Deuteronomy 7:26You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.
The setting
Moab plains, eastern Jordan, ~1406 BC. Moses continues his final warnings about entering the Promised Land (modern-day Israel/Palestine)...
The emotion here: desperate urgency, like warning someone about contaminated food
The original word
cherem (חרם) — devoted to destruction, under God's ban
Why it matters
Items marked 'cherem' became radioactive spiritually — even touching them brought judgment
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 7:26
The repetition 'utterly detest... utterly abhor' — Moses uses the strongest Hebrew words for revulsion
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about physical objects, but Moses is establishing the principle that our homes reflect our hearts. What we welcome in shapes who we become.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 7:26
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 7:26 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 7:26 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include holiness, separation. Notable phrases: not bring abomination; utterly detest. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 7:26 mean to you, today?
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