translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: DEU

label: NET study note

text: Every leafy tree . This expression refers to evergreens which, because they keep their foliage throughout the year, provided apt symbolism for nature cults such as those practiced in Canaan. The deity particularly in view is Asherah, wife of the great god El, who was considered the goddess of fertility and whose worship frequently took place at shrines near or among clusters (groves) of such trees (see also Deut 7:5 ). See J. Hadley, NIDOTTE 1:569-70; J. DeMoor, TDOT 1:438-44.


text: Sacred pillars . These are the stelae (stone pillars; the Hebrew term is מַצֵּבֹת , matsevot ) associated with Baal worship, perhaps to mark a spot hallowed by an alleged visitation of the gods. See also Deut 7:5 .


text: Sacred Asherah poles . The Hebrew term (plural) is אֲשֵׁרִים (’ asherim ). See note on the word “(leafy) tree” in v. 2 , and also Deut 7:5 .


text: They have no allotment or inheritance with you . See note on the word “inheritance” in Deut 10:9 .


text: This injunction to worship in a single and central sanctuary – one limited and appropriate to the thrice-annual festival celebrations (see Exod 23:14-17; 34:22-24 ; Lev 23:4-36 ; Deut 16:16-17 ) – marks a departure from previous times when worship was carried out at local shrines (cf. Gen 8:20; 12:7; 13:18; 22:9; 26:25; 35:1, 3, 7 ; Exod 17:15 ). Apart from the corporate worship of the whole theocratic community, however, worship at local altars would still be permitted as in the past ( Deut 16:21 ; Judg 6:24-27; 13:19-20 ; 1 Sam 7:17; 10:5, 13 ; 2 Sam 24:18-25 ; 1 Kgs 18:30 ).


text: The blood is life itself . This is a figure of speech (metonymy) in which the cause or means (the blood) stands for the result or effect (life). That is, life depends upon the existence and circulation of blood, a truth known empirically but not scientifically tested and proved until the 17th century a.d. (cf. Lev 17:11 ).


text: These other sacrifices would be so-called peace or fellowship offerings whose ritual required a different use of the blood from that of burnt (sin and trespass) offerings (cf. Lev 3; 7:11-14, 19-21 ).


text: Beginning with 12:32 , the verse numbers through 13:18 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text ( BHS ), with 12:32 ET = 13:1 HT, 13:1 ET = 13:2 HT, 13:2 ET = 13:3 HT, etc., through 13:18 ET = 13:19 HT. With 14:1 the verse numbers in the ET and HT are again the same.


text: Do not add to it or subtract from it . This prohibition makes at least two profound theological points: (1) This work by Moses is of divine origination (i.e., it is inspired) and therefore can tolerate no human alteration; and (2) the work is complete as it stands (i.e., it is canonical).