Deuteronomy 12:29-32·~1 min

A Warning against Idolatry

Once the nations are dispossessed, Israel must not ask how their gods were served or copy those rites for the LORD. Those practices are abominations, so the command must be kept without addition or subtraction.

W²⁹hen the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations you are entering to dispossess, and you drive them out and live in their land, ³⁰be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” ³¹You must not worship the LORD your God in this way, because they practice for their gods every abomination which the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods. ³²See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.

Section summaryAfter the nations are cut off, Israel must not become curious about their worship or imitate it in serving the LORD. Their practices are hateful, even to the point of child sacrifice, so Israel must keep the command exactly as given.

Role in the chapterThis closing section sharpens the chapter's concern by showing why borrowed worship is deadly. It seals the call to central, obedient worship with a warning against curiosity, imitation, and alteration.