Definition: Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 12:31. It's a really important part of understanding God’s relationship with Israel and what’s coming ahead. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse is saying that we shouldn't worship anything other than God. It’s warning against making anything abomination – something that God considers bad or offensive – to any god, even if it seems good or impressive to us. Let’s unpack it further: “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God…” This is a direct command from God. He's telling us specifically what we are prohibited from doing. "...for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods..." This is the key part. "Abomination" means something that is considered wrong or evil by God. The verse lists specific examples of things people have done that are seen as sinful and disrespectful: Burning sacrifices: They’ve been burning sacrifices to other gods. Making idols: They've created false idols – things that look like gods, but aren’t really God. "...for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods." This shows how serious this is. The verse points out that these actions weren't just small or infrequent; they were widespread and involved children. This emphasizes the impact of these practices on God’s relationship with him. What does it mean for us today? The message of Deuteronomy 12:31 is a reminder to: Stay true to our faith: It encourages us to remain devoted to God and his commandments. Don't stray from the path: It warns against idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. Be mindful of what we do: It’s a call to be careful not to make any actions that could offend or disrespect God. In short, it’s a warning about prioritizing God above all else. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a warning against any form of idolatry – worshiping anything other than the one true God. It's a significant part of Israel’s history and continues to have relevance for Christians today, reminding us of the importance of worshipping God alone. --- Would you like me to: Explain a specific example of what "abomination" means? Discuss how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible (like the Old Testament)?