Deuteronomy 13:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and that prophet or dreamer is to be put to death; because he urged rebellion against ADONAI your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from a life of slavery; in order to seduce you away from the path ADONAI your God ordered you to follow. This is how you are to rid your community of this wickedness.

Berean Standard Bible:

Such a prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has advocated rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way in which the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. So you must purge the evil from among you.

American Standard Version:

And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he hath spoken rebellion against Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of bondage, to draw thee aside out of the way which Jehovah thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And that prophet{H5030}, or that dreamer{H2492} of dreams{H2472}, shall be put to death{H4191}; because he hath spoken{H1696} to turn{H5627} you away from the LORD{H3068} your God{H430}, which brought you out{H3318} of the land{H776} of Egypt{H4714}, and redeemed{H6299} you out of the house{H1004} of bondage{H5650}, to thrust{H5080} thee out of the way{H1870} which the LORD{H3068} thy God{H430} commanded{H6680} thee to walk in{H3212}. So shalt thou put{H1197} the evil{H7451} away{H1197} from the midst{H7130} of thee.

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Corinthians 5:13

  • But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Deuteronomy 18:20

  • But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deuteronomy 24:7

  • If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 22:21

  • Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 19:19

  • Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 17:7

  • The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

Deuteronomy 13:10

  • And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 13:5

Deuteronomy 13:5 is part of a larger section in the book of Deuteronomy that deals with the centralization of worship and the strict prohibition of idolatry and apostasy in ancient Israel. The historical context of this verse is set during the time when Moses is giving his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of sermons or addresses that Moses delivers to the Israelites, reiterating the law and covenant that God established with them.

**Themes in Deuteronomy 13:5:**

1. **Loyalty to God:** The primary theme of this verse is the demand for complete loyalty and devotion to the LORD (Yahweh), the God of Israel, who has delivered the people from slavery in Egypt. The verse emphasizes that any form of enticement to worship other gods is not only a religious offense but also a betrayal of the God who redeemed them.

2. **Rejection of False Prophets:** The verse addresses the danger of false prophets or dreamers who might lead the people away from the worship of the LORD. It prescribes the death penalty for such individuals, reflecting the seriousness with which the Israelite community was to regard the integrity of their worship and faithfulness to God.

3. **Centrality of the Law:** Deuteronomy repeatedly stresses the importance of following God's commandments as the exclusive guide for the community's life and worship. The law was seen as the path to life and prosperity in the land, and deviation from it was considered a grave threat to the community's well-being.

4. **Protection of the Community:** By removing those who would lead the people astray, the community is instructed to protect its collective faith and maintain its covenantal relationship with God. The harsh penalty serves as a deterrent against apostasy and as a means of purging evil from within the community.

**Historical Context:**

During the time of Moses, the Israelites were surrounded by polytheistic cultures, and the temptation to adopt foreign gods and practices was a constant challenge. Deuteronomy represents a theological response to this challenge, advocating for a radical commitment to the worship of the LORD alone.

The laws and instructions in Deuteronomy, including those concerning false prophets, were intended to shape the religious and social identity of the Israelites as they prepared to enter and live in the land of Canaan. The strict measures against idolatry and false prophets reflect the importance of maintaining a distinct identity and the necessity of religious purity to ensure God's continued favor and presence among His people.

In summary, Deuteronomy 13:5 underscores the gravity of maintaining religious loyalty to the LORD and the severe consequences for those who would threaten the spiritual integrity of the Israelite community by promoting the worship of other gods.

*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: H5030
    There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָבִיא
    Transliteration: nâbîyʼ
    Pronunciation: naw-bee'
    Description: from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
  2. Strong's Number: H2492
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָלַם
    Transliteration: châlam
    Pronunciation: khaw-lam'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream; (cause to) dream(-er), be in good liking, recover.
  3. Strong's Number: H2472
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֲלוֹם
    Transliteration: chălôwm
    Pronunciation: khal-ome'
    Description: or (shortened) חֲלֹם; from חָלַם; a dream; dream(-er).
  4. Strong's Number: H4191
    There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוּת
    Transliteration: mûwth
    Pronunciation: mooth
    Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
  5. 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.
  6. Strong's Number: H5627
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סָרָה
    Transliteration: çârâh
    Pronunciation: saw-raw'
    Description: from סוּר; apostasy, crime; figuratively, remission; [idiom] continual, rebellion, revolt(-ed), turn away, wrong.
  7. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  8. 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.
  9. Strong's Number: H3318
    There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָצָא
    Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
    Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
    Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
  10. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  11. Strong's Number: H4714
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
    Transliteration: Mitsrayim
    Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
    Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
  12. Strong's Number: H6299
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּדָה
    Transliteration: pâdâh
    Pronunciation: paw-daw'
    Description: a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve; [idiom] at all, deliver, [idiom] by any means, ransom, (that are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, [idiom] surely.
  13. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
  14. Strong's Number: H5650
    There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶבֶד
    Transliteration: ʻebed
    Pronunciation: eh'-bed
    Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
  15. Strong's Number: H5080
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָדַח
    Transliteration: nâdach
    Pronunciation: naw-dakh'
    Description: a primitive root; to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.); banish, bring, cast down (out), chase, compel, draw away, drive (away, out, quite), fetch a stroke, force, go away, outcast, thrust away (out), withdraw.
  16. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
  17. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.
  18. 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.
  19. Strong's Number: H1197
    There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּעַר
    Transliteration: bâʻar
    Pronunciation: baw-ar'
    Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste.
  20. Strong's Number: H7451
    There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רַע
    Transliteration: raʻ
    Pronunciation: rah
    Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
  21. Strong's Number: H7130
    There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֶרֶב
    Transliteration: qereb
    Pronunciation: keh'-reb
    Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.