Deuteronomy 13:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Complete Jewish Bible:

and the sign or wonder comes about as he predicted when he said, 'Let's follow other gods, which you have not known; and let us serve them,'

Berean Standard Bible:

and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,”

American Standard Version:

and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the sign^{H226} or the wonder^{H4159} come to pass^{H935}, whereof he spake^{H1696} unto thee, saying^{H559}, Let us go^{H3212} after^{H310} other^{H312} gods^{H430}, which thou hast not known^{H3045}, and let us serve^{H5647} them;

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 13:2

Deuteronomy 13:2 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the importance of loyalty to God and the dangers of idolatry. The historical context of this verse is the period just before the Israelites were to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. Moses is giving his final speeches to the people, reiterating the law and urging them to remain faithful to God.

The themes of Deuteronomy 13:2 include:

1. **Testing Prophets and Signs**: The verse addresses the scenario where a prophet or a dreamer of dreams performs a sign or wonder to prove their divine authority. The Israelites are warned not to be swayed by miraculous events alone, as these could be used to test their faithfulness to God.

2. **Avoidance of Idolatry**: The primary concern is that the sign or wonder might be used to lead the people astray into serving other gods, which would be a direct violation of the first two commandments. The Israelites are reminded that they must not follow or worship any deity other than Yahweh, the God who brought them out of Egypt.

3. **Divine Authority**: The verse underscores the idea that true divine authority is not solely validated by miracles but must be consistent with the revealed will and commands of God as given through Moses.

4. **Covenant Faithfulness**: This passage emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The people are called to demonstrate their loyalty to God by adhering to the covenant stipulations, which include exclusive worship of Yahweh.

In summary, Deuteronomy 13:2 is a warning against false prophets and the lure of idolatry, emphasizing the need for discernment and faithfulness to the covenant with God, who demands exclusive worship and devotion. This command was crucial in the ancient Near Eastern context, where many nations worshipped a pantheon of gods, and it remained a challenge for Israel throughout its history.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H226
   There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹת
   Transliteration: ʼôwth
   Pronunciation: oth
   Description: probably from אוּת (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.; mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4159
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹפֵת
   Transliteration: môwphêth
   Pronunciation: mo-faith'
   Description: or מֹפֵת; from יָפָה in the sense of conspicuousness; a miracle; by implication, a token or omen; miracle, sign, wonder(-ed at).
   
3. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
7. Strong's Number: H310
   There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחַר
   Transliteration: ʼachar
   Pronunciation: akh-ar'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.
   
8. Strong's Number: H312
   There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַחֵר
   Transliteration: ʼachêr
   Pronunciation: akh-air'
   Description: from אָחַר; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.; (an-) other man, following, next, strange.
   
9. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3045
    There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָדַע
    Transliteration: yâdaʻ
    Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
    Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
    
11. Strong's Number: H5647
    There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָבַד
    Transliteration: ʻâbad
    Pronunciation: aw-bad'
    Description: a primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.; [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper,