and burn up their idols. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, and dash their pillars in pieces, and cut down their Asherim, and burn their engraved images with fire. <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But 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. <a href="/web/deuteronomy/7.htm">World English Bible</a> But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their engraved images with fire. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> But thus you do to them: you break down their altars, and you shatter their standing pillars, and you cut down their Asherim, and you burn their carved images with fire. <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'But thus thou dost to them: their altars ye break down, and their standing pillars ye shiver, and their shrines ye cut down, and their graven images ye burn with fire; <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But thus shall ye do to them; their altars ye shall destroy, and their pillars ye shall break in pieces, and their statues ye shall cut down, and their carved things ye shall burn in are.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But thus rather shall you deal with them: Destroy their altars, and break their statues, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven things. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> So instead, you shall do this to them: overturn their altars, and break their statues, and cut down their sacred groves, and burn up their graven images. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/7.htm">New American Bible</a> But this is how you must deal with them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, chop down their asherahs, and destroy their idols by fire. <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But this is how you must deal with them: break down their altars, smash their pillars, hew down their sacred poles, and burn their idols with fire.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But thus shall you deal with them: you shall destroy their altars and break down their statues and cut down their ornaments and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> But in this way do to them: pull down their altars and break down their monuments, and cut down their carved works and burn their engraved images in fire.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But thus shall ye deal with them: ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But thus shall ye do to them; ye shall destroy their altars, and shall break down their pillars, and shall cut down their groves, and shall burn with fire the graven images of their gods. <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/7-5.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=2220" 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/7.htm">Casting out the Nations</a> …4because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. 5<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Instead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">this is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ṯa·‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you are to do to them:</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: tit·tō·ṣū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">tear down</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥō·ṯê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">their altars,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: tə·šab·bê·rū (V-Piel-Imperf-2mp) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">smash</a> <a href="/hebrew/4676.htm" title="4676: ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām (Conj-w:: 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/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/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/8313.htm" title="8313: tiś·rə·p̄ūn (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp:: Pn) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">and burn</a> <a href="/hebrew/6456.htm" title="6456: ū·p̄ə·sî·lê·hem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An idol, image. From pacal; an idol.">their idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: bā·’êš (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">in the fire.</a> 6For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.…<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/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a> Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. <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="/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="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a> All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a> For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” <a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a> “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. <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="/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="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a> Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... <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 5:13-14</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. / I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. <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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But thus shall you deal with them; you shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.destroy<a href="/deuteronomy/12-2.htm">Deuteronomy 12:2,3</a> Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: … <a href="/exodus/23-24.htm">Exodus 23:24</a> Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.<a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Exodus 34:13</a> But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:images [heb] statues, or pillars<a href="/deuteronomy/16-22.htm">Deuteronomy 16:22</a> Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.<a href="/leviticus/26-1.htm">Leviticus 26:1</a> Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.and cut<a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25,26</a> And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: … burn<a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Deuteronomy 7:25</a> 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.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-21.htm">Deuteronomy 9:21</a> And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount.<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a> And 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/23-29.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Break</a> <a href="/numbers/24-9.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-44.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/numbers/18-17.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-25.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-8.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-12.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/numbers/33-52.htm">Images</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-44.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-9.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/numbers/21-18.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-45.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/numbers/29-12.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-5.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-13.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Altars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Asherah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Asherim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Ashe'rim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-17.htm">Break</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-16.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-20.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Dash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-14.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-10.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Engraved</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-1.htm">Hew</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-25.htm">Images</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-17.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-20.htm">Pillars</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Poles</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Sacred</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Smash</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-9.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Statues</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-3.htm">Tear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-8.htm">Trees</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 7</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-1.htm">All communion with the nations is forbidden</a> 5. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">for fear of idolatry,</a> 6. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">for the holiness of the people,</a> 9. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-9.htm">for the nature of God in his mercy and justice,</a> 17. <a href="/deuteronomy/7-17.htm">and for the assuredness of victory which God will give over them.</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/7.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/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Instead, this is what you are to do to them: This directive comes as part of God's instructions to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The context is a command to completely destroy the pagan nations inhabiting Canaan. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing holiness and separation from idolatry. The command underscores the importance of obedience to God’s laws and the rejection of pagan practices.tear down their altars, Altars in ancient Canaan were used for sacrifices to various deities. By tearing them down, the Israelites were to eliminate the means of worship for these false gods. This act symbolizes the rejection of idolatry and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. It also serves as a physical demonstration of the spiritual cleansing required to maintain purity in worship.smash their sacred pillars, Sacred pillars, or standing stones, were often erected as symbols of the presence or power of a deity. Smashing these pillars was a direct attack on the religious symbols of the Canaanites, demonstrating the superiority of the God of Israel. This action is a reminder of the first commandment, which prohibits the worship of other gods.cut down their Asherah poles, Asherah poles were wooden symbols associated with the goddess Asherah, a prominent figure in Canaanite religion. Cutting them down was a way to dismantle the infrastructure of pagan worship. This act signifies the removal of temptations that could lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God. It also prefigures the New Testament call to remove anything that hinders one's relationship with Christ.and burn their idols in the fire. Burning idols was a method of complete destruction, ensuring that no remnant of the false gods remained. This act of burning signifies purification and the total eradication of idolatry from the land. It reflects the biblical theme of God as a consuming fire, purifying His people and eliminating sin. This also foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and idolatry through Jesus Christ, who purifies believers and calls them to worship in spirit and truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, who are being instructed by Moses on how to deal with the pagan nations in the Promised Land. 2. <a href="/topical/c/canaanites.htm">Canaanites</a> The inhabitants of the land that God promised to the Israelites, known for their idolatrous practices. 3. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The leader of the Israelites, delivering God's commandments and instructions to the people. 4. <a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a> The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 5. <a href="/topical/a/asherah_poles.htm">Asherah Poles</a> Wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, representing idolatry and false worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_purity_in_worship.htm">The Importance of Purity in Worship</a> God commands the Israelites to destroy all forms of idolatry to maintain purity in their worship. This teaches us the importance of removing anything in our lives that competes with our devotion to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_compromise.htm">The Dangers of Compromise</a> Allowing pagan practices to coexist with the worship of God leads to spiritual compromise. We must be vigilant in identifying and eliminating influences that can lead us away from God. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> The Israelites are called to obey God's instructions fully. This reminds us of the importance of complete obedience to God's Word in our lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Call to Spiritual Warfare</a> The physical destruction of idols in the Old Testament symbolizes the spiritual battle we face today. We are called to actively fight against sin and idolatry in our hearts. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_in_spiritual_guidance.htm">The Role of Leadership in Spiritual Guidance</a> Moses, as a leader, provides guidance and instruction to the Israelites. This highlights the importance of godly leadership in guiding others towards righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 7</a> <a href="/q/why_destroy_religious_objects_in_deut._7_5.htm">Why does Deuteronomy 7:5 require the destruction of religious objects, and is there any historical proof that such widespread destruction occurred? </a> <a href="/q/what_are_high_places_in_the_bible.htm">What are high places in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_archaeological_proof_of_ezekiel_6_4-5.htm">Why does Ezekiel 6:4–5 describe a destruction of altars and idols that lacks clear archaeological confirmation of such widespread devastation? </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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Ye shall destroy their altars. . . .--This course, if adopted in a conquered territory, would be certain to bring matters to a crisis. The inhabitants must rise in defence of the objects of their worship--a course which would end in their extermination--or they must adopt the worship of Jehovah.Their groves.--Here the grove itself in which the idol was worshipped, and so in <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm" title="You shall not plant you a grove of any trees near to the altar of the LORD your God, which you shall make you.">Deuteronomy 16:21</a>. Sometimes the word is used for the image.Burn their graven images with fire.--David treated the images of the Philistines thus (<a href="/1_chronicles/14-12.htm" title="And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.">1Chronicles 14:12</a>). Compare <a href="/isaiah/37-19.htm" title="And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.">Isaiah 37:19</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5-8. - They were not only to have no fellowship with the idolaters, but they were to root out their idolatry, everting their altars and destroying their idols; and this because they were a holy people, graciously chosen of God to be his special possession - a high privilege and honor which they were to be careful not to cast away. Verse 5. - Cut down their groves; rather, cut or hew in pieces their asherahs. These were, apparently, wooden pillars of considerable height, which were firmly planted in the ground (comp. <a href="/judges/6-25.htm">Judges 6:25-27</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Deuteronomy 16:21</a>)? and were consecrated to the worship of a female deity, the companion of Baal; probably the same as that after-war, is known as Astarte, the Venus of the Syrians (see note on Deuteronomy 16:21). <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Instead, כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction this is what כֹּ֤ה (kōh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> Like this, thus, here, now you are to do to them: תַעֲשׂוּ֙ (ṯa·‘ă·śū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make tear down תִּתֹּ֔צוּ (tit·tō·ṣū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> To pull down, break down their altars, מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם (miz·bə·ḥō·ṯê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar smash תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּ (tə·šab·bê·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> To break, break in pieces their sacred pillars, וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם (ū·maṣ·ṣê·ḇō·ṯām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4676.htm">Strong's 4676: </a> Something stationed, a column, an idol cut down תְּגַדֵּע֔וּן (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 their Asherah poles, וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙ (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 and burn תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּן (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 idols וּפְסִילֵיהֶ֖ם (ū·p̄ə·sî·lê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6456.htm">Strong's 6456: </a> An idol, image in the fire. בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 7:5 But you shall deal with them like (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 7:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 7:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 7:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 7:6" /></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>