Deuteronomy 16:21

“You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah, any tree, beside the altar of YHWH your Elohim that you make for yourself.”

Deuteronomy 16:21 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

21

Deuteronomy 16:21, word by word

plantתִטַּעtita

plant

Plant; set firmly.

Where else “tita” appears
an Asherahאֲשֵׁרָהashera

Asherah

Asherah: a Canaanite goddess, and the pole or sacred tree that stood for her beside the altars.

Where else “ashera” appears
treeעֵץets

tree

A tall plant with trunk and branches, giving fruit, shade or timber.

Where else “ets” appears
besideאֵצֶלetsel

beside

Beside, next to.

Where else “etsel” appears
the altarמִזְבַּחmizbach

altar

Altar: a structure of stone or earth on which sacrifices are offered to God.

Where else “mizbach” appears
of YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
your Elohimאֱלֹהֶיelohe

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohe” appears
you makeתַּעֲשֶׂהtaase

make

To build or create something.

Where else “taase” appears

The context

20Righteousness, righteousness you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land that YHWH your Elohim is giving you.

21 · This verse (above)

22And you shall not set up for yourself a standing stone, which YHWH your Elohim hates.

Read all of Deuteronomy 16

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