Text: Deuteronomy 13:15-17
OT Text Referred to: Exodus 22:20
Subject: herem ban for idolatry
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): None
Significance: Exodus 22:20 prescribes that "whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD alone must be devoted to destruction" (יָחֳרָם, yocharam, from חֵרֶם, cherem). Deuteronomy 13:15-17 develops this into a comprehensive procedure for dealing with an entire city that has been led into idolatry: the inhabitants must be put to the sword, the city and all its spoil burned as a whole burnt offering (כָּלִיל, kalil) to the LORD, and the site never rebuilt. The progression from individual execution (Exodus) to total civic destruction (Deuteronomy) reflects the severity of corporate apostasy—when an entire community turns to other gods, the חֵרֶם ban extends to the city itself, preventing contamination of surrounding communities.