Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared ... saying, How did these nations serve their gods? The Israelites, influenced by superstitious fear, too often endeavoured to propitiate the deities of Canaan. Their Egyptian education had early impressed upon their minds the bug-bear notion of a set of local deities, who expected their dues of all who came to inhabit the country which they honoured with their protection and severely resented the neglect of payment in all new comers (Warburton). Taking into consideration the prevalence of this idea among them, we see that against the seductive influences both of Egyptian and of Canaanite idolatry was directed the full force of the wholesome caution with which this chapter closes (cf. Deuteronomy 18:10; Deuteronomy 19:10; Psalms 106:38).