Deuteronomy 12:2 net — You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods– on the h…

NET Bible

"You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods– on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree."

— Deuteronomy 12:2, NET Bible

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Deuteronomy 12:2 in Other Translations

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Deuteronomy 12 — Context

1

The Central Sanctuary These are the statutes and ordinances you must be careful to obey as long as you live in the land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you to possess.

2

You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods– on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree.

3

You must tear down their altars, shatter their sacred pillars, burn up their sacred Asherah poles, and cut down the images of their gods; you must eliminate their very memory from that place.

4

You must not worship the LORD your God the way they worship.

5

But you must seek only the place he chooses from all your tribes to establish his name as his place of residence, and you must go there.

Deuteronomy 12:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Deuteronomy 12:2 say?
Deuteronomy 12:2 in the NET Bible reads: “You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods– on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree.”
Where is Deuteronomy 12:2 in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 12:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 12, verse 2.
Who wrote Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Largely framed as Moses' farewell speeches; the closing chapter narrating his death was likely added by Joshua or a later editor. It was written c. 1406 BC.
What is the book of Deuteronomy about?
Deuteronomy is Moses' final sermons to Israel before they enter the Promised Land — a renewed call to love and obey the LORD. It re-states the Law, rehearses Israel's history, and lays before the people blessing for obedience and curse for rebellion.
What are the major themes of Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy explores themes including Covenant, Love, Obedience, Remembrance, Blessing & Curse. These themes shape the meaning and context of Deuteronomy 12:2.
What translation should I read Deuteronomy 12:2 in?
Deuteronomy 12:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Deuteronomy 12:2?
Deuteronomy 12:2 reads (NET): “You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods– on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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