Deuteronomy 7:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not bring pagan religious objects into your home, lest you become cursed along with them.
The Context of Deuteronomy 7:26
Complete rejection and revulsion toward pagan objects is required to avoid personal and household curse.
What Does Deuteronomy 7:26 Mean?
The final instruction extends the logic to the household level. An 'abomination' (toevah)—something inherently offensive to God—must not cross the threshold of an Israelite home. To bring such an object into one's house is to invite a curse upon oneself; the abomination transfers its cursedness to the home and its inhabitants. The language suggests that sacred and profane are not merely different but actively dangerous to mix.
The call for utter detestation and abhorrence—repeated twice for emphasis—demands an emotional and moral response, not mere mechanical obedience. Israel is to develop and maintain a visceral revulsion toward pagan religious objects. This rooting of the law in emotional and moral disposition aims at genuine transformation of the people's inner life, ensuring that external compliance is paired with internal rejection of idolatry.
Deuteronomy 7:26 in the Original Language
toevah (תּוֹעֵבָה), 'abomination' — something ritually or morally repugnant that violates the divine order; its presence corrupts whatever space or person harbors it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 7:26
What does Deuteronomy 7:26 mean?
Do not bring pagan religious objects into your home, lest you become cursed along with them.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 7:26?
Complete rejection and revulsion toward pagan objects is required to avoid personal and household curse.