Deuteronomy 20:18

so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter Canaan. He issues military regulations for approaching enemy cities, concluding with an order to completely destroy the listed Canaanite nations.

The words — The Hebrew לְמַ֗עַן (le.ma.'an) translates literally as "so that," functioning as a purpose clause. It binds the command of total destruction to the specific outcome that these peoples cannot instruct Israel in their detestable practices.

The thread — This boundary against adopting foreign worship appears in Deuteronomy 12:30, which forbids inquiring about their gods, and Exodus 23:33, which warns their presence will cause Israel to sin. The New Testament reflects this separation in Ephesians 5:11 by commanding believers to have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness.

Why it lands — The text states that complete destruction is required so the nations cannot teach Israel their detestable practices and cause them to sin against the Lord. A reader must apply this by actively rejecting any cultural or religious system that promotes idolatry or compromises exclusive devotion to God.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

לְמַ֗עַןle.Ma.'anso that אֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.Sherthat לֹֽא־lo'-not יְלַמְּד֤וּye.la.me.Duthey may teach אֶתְכֶם֙'et./Khem<obj.>/ you לַעֲשׂ֔וֹתla./'a.Sotto/ do כְּכֹל֙ke./Kholaccording to/ all תּֽוֹעֲבֹתָ֔םto.'a.vo.Ta/mabominations/ their אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich עָשׂ֖וּ'a.Suthey have done לֵֽאלֹהֵיהֶ֑םle./lo.hei./Hemfor/ gods/ their וַחֲטָאתֶ֖םva./cha.ta.Temand/ you will sin לַיהוָ֥הla./Yah.wehto/ Yahweh אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ ס'e.lo.hei./KhemGod/ your

King James Version

That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the Lord your God.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 12:30 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.”
Exodus 23:33 They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Exodus 34:16 And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.
Deuteronomy 7:4 because 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.
Joshua 23:13 know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.
Psalms 106:34 They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them,
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
2 Thessalonians 3:14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.