Deuteronomy 7:5

But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.

Cross-references

In Deuteronomy 7:25, the same command expands to forbid taking idols' precious metals, reinforcing the total rejection of idolatry.

In Deuteronomy 9:21, Moses burns and grinds the golden calf, exemplifying the command to burn idols.

Deuteronomy 12:2 expands the command to destroy all places of pagan worship, directly paralleling the orders in Deuteronomy 7:5.

Deuteronomy 12:3 repeats nearly verbatim the command to tear down altars, pillars, Asherim, and images from Deuteronomy 7:5.

Deuteronomy 16:22 prohibits setting up pillars, complementing the command in Deuteronomy 7:5 to destroy them.

In Deuteronomy 20:18, the rationale is given: to prevent learning their abominations and sinning against the Lord.

Exodus 23:24 commands breaking pillars of pagan gods, mirroring the destruction required in Deuteronomy 7:5.

2 Kings 23:6–14 Historical context

2 Kings 23:6-14 records Josiah destroying altars and Asherim, fulfilling the command in Deuteronomy 7:5.

Judges 6:26 Allusion

In Judges 6:26, Gideon cuts down the Asherah pole and builds an altar, obeying this command to destroy pagan objects.

Judges 6:25 Allusion

Judges 6:25 shows Gideon obeying the command to tear down Baal's altar and Asherah, directly applying Deuteronomy 7:5.

Leviticus 26:1 prohibits making idols and pillars, aligning with Deuteronomy 7:5's demand to destroy such objects.

Exodus 34:13 instructs tearing down altars and cutting down Asherim, echoing Deuteronomy 7:5's command.

In Exodus 32:20, Moses burns the golden calf, the same event later recounted in Deuteronomy 9:21.

In 2 Chronicles 33:22, Amon violates this command by sacrificing to the carved images his father made.

In 2 Chronicles 31:1, all Israel collectively obeys this command by breaking pillars, cutting down Asherim, and removing high places.

In 2 Chronicles 25:14, Amaziah does the opposite: he brings back the gods of Seir and worships them instead of destroying idols.

In 2 Chronicles 15:16, Asa burns Maacah's Asherah idol, a specific instance of the command to burn carved images.

In 2 Chronicles 14:3, Asa follows this command by removing altars, breaking pillars, and cutting down Asherim.

In 2 Chronicles 34:4, Josiah obeys this command by breaking altars, cutting down Asherim, and grinding incense altars to powder.

In 1 Chronicles 14:12, David carries out this command by burning the Philistine idols with fire.

In 2 Kings 23:14, Josiah obeys this command by breaking pillars and cutting down Asherim, filling their sites with bones.

In 2 Kings 18:4, Hezekiah fulfills this command by breaking pillars, cutting down Asherim, and even destroying the bronze serpent.

In 2 Kings 13:6, Israel kept the Asherah in Samaria, directly disobeying this command to destroy it.

In 2 Kings 10:27, Jehu destroys Baal's temple and pillars, fulfilling the command to demolish altars and pillars.

In 1 Kings 15:13, King Asa cuts down and burns his mother's Asherah image, directly obeying this command.

In 2 Samuel 5:21, David's men remove Philistine idols, an act consistent with this command to destroy pagan objects.

In Genesis 35:4, Jacob buries foreign gods, a different method than the burning commanded here, but still removing idols.