Deuteronomy 16:21

Translations

Modern

Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,

Traditional

Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.

Literal

You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah pole of any tree near the altar of YHWH your God that you build for yourself.

Latin

Non plantabis lucum, et omnem arborem juxta altare Domini Dei tui.

Original

Hebrew

English

Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God,

Notes

Deuteronomy 16:21–22

Asherah pole … sacred pillar: See study note on 7:5; also see 12:3; Isaiah 27:8–9; Micah 5:13–15.

Deuteronomy 16:18–17:13

The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction.

The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Related verses

2 Chronicles 33:3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had torn down, and he raised up altars for the Baals and made Asherah poles. And he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.
2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.
2 Kings 21:3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.
Exodus 34:13
Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles.
1 Kings 14:15
For the LORD will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land that He gave their fathers, and He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherah poles, provoking the LORD to anger.
1 Kings 16:33
Then he set up an Asherah pole. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him.
Judges 3:7
So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
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.

People

Asherah: Canaanite goddess; associated with wooden poles, idolatry

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Law of Moses Oak Samuel (Person)

Topics

Altars: The Jews not to Plant Groves Near Christmas Trees Groves: Forbidden to be Established Groves: Not to be Planted Near God's Altar Idolatry: Denunciations Against Trees: The Jews: Prohibited from Planting in Consecrated Places

Deuteronomy 16:21

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