Deuteronomy 20:18 nasb — so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so t…

NASB

"so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God."

— Deuteronomy 20:18, NASB

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Deuteronomy 20:18 in Other Translations

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Deuteronomy 20 — Context

15

"Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby.

16

"Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes.

17

"But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you,

18

so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.

19

"When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them; for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down. For is the tree of the field a man, that it should be besieged by you?

20

"Only the trees which you know are not fruit trees you shall destroy and cut down, that you may construct siegeworks against the city that is making war with you until it falls.

Deuteronomy 20:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Deuteronomy 20:18 say?
Deuteronomy 20:18 in the NASB reads: “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.”
Where is Deuteronomy 20:18 in the Bible?
Deuteronomy 20:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 20, verse 18.
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 20:18.
What translation should I read Deuteronomy 20:18 in?
Deuteronomy 20:18 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 20:18?
Deuteronomy 20:18 reads (NASB): “so that they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God.” 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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