Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and do not erect a sacred stone, for these the LORD your God hates. New Living Translation And never set up sacred pillars for worship, for the LORD your God hates them. English Standard Version And you shall not set up a pillar, which the LORD your God hates. Berean Standard Bible and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. King James Bible Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. New King James Version You shall not set up a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. New American Standard Bible And you shall not set up for yourself a memorial stone, which the LORD your God hates. NASB 1995 “You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the LORD your God hates. NASB 1977 “Neither shall you set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the LORD your God hates. Legacy Standard Bible And you shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which Yahweh your God hates. Amplified Bible You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the LORD your God hates. Christian Standard Bible and do not set up a sacred pillar; the LORD your God hates them. Holman Christian Standard Bible and do not set up a sacred pillar; the LORD your God hates them.” American Standard Version Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar; which Jehovah thy God hateth. Contemporary English Version And don't set up a sacred stone! The LORD hates these things. English Revised Version Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar; which the LORD thy God hateth. GOD'S WORD® Translation Never set up a sacred stone. These are things the LORD your God hates. Good News Translation And do not set up any stone pillar for idol worship; the LORD hates them. International Standard Version Furthermore, you are not to erect for yourselves a sacred stone pillar, because the LORD your God detests these things. NET Bible You must not erect a sacred pillar, a thing the LORD your God detests. New Heart English Bible Neither shall you set yourself up a pillar; which the LORD your God hates. Webster's Bible Translation Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. World English Bible Neither shall you set yourself up a sacred stone which Yahweh your God hates. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you do not raise up any standing image for yourself which your God YHWH is hating.” Young's Literal Translation and thou dost not raise up to thee any standing image which Jehovah thy God is hating. Smith's Literal Translation And thou shalt not set up to thee a pillar, which Jehovah thy God hates. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNeither shalt thou make nor set up to thyself a statue: which things the Lord thy God hateth. Catholic Public Domain Version you shall neither make nor set up for yourself a statue. These things the Lord your God hates.” New American Bible nor shall you erect a sacred pillar, such as the LORD, your God, hates. New Revised Standard Version nor shall you set up a stone pillar—things that the LORD your God hates. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNeither shall you set up for yourselves any statue, which the LORD your God hates. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you shall not set up as a monument for yourself anything that LORD JEHOVAH your God hates.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the LORD thy God hateth. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thou shalt not set up for thyself a pillar, which the Lord thy God hates. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Forbidden Forms of Worship21Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, 22and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates. Cross References Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. Leviticus 26:1 “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. 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. 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. 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. 2 Kings 17:10 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. Isaiah 44:9-20 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. ... Jeremiah 10:3-5 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.” Hosea 10:1-2 Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. / 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 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. Acts 17:29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. Romans 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 1 Corinthians 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 2 Corinthians 6:16 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.” Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Treasury of Scripture Neither shall you set you up any image; which the LORD your God hates. image. Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Leviticus 26:1 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. which Deuteronomy 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. Jeremiah 44:4 Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate. Zechariah 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD. Jump to Previous Erect Hated Hates Hateth Hating Image Pillar Pillars Raise Sacred Standing Statue StoneJump to Next Erect Hated Hates Hateth Hating Image Pillar Pillars Raise Sacred Standing Statue StoneDeuteronomy 16 1. The feast of the Passover9. of weeks 13. of tabernacles 16. Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts 18. Of judges and justice 21. Asherah poles and images are forbidden and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar In ancient Near Eastern cultures, sacred pillars, or standing stones, were often erected as objects of worship or as memorials to deities. These pillars were typically associated with pagan religious practices, which were prevalent among the Canaanites and other neighboring peoples. The Israelites were commanded to avoid such practices to maintain purity in their worship of Yahweh. The prohibition against sacred pillars underscores the importance of worshiping God in the manner He prescribed, without adopting the idolatrous customs of surrounding nations. This command reflects the broader biblical theme of separating from pagan practices, as seen in Exodus 23:24 and Leviticus 26:1. which the LORD your God hates Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. Canaan The land the Israelites are about to enter, where pagan practices were prevalent. 4. Sacred Pillar A stone monument often used in pagan worship, which God explicitly forbids. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The one true God who commands exclusive worship and detests idolatry. Teaching Points God's Hatred of IdolatryGod explicitly states His hatred for sacred pillars, which were associated with pagan worship. This underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the need for purity in worship. Exclusive Worship The commandment highlights the importance of worshiping God alone, without mixing pagan practices. Believers today must guard against modern forms of idolatry. Cultural Influence The Israelites were warned against adopting the practices of the surrounding nations. Christians must be vigilant about cultural influences that can lead them away from true worship. Obedience to God's Commands Obedience to God's commands is a demonstration of love and reverence for Him. Believers are called to follow God's Word, even when it contradicts societal norms. Spiritual Discernment Understanding the spiritual significance of God's commands helps believers discern what is pleasing to Him. This requires studying Scripture and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 16:22?2. Why does Deuteronomy 16:22 prohibit setting up a sacred stone? 3. How does Deuteronomy 16:22 relate to the First Commandment? 4. What modern practices might violate Deuteronomy 16:22's principles? 5. How can we ensure our worship aligns with Deuteronomy 16:22? 6. How does Deuteronomy 16:22 reflect God's desire for pure worship? 7. Why does Deuteronomy 16:22 prohibit sacred pillars? 8. How do sacred pillars relate to idolatry in Deuteronomy 16:22? 9. What historical context explains the ban on sacred pillars in Deuteronomy 16:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 16? 11. What does the Bible say about sacred stones? 12. What does an Asherah pole represent? 13. What does 'delight in the Law of the Lord' mean? 14. What are high places in the Bible? What Does Deuteronomy 16:22 Mean andThe verse opens with the small word “and,” but it carries weight. It links verse 22 directly to verse 21, which has already forbidden Israel from planting an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD (Deuteronomy 16:21). Moses is continuing the same thought—protect pure worship by refusing every pagan element. Similar “and” connections show up elsewhere (Exodus 34:13; 2 Kings 23:14), reminding us that the fight against idolatry is ongoing and comprehensive. do not set up God is not negotiating; He is commanding. • The negative form echoes the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-5). • “Do not” calls for active obedience—Israel must refuse, dismantle, and refuse to rebuild (Leviticus 26:1; Exodus 23:24). • The command guards worship, because any compromise in externals eventually corrupts the heart (1 Corinthians 10:14). for yourselves The phrase drives responsibility home. • Each family, tribe, and individual is accountable. Nobody can shrug and say, “The priests will handle it.” • Personal decisions shape national faithfulness (Joshua 24:15). • Even well-intentioned “cultural” symbols become snares when adopted “for yourselves” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17). a sacred pillar These standing stones were common markers of fertility cults and Baal worship. • They were visually impressive, deliberately placed to draw attention (1 Kings 14:23). • God had permitted simple memorial stones in His service (Joshua 4:6-7), but “sacred pillars” tied to pagan ritual blurred the line between remembrance and idolatry. • Israel was to destroy, not redesign, such objects (Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3). which the LORD your God hates Hate is a strong word, and Scripture means it literally. • Idols steal glory that belongs to God alone (Isaiah 42:8). • Idolatry invites demonic influence (Psalm 106:36-37; 1 Corinthians 10:20). • Because God loves His people, He hates what harms them (Deuteronomy 7:26; Psalm 97:10). For believers today: – Anything we trust, love, or obey above God becomes an idol—career, relationships, technology, even ministry. – Loving what God loves includes hating what He hates (Romans 12:9; 1 John 5:21). summary Deuteronomy 16:22 — “and do not set up for yourselves a sacred pillar, which the LORD your God hates.” In one concise sentence God calls His people to wholehearted, unpolluted worship. The connective “and” ties the command to previous warnings. “Do not set up” demands decisive action. “For yourselves” places accountability on every follower. “A sacred pillar” pinpoints a seductive form of idol worship, and the closing clause underscores divine hatred for anything that competes with Him. Then and now, the lesson is the same: clear away every rival so that the Lord alone is honored. (22) Image.--Explained by Rashi of a single stone, whether statue or pillar.Verse 22. - Any image; any pillar, etc. The Hebrew word (מַצֵבָה, mazzebah) denotes generally any pillar or stone that is set up, whether as a memorial (Genesis 28:18), or as a sign (Exodus 24:4; Isaiah 19:19), or for purposes of utility or ornament (Jeremiah 43:13). Here, as in other passages, it is a pillar or statue set up as an object of worship (cf. 2 Kings 3:2; 2 Kings 10:26; Hosea 10:1; Micah 5:12). |
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