Deuteronomy 7:26 - You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.
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What does "Deuteronomy 7:26" mean?
Deuteronomy 7:26 is a strong warning against idolatry and the dangers of assimilating pagan practices into one's life. Let's break it down:
"You shall not bring an abomination into your house...": The "abomination" refers to idols or items associated with the pagan religions of the Canaanites. These were considered detestable to God. Bringing such an object into one's home was an act of defiance and a potential gateway to idolatry. The command to not bring it into one's house emphasizes the personal and intimate danger of idolatry. It wasn't just about avoiding public worship; it was about keeping these influences out of your private life and family.
"...and become a devoted thing like it.": A "devoted thing" (Hebrew: cherem) refers to something dedicated to destruction or utterly set apart for God. In the context of the Canaanites, it meant they were to be completely destroyed, along with their idols and possessions. The verse warns that by embracing idolatry, the Israelites would become like the cursed idols themselves, deserving of the same fate. They would become spiritually corrupted and alienated from God, bringing judgment upon themselves.
"You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it...": This emphasizes the intensity of the required rejection. It's not enough to merely avoid idolatry; it must be actively and passionately hated. The repetition of "utterly" underscores the seriousness of the commandment.
"...for it is a devoted thing.": This reinforces the reason for the strong warning. Idols and anything associated with pagan worship were inherently cursed and dangerous. They carried a spiritual defilement that could contaminate and destroy those who embraced them.
In summary, the verse means:
Do not bring idols or anything associated with pagan worship into your home. If you do, you risk becoming spiritually defiled and subject to God's judgment, just like the cursed objects themselves. You must actively hate and abhor these things, recognizing their inherent danger and their status as objects devoted to destruction.
Theological implications:
Purity and Separation: The verse highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and separation from anything that compromises one's relationship with God.
Dangers of Idolatry: It underscores the destructive nature of idolatry and its potential to corrupt individuals and communities.
God's Holiness: It reflects God's holiness and his intolerance of anything that defiles his name and his people.
All-Encompassing Obedience: It emphasizes that obedience to God is not just about outward actions but also about the inner attitudes and affections of the heart.
The verse serves as a timeless reminder to guard against any form of idolatry, whether it be the worship of physical objects, material possessions, or anything that takes the place of God in our lives.
Deuteronomy 7:26 - You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.
What does "Deuteronomy 7:26" mean?
Deuteronomy 7:26 is a strong warning against idolatry and the dangers of assimilating pagan practices into one's life. Let's break it down:
"You shall not bring an abomination into your house...": The "abomination" refers to idols or items associated with the pagan religions of the Canaanites. These were considered detestable to God. Bringing such an object into one's home was an act of defiance and a potential gateway to idolatry. The command to not bring it into one's house emphasizes the personal and intimate danger of idolatry. It wasn't just about avoiding public worship; it was about keeping these influences out of your private life and family.
"...and become a devoted thing like it.": A "devoted thing" (Hebrew: cherem) refers to something dedicated to destruction or utterly set apart for God. In the context of the Canaanites, it meant they were to be completely destroyed, along with their idols and possessions. The verse warns that by embracing idolatry, the Israelites would become like the cursed idols themselves, deserving of the same fate. They would become spiritually corrupted and alienated from God, bringing judgment upon themselves.
"You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it...": This emphasizes the intensity of the required rejection. It's not enough to merely avoid idolatry; it must be actively and passionately hated. The repetition of "utterly" underscores the seriousness of the commandment.
"...for it is a devoted thing.": This reinforces the reason for the strong warning. Idols and anything associated with pagan worship were inherently cursed and dangerous. They carried a spiritual defilement that could contaminate and destroy those who embraced them.
In summary, the verse means:
Do not bring idols or anything associated with pagan worship into your home. If you do, you risk becoming spiritually defiled and subject to God's judgment, just like the cursed objects themselves. You must actively hate and abhor these things, recognizing their inherent danger and their status as objects devoted to destruction.
Theological implications:
Purity and Separation: The verse highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and separation from anything that compromises one's relationship with God.
Dangers of Idolatry: It underscores the destructive nature of idolatry and its potential to corrupt individuals and communities.
God's Holiness: It reflects God's holiness and his intolerance of anything that defiles his name and his people.
All-Encompassing Obedience: It emphasizes that obedience to God is not just about outward actions but also about the inner attitudes and affections of the heart.
The verse serves as a timeless reminder to guard against any form of idolatry, whether it be the worship of physical objects, material possessions, or anything that takes the place of God in our lives.