Deuteronomy 12:2 Destroy 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.

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 12 > Verse 2

◄ Deuteronomy 12:2 ►

New International Version
Destroy completely all the places on the high mountains, on the hills and under every spreading tree, where the nations you are dispossessing worship their gods.

New Living Translation
“When you drive out the nations that live there, you must destroy all the places where they worship their gods—high on the mountains, up on the hills, and under every green tree.

English Standard Version
You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.

Berean Standard Bible
Destroy 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.

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.

New American Standard Bible
You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you are going to dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every leafy tree.

NASB 1995
“You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.

NASB 1977
“You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree.

Amplified Bible
You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains and the hills and under every green [leafy] tree.

Christian Standard Bible
Destroy completely all the places where the nations that you are driving out worship their gods —on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Destroy completely all the places where the nations that you are driving out worship their gods—on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.

American Standard Version
Ye shall surely destroy all the places wherein the nations that ye shall dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

Contemporary English Version
But the nations that live there worship other gods. So after you capture the land, you must completely destroy their places of worship--on mountains and hills or in the shade of large trees.

English Revised Version
Ye shall surely 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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Completely destroy all the worship sites on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every large tree. The people you're forcing out worship their gods in these places.

Good News Translation
In the land that you are taking, destroy all the places where the people worship their gods on high mountains, on hills, and under green trees.

International Standard Version
Be sure you destroy there all the places where the nations that you're going to dispossess serve their gods—upon the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree.

Majority Standard Bible
Destroy 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.

NET Bible
You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods--on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree.

New Heart English Bible
You shall surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree:

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places in which the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

World English Bible
You shall surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you shall dispossess served their gods: on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
You utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you are dispossessing served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the heights, and under every green tree;

Young's Literal Translation
ye do utterly destroy all the places where the nations which ye are dispossessing served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the heights, and under every green tree;

Smith's Literal Translation
Destroying, ye shall destroy all the places where the nations which ye possess them served there their Gods upon the high mountains, and upon the hills and under every green tree.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Destroy all the places in which the nations, that you shall possess, worshipped their gods upon high mountains, and hills, and under every shady tree:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Overturn all the places where the nations, which you will possess, worshipped their gods on lofty mountains, and on hills, and under every leafy tree.

New American Bible
Destroy entirely all the places where the nations you are to dispossess serve their gods, on the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree.

New Revised Standard Version
You must demolish completely all the places where the nations whom you are about to dispossess served their gods, on the mountain heights, on the hills, and under every leafy tree.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
You must destroy all the places wherein the nations whom you are to possess worshipped, and all their gods upon high mountains and upon the hills and under every green tree;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Destroy all of the regions where the nations served there, that you inherit, and their gods on the high mountains and upon the hills and under every shady tree:

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye shall surely destroy all the places, wherein the nations that ye are to dispossess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every leafy tree.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall utterly destroy all the places in which they served their gods, whose land ye inherit, on the high mountains and on the hills, and under the thick tree.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

One Place for Worship
1These are the statutes and ordinances you must be careful to follow all the days you live in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess. 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. 3Tear 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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Kings 23:4-20
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. ...

2 Chronicles 34:3-7
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. / Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. ...

Exodus 23:24
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.

Leviticus 26:30
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.

Numbers 33:52
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.

Judges 2:2
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?

1 Kings 14:23
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.

1 Kings 18:30
Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down.

Isaiah 17:8
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.

Isaiah 27:9
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.

Jeremiah 17:2
Even their children remember their altars and Asherah poles by the green trees and on the high hills.

Ezekiel 6:3-6
You are to say: ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD! This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: I am about to bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. / Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols. / I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. ...

Hosea 10:2
Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.

Micah 5:13-14
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.

Matthew 15:13
But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.

Treasury of Scripture

You shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which you shall possess served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree:

utterly

Deuteronomy 7:5,25,26
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…

Exodus 23:24
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.

Exodus 34:12-17
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: …

posses.

Numbers 22:41
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal, that thence he might see the utmost part of the people.

2 Kings 16:4
And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

2 Kings 17:10,11
And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: …

Jump to Previous

Completely Curse Destroy Dispossess Dispossessing High Hills Leafy Mountains Nations Places Possess Served Spreading Surely Tree Utterly Wherein Worship

Jump to Next

Completely Curse Destroy Dispossess Dispossessing High Hills Leafy Mountains Nations Places Possess Served Spreading Surely Tree Utterly Wherein Worship

Deuteronomy 12

1. Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed
4. The place of God's service to be kept
15. Blood is forbidden
17. Holy things must be eaten in the holy place
19. The Levite is not to be forsaken
20. Blood is again forbidden
26. and holy things must be eaten in the holy place
29. Idolatry is not to be enquired after

Berean Study Bible

You must utterly destroy
The phrase "utterly destroy" in Hebrew is "הַאֲבֵד תְּאַבְּדוּן" (ha'aved te'abedun), which conveys a sense of complete annihilation. This command reflects the seriousness with which God viewed the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. The Hebrew root "אבד" (abad) means to perish or destroy, emphasizing the totality of the action required. Historically, this command was given to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by the pagan practices of the land they were entering. It underscores the need for purity and devotion to God, free from the corrupting influences of idolatry.

all the places
This phrase indicates the comprehensive nature of the command. "All the places" refers to every location where idolatrous worship was practiced. The Hebrew word for "places" is "מָקוֹם" (makom), which can mean a physical location or a more abstract space. Archaeologically, this would include high places, groves, and altars scattered throughout the land. The command to destroy these places highlights the importance of removing all traces of idolatry to establish a land dedicated solely to the worship of Yahweh.

where the nations you are dispossessing
The nations referred to are the Canaanite tribes inhabiting the Promised Land before the arrival of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "גּוֹיִם" (goyim), often used to describe non-Israelite peoples. Historically, these nations practiced various forms of idolatry and pagan rituals. The term "dispossessing" indicates the divine mandate given to Israel to take possession of the land, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. This phrase serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

worship their gods
The act of worship here is central to the command. The Hebrew word "עָבַד" (avad) means to serve or worship, indicating a deep, devoted practice. The "gods" mentioned are the false deities of the Canaanites, such as Baal and Asherah. Scripturally, this highlights the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods. The Israelites were to be distinct in their worship, serving only Yahweh. This phrase underscores the spiritual battle against idolatry and the call to exclusive devotion to the one true God.

on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree
This description provides a vivid picture of the widespread nature of Canaanite worship practices. "High mountains" and "hills" were often chosen for altars and shrines due to their elevation, believed to be closer to the gods. "Under every green tree" suggests the use of groves or sacred trees in worship, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religions. The specificity of these locations emphasizes the thoroughness required in eradicating idolatry. Spiritually, it serves as a metaphor for rooting out sin and false worship from every area of life, ensuring that no part of one's devotion is compromised.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) Ye shall utterly destroy.--First of all these requirements is the destruction of every vestige of idolatry. In the land of Jehovah there must be no trace of any other god but Him. The non-fulfilment of this command in the early history of Israel has led some to suppose that the command itself belongs to later times. But it must be observed that the destruction of these things is inextricably connected with the conquest of the country in detail. It was part of the work assigned to the several tribes of Israel when the land had been divided by Joshua. His work was to conquer the Canaanitish armies, and give Israel possession of their chief cities. He then assigned the land to the several tribes, to make it their own throughout. Obviously, if every tribe had insisted upon destroying all monuments of idolatry in its own territory, one of two results must have followed: either the remnant of the Canaanitish nations must have been excited to fresh acts of rebellion and hostility, resulting in their extermination, or else they must have yielded themselves entirely to the worship of Jehovah. But Israel disobeyed the order. They did not themselves yield to idolatry in Joshua's time. The disturbance made respecting the altar Ed (see Joshua 22) is quite sufficient of itself to prove the strictness of the law against strange altars. But the Canaanites being left undisturbed after they ceased to resist openly, and their objects of worship being left unmolested, there were constant temptations to idolatry, to which Israel yielded. And thus it was not until the times of Heze-kiah and Josiah that these laws were carried out. But this does not prove the law to have come into existence then, any more than the present condition of the human race proves that man was not made in God's image in Paradise.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 2, 3. - In order to this, Israel was, as soon as the land was possessed, to destroy all the objects and means of idolatrous worship in the land. Upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree (cf. Isaiah 57:7; Jeremiah 2:20; Jeremiah 3:6; Jeremiah 17:2; Hosea 4:13; 2 Kings 16:4; 2 Kings 17:10). The heathen had their places of worship on lofty elevations, probably because they imagined they were thus nearer to the object of their worship; and they sought also the shade of woods or thick-foliaged trees (Ezekiel 6:13), under which to perform their rites, as tending to inspire awe, and as in keeping with the mysterious character of their rites. These places of heathen worship in Canaan the Israelites were utterly to destroy, along with the images of their deities and other objects of idolatrous worship. Burn their groves; their asherahs, idol-pillars of wood (cf. Deuteronomy 7:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Destroy completely
אַבֵּ֣ד (’ab·bêḏ)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the places
הַמְּקֹמ֞וֹת (ham·mə·qō·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

where
אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the nations
הַגּוֹיִ֗ם (hag·gō·w·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

you
אַתֶּ֛ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are dispossessing
יֹרְשִׁ֥ים (yō·rə·šîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

have served
עָֽבְדוּ־ (‘ā·ḇə·ḏū-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

their gods—
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

atop
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the high
הָֽרָמִים֙ (hā·rā·mîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

mountains,
הֶהָרִ֤ים (he·hā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

on
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the hills,
הַגְּבָע֔וֹת (hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1389: A hillock

and under
וְתַ֖חַת (wə·ṯa·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

green
רַעֲנָן׃‪‬ (ra·‘ă·nān)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7488: Verdant, new, prosperous

tree.
עֵ֥ץ (‘êṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

Links

Deuteronomy 12:2 NIV
Deuteronomy 12:2 NLT
Deuteronomy 12:2 ESV
Deuteronomy 12:2 NASB
Deuteronomy 12:2 KJV

Deuteronomy 12:2 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 12:2 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 12:2 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 12:2 French Bible
Deuteronomy 12:2 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:2 You shall surely destroy all the places (Deut. De Du)