Deuteronomy 12:31 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Never adopt Canaanite practices; they commit abominations God abhors, including child sacrifice.
The Context of Deuteronomy 12:31
Canaanite worship includes child sacrifice, making their practices absolutely incompatible with God's law.
What Does Deuteronomy 12:31 Mean?
Canaanite worship practices are abominations—things God hates. The specific horror named is child sacrifice: burning sons and daughters as offerings to Canaanite deities. This extreme example illustrates the moral abyss between God's law (which protects life) and Canaanite religion (which destroys it).
The mention of child sacrifice serves as the ultimate warning: adopting Canaanite ways means adopting practices fundamentally opposed to God's nature and character. God protects children and commands their nurture; Canaanite gods demand their destruction. The contrast is absolute and unbridgeable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 12:31
What does Deuteronomy 12:31 mean?
Never adopt Canaanite practices; they commit abominations God abhors, including child sacrifice.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 12:31?
Canaanite worship includes child sacrifice, making their practices absolutely incompatible with God's law.