Deuteronomy 18:21

21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?”

Deuteronomy 18:21 in Other Translations

21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

21 And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'--

21 “But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD ?’

21 You may be wondering among yourselves, "How can we tell the difference, whether it was God who spoke or not?" Here's how:

21 And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken?

21 You may be wondering, "How can we recognize that the LORD didn't speak this message?"

21 You may say to yourself, 'How can we recognize a message the Lord has not spoken?'

21 You will say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message hasn't been spoken by the Lord?"

Deuteronomy 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:21

And if thou say in thine heart,
&c] Such a thought arises in the mind, and it appears to be a difficulty, and a query is made upon it,

how shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
What marks, signs, and criterions are those by which it may be known that it is not a word that comes from the Lord?

Deuteronomy 18:21 In-Context

19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.

20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”

21 You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?”

22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.