Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Worshiping Other Gods

1 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder,

2 and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,”

3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

5 That prophet or dreamer must be put to death for inciting rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. That prophet or dreamer tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 13

In this chapter the Israelites are taught how to discern a false prophet, shun and punish him, De 13:1-5, what to do with enticers to idolatry, not only not to consent to them, but, without favour and affection to them, endeavour to bring them to just punishment, and be the first that should inflict it on them, De 13:6-11 and how to behave towards a city drawn into idolatry, as to inquire the truth of it; then make war against it; destroy all in it, men, women, children, and cattle; and burn the spoil of it, and suffer not anything at all belonging to it to cleave unto them, De 13:12-18.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9
• 2. S Genesis 20:3; Jeremiah 23:25; Jeremiah 27:9; Jeremiah 29:8
• 3. Deuteronomy 18:22; 1 Samuel 2:34; 1 Samuel 10:9; 2 Kings 19:29; 2 Kings 20:9; Isaiah 7:11
• 4. ver 6,13; S Deuteronomy 11:28
• 5. 2 Peter 2:1
• 6. 1 Samuel 28:6,15
• 7. S Genesis 22:1; 1 Kings 13:18; 1 Kings 22:22-23; Jeremiah 29:31; Jeremiah 43:2; Ezekiel 13:9; 1 Corinthians 11:19; Deuteronomy 8:2,16
• 8. Deuteronomy 6:5
• 9. 2 Kings 23:3; 2 Chronicles 34:31; 2 John 1:6
• 10. S Deuteronomy 6:13; S Psalms 5:7
• 11. S Deuteronomy 10:20
• 12. S Exodus 21:12; S Exodus 22:20
• 13. ver 10; Deuteronomy 4:19
• 14. Deuteronomy 17:7,12; Deuteronomy 19:19; Deuteronomy 24:7; Judges 20:13; S 1 Corinthians 5:13