Deuteronomy 12:2

Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree:

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 7:5 specifies destroying altars and pillars, directly paralleling the command to destroy pagan worship sites in Deuteronomy 12:2.

Deuteronomy 7:25 also commands burning carved images, expanding on the destruction of idolatry mentioned in Deuteronomy 12:2.

Deuteronomy 7:26 Related theme

Deuteronomy 7:26 warns against bringing abominable things into the house, reinforcing the theme of avoiding idolatry from Deuteronomy 12:2.

Exodus 34:12-17 similarly orders tearing down altars and cutting down Asherim, directly paralleling Deuteronomy 12:2.

Hosea 4:13 Contrast

In Hosea 4:13, Israelites repeat the very practices condemned here: sacrificing on mountains and under trees, showing persistent idolatry.

Ezekiel 20:28 indicts Israel for serving idols on high hills and thick trees, the very locations God commanded to be demolished.

Jeremiah 3:6 accuses Israel of committing adultery on every high hill and under green trees, directly contravening the destruction command.

2 Kings 23:13 describes Josiah destroying high places built by Solomon, fulfilling the command here to tear down such idolatrous sites.

2 Kings 17:11 reports that Israel burned incense on every high place like the nations, exactly the pagan practice this command sought to eliminate.

2 Kings 17:10 records Israel setting up pillars and Asherim on high hills and under trees, directly violating the command to destroy such sites.

2 Kings 16:4 shows King Ahaz sacrificing on high hills and under green trees—the opposite of what God commanded, a stark example of disobedience.

Exodus 23:24 commands overthrowing pagan altars and pillars, closely matching the destruction order in Deuteronomy 12:2.

Judges 2:2 Contrast

In Judges 2:2, the angel rebukes Israel for failing to tear down altars, directly contrasting the command here to destroy such places.

Numbers 33:52 gives the same command to destroy all high places and idols, reinforcing the direct instruction to purge Canaanite worship sites.

Isaiah 36:7 Historical context

Isaiah 36:7 references Hezekiah's removal of high places and altars—a later fulfillment of this command.

Exodus 34:13 gives a similar command to destroy altars, pillars, and Asherah poles—reinforcing the requirement to eliminate pagan worship sites.

Jeremiah 3:13 mentions scattering favors under every green tree, the same locations Deuteronomy 12:2 commands to destroy.

Jeremiah 2:20 accuses Israel of bowing down on every high hill and under every green tree, mirroring the forbidden sites in Deuteronomy 12:2.

Isaiah 57:5 Allusion

Isaiah 57:5 describes Israel engaging in idolatry under every green tree — exactly the places Deuteronomy 12:2 commands to destroy.

1 Kings 14:23 echoes this exact language: high places on every high hill and under every green tree, describing Judah's apostasy.

Psalm 78:58 Parallel

Psalm 78:58 summarizes Israel's sin: provoking God with their high places—the very sin condemned here.

2 Chronicles 28:4 repeats the same phrase: sacrificing on high places, hills, and under green trees, showing Ahaz's idolatry.

2 Chronicles 21:11 reports Jehoram making high places in the hills of Judah—a direct violation of this command.

2 Kings 18:4 Historical context

2 Kings 18:4 records Hezekiah's obedience: removing high places, breaking pillars, cutting down Asherah—fulfilling this command.

1 Kings 3:2 Historical context

1 Kings 3:2 shows that even before the temple, people sacrificed at high places—illustrating the ongoing practice that Deuteronomy forbids.

Jeremiah 3:2 condemns idolatry on bare heights, echoing the high places Deuteronomy 12:2 orders destroyed.

Numbers 22:41 Historical context

Numbers 22:41 names Bamoth Baal, a specific high place where Balak brought Balaam, illustrating the very kind of site Israel was told to destroy.

Ezekiel 20:29 Historical context

Ezekiel 20:29 asks why the people go to the high place called Bamah, explaining the term for the forbidden worship sites mentioned here.