Deuteronomy 18:12

Verse

For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

American Standard Version (1901)

For whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah: and because of these abominations Jehovah thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Bible in Basic English

For all who do such things are disgusting to the Lord; and because of these disgusting things the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them at thy coming.

Free Bible Version

It's because of these offensive things that the Lord your God is driving out the nations before you.

Geneva Bible 1599

For all that doe such things are abomination vnto the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doeth cast them out before thee.

King James (Authorized) Version

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

One Unity Resource Bible

For whoever does these things is detestable to Adonai . Because of these abominations, Adonai your God drives them out from before you.

Translation for Translators

Yahweh hates people who do any of those disgusting things. And as you advance through that land, he is going to expel the people-groups because they do/practice those disgusting things.

Unlocked Literal Bible

For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh; it is because of these abominations that Yahweh your God is driving them out from before you.

Noah Webster Bible

For all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

World English Bible

For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh. Because of these abominations, Yahweh your God drives them out from before you.

Young's Literal Translation

'For the abomination of Jehovah [is] every one doing these, and because of these abominations is Jehovah thy God dispossessing them from thy presence.

Context

Sorcery Forbidden

¹¹casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.¹²For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Summary

This verse warns against engaging in detestable practices such as witchcraft, sorcery, interpreting omens, casting spells, or consulting with mediums or spiritists. These activities are considered abhorrent to the Lord and are strictly forbidden in the sight of God. The Israelites were instructed to be a holy and set-apart people, abstaining from any form of occult practices that would lead them away from God. By obeying this command, they would maintain their relationship with the one true God and avoid the spiritual dangers associated with such forbidden practices.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord,.... Not that do all these things, but whoever does any of them, as Jarchi notes; all such persons that use such unlawful methods, or any of them, to gain knowledge; and likewise all those that consult them, and make use of them; and especially it must be very abominable in the people of Israel to encourage such persons and practices, who had the knowledge of the true God, and him to consult on all occasions; had his law and testimony to attend unto as the rule of their conduct, and his prophets to advise with in matters of difficulty; see Isa 8:20. and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee; as well as other sins mentioned in Lev 18:24 and, as before observed from Cicero, all nations have been addicted to the arts of divination here condemned.