Deuteronomy 12:4 — Word Study
WLCלֹֽא־ תַעֲשׂ֣וּן כֵּ֔ן לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
BSAYou shall notlôʼ [under no circumstances] worshipʻâsâh▸ the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, the supreme God] your Godʼĕlôhîym [Elohim, the one supreme deity] in this waykên [so, thus, by these means]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לֹֽא־ | not | Particle |
| תַעֲשׂ֣וּן | you will do ! | Verb qal imperfect second person masculine plural, suffix |
| כֵּ֔ן | thus | Adverb |
| לַיהוָ֖ה | to Yahweh | Preposition, noun proper |
| אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ | God your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way. |
| KJV | Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God. |
| ASV | Ye shall not do so unto Jehovah your God. |
| YLT | 'Ye do not do so to Jehovah your God; |
| WEB | You shall not do so to Yahweh your God. |
| BBE | Do not so to the Lord your God. |
Where they part company is תַעֲשׂ֣וּן — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a clear main clause followed by a prepositional phrase that specifies how worship should not be conducted.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Deuteronomy 12:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Instructions on Worshipgenerated
Deuteronomy 12:4 is part of a larger section where Moses instructs the Israelites on how to properly worship the LORD and warns them against adopting the practices of the nations around them. This command emphasizes the importance of following God's specific instructions in worship, contrasting with the pagan practices that were prevalent in the land they were entering.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 12:30–31 | be 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.” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 16:21–22 | Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole next to the altar you will build for the LORD your God, |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 20:18 | so that they cannot teach you to do all the detestable things they do for their gods, and so cause you to sin against the LORD your God. |
| 4 | Leviticus 20:23 | You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — לֹא, lo'-generated
The Hebrew word לֹא (lo') is a particle used to indicate negation or prohibition. It is a simple yet powerful word that conveys the absence of something, in this case, the absence of acceptable worship practices when not aligned with God's commands.
In this verse, it signifies that under no circumstances should the Israelites worship God in the ways that are common among the nations. The use of this word sets a clear boundary for acceptable worship.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תַעֲשׂ֣וּן (you shall do) governs the main clause, with a negation preceding it and an adverbial phrase following. This structure emphasizes the prohibition against certain actions in worship.
The order of the words emphasizes the negation first, highlighting the importance of the command not to worship in the ways described.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates לֹא as οὐ (ou), maintaining the negation. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the prohibition against improper worship.
For תַעֲשׂ֣וּן, the LXX uses ποιήσετε (poiēsate), which means 'you will do.' This choice reflects a direct command and reinforces the action expected from the Israelites.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 12:4 instructs the Israelites not to worship the LORD their God in the ways that the surrounding nations do. This command emphasizes the need for proper worship according to God's guidelines, setting a clear distinction between acceptable and unacceptable practices.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This verse emphasizes that worship must be conducted according to God's specific instructions, rejecting any practices that do not align with His commands.
Worshiping in the ways of surrounding nations could lead to idolatry and disobedience to God's commands, which is why these instructions are given.
We can apply this verse by ensuring our worship practices align with biblical teachings and avoiding influences that contradict God's word.
Worshiping God 'in this way' refers to adopting practices that are not ordained by Him, which could include rituals or traditions from other religions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways we might inadvertently adopt practices that do not align with biblical worship?
- How can we ensure that our worship is pleasing to God?
- What steps can we take to learn more about proper worship according to Scripture?
- In what ways can we encourage others to follow God's commands in their worship?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 12:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleYe shall not do so unto the Lord your God. Not sacrifice to him on hills and mountains, and under green trees; though the Jews commonly refer this to the destruction of the names of God, and of any
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryYe shall not do so unto the LORD your God. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Biblei.e. Not worship him in several places, mountains, groves, &c., which sense is evident from the following opposition.
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 12:4 Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.Ver. 4. Ye shall not do so.] As wicked Ahaz did, by the advice and help of Uriah, that turn-coat, who had once passed for a faithful witness, but afterwards proved a factor for the devil.
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Ye shall not do so—i.e. shall not serve Him upon the high mountains, and hills, and under every green tree, after the manner of the nations.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesI. First Division of the Laws: on Worship and Religious Institutions—Deuteronomy 12:2 to Deuteronomy 16:17, Deuteronomy 16:21 to Deuteronomy 17:7 Some 16 laws occupying because of their subject the premier place in the Code. 2–28. The Law of the One Altar and its Corollary As we have seen the law of One Sanctuary for Israel was, in the circumstances of that people in the 7th century, an inevitable consequence from the prophetic proclamation of One God for Israel. For the practice of worshipping Him at many shrines, sanctioned by Himself in the earlier period of Israel’s settlement, had, especially as many of the sites chosen were those of the Canaanite worship of local Ba‘alim, tended to…
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 12 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Biblei. e., “The idolaters set up their altars and images on any high hill, and under every green tree at their pleasure, but ye shall not do so; the Lord Himself shall determine the spot for your
Read Albert Barnes on Deuteronomy 12 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible4. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God — You are not to follow the example of these nations and select places for worship. You must conform to Jehovah’s requirements, and worship in the place he appoints.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Deuteronomy 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way.
You shall not do so to Yahweh your God.
You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way.
You must not worship the Lord your God the way they worship.
Tyndale line
Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.
Ye shall not do so unto Jehovah your God.
Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God.
Ye shall not do so to the LORD your God.
Ye shall not do so vnto ye Lord your God,
Strictly literal
Ye shall not do so unto Jehovah your God;
'Ye do not do so to Jehovah your God;
You do not do so to your God YHWH;
Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God;
You will not worship Yahweh your God like that.
From the Latin
You shall not do so to the Lord your God:
Simplified
You are not to worship the Lord your God in the way that they did.
Do not so to the Lord your God.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint, with all five words matched in translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly, using תעשׂו instead of תַעֲשׂ֣וּן, which indicates a different form but retains the same meaning. The Dead Sea Scrolls show no variation in wording, though some words were supplied by an editor.
לֹֽא־ תַעֲשׂ֣וּן כֵּ֔ן לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
לא תעשׂו כן ליהוה אלהיכם
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: תעשׂו (make)
[לא] [תעשו׳ן] [כן] [ליהוה] [אלהי׳כם]
nothing on the leather here — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 12:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp | Suff — Verb qal imperfect second person masculine plural · suffixHVqi2mp/Sn
The Hebrew word כֵּן (*ken*) is built from the root meaning 'set upright.' It functions as an adjective meaning 'right,' 'veritable,' or 'honest,' and as an adverb meaning 'so,' 'therefore,' or 'thus.' It appears in various contexts, often indicating manner or relation, and is used in phrases like 'forasmuch as.'
כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest
right
veritable, true
pl. concr. honest (men)
base
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
כֵּן adv. so
base
H3651a כֵּן adj. right, veritable, honest H3651b כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as H3651c כֵּן so
3651 ken kane
from 3559; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as
adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction)
rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and
relation; often with other particles):--+ after that
(this, -ward, -wards), as ... as, + (for-)asmuch as yet, + be
(for which) cause, + following, howbeit, in (the) like
(manner, -wise), X the more, right, (even) so, state,
straightway, such (thing), surely, + there (where)-fore, this,
thus, true, well, X you.
see HEBREW for 03559
כֵּן (ken) — right.
adv
adj
1) right, just, honest, true, veritable
1a) right, just, honest
1b) correct
1c) true, veritable
[כִּי עַל] כֵּן ([ki al] ken) — as.
adv
forasmuch as, since
כֵּן (ken) — so.
adv
1) so, therefore, thus
1a) thus, so
1b) just so
1c) therefore
1d) so...as (paired with adv)
1e) then
1f) forasmuch as (in phrase)
1g) (with prep)
1g1) therefore, this being so (specific)
1g2) hitherto
1g3) therefore, on this ground (general)
1g4) afterwards
1g5) in such case
Aramaic equivalent: ken (כֵּן "thus" H3652)
Part — AdverbHD
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npt
אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is a plural noun meaning 'gods' or 'God,' often referring to the supreme deity in the Old Testament. It encompasses divine beings, rulers, and judges, reflecting divine majesty and power. The term can also denote angels and is used in a superlative sense. Notably, it is sometimes combined with יהוה (YHWH), the personal name of God.
אֱלֹהִים 2570 n.m.pl.
pl. in number.
rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
angels
gods
pl. intensive
god or goddess
godlike one
works of God, or things belongng to him
God
הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
אֱלֹהִים = God
base
H430 אֱלֹהִים n. m. pl. . pl. in number. . rulers, judges, either asdivine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power
. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels
. angels
. gods
. pl. intensive . god or goddess
. godlike one
. works of God, or things belongng to him
. God
. הָאֱלֹהִים the (true) God
. אֱלֹהִים = God
430 'elohiym el-o-heem'
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the
supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to
magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X
exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X
mighty.
see HEBREW for 0433
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — God.
This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God"
Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (LORD)-Elohe.
Combined with ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068)
אֱלֹהִים (e.lo.him) — (Gibeath)-elohim.
Combined with giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeath" H1389)
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2mp