Deuteronomy 13:13

KJV

[Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

KJV (with Strong's)

Certain men {H582}, the children {H1121} of Belial {H1100}, are gone out {H3318} from among {H7130} you, and have withdrawn {H5080} the inhabitants {H3427} of their city {H5892}, saying {H559}, Let us go {H3212} and serve {H5647} other {H312} gods {H430}, which ye have not known {H3045};

Complete Jewish Bible

certain scoundrels have sprung up among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city by saying, 'Let's go and serve other gods, which you haven't known,'

Berean Standard Bible

that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),

American Standard Version

Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of thee, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 13:13 issues a severe warning against internal spiritual sedition, describing "certain men, the children of Belial," who emerge from within the Israelite community to actively entice and mislead the inhabitants of their city into serving "other gods" previously unknown to them. This verse underscores the insidious nature of apostasy, highlighting that the greatest threat to Israel's covenant fidelity and spiritual purity could arise not only from external pagan influences but also from corrupt individuals within their own midst, demanding vigilant discernment and unwavering allegiance to Yahweh as the one true God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 13 is strategically placed within Moses' final discourses to the new generation of Israelites, as they stand on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter functions as a critical elaboration on the first two commandments, specifically addressing the grave dangers of idolatry and apostasy, which represent direct violations of Israel's exclusive covenant with Yahweh. The chapter progresses in severity: verses 1-5 warn against false prophets who might perform signs and wonders but lead people astray; verses 6-11 address the profound temptation to idolatry from even the closest family members. Deuteronomy 13:12-18 then broadens the scope to an entire city that has been led astray, outlining the extreme measures required to purge such pervasive evil from the community. This progression demonstrates the increasing communal impact and severity of spiritual rebellion, moving from individual deception to widespread municipal apostasy, emphasizing the corporate responsibility to uphold the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land saturated with polytheistic cultures and practices, including the worship of Baal, Asherah, and various local deities, often involving abhorrent rituals like fertility rites and child sacrifice. The warnings in Deuteronomy are intensely practical, preparing the people for the spiritual warfare they would inevitably face. This specific verse addresses an internal threat, recognizing that the allure of paganism was not merely an external force but could infiltrate and corrupt from within. The concept of "city" (Hebrew: _ʿîr_) implies a settled community with established social structures, highlighting that the seduction to idolatry was not just an individual spiritual failing but a communal breakdown, threatening the very fabric of Israelite society and its unique identity as God's chosen people. The emphasis on "gods, which ye have not known" underscores the radical break from their covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had revealed Himself through their history and law.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Deuteronomy. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Exclusive Worship**, which is foundational to Israel's identity, as articulated in [the Shema](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema") and the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). Serving "other gods" was a direct betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh, who had delivered them from Egypt and established them as His own. Secondly, it highlights the **Insidious Nature of Apostasy and Spiritual Deception**. The "children of Belial" actively "withdraw" or entice the inhabitants, indicating a deliberate and persuasive effort to lead people away from the truth, rather than a passive drifting. This active seduction underscores the danger of internal corruption. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Communal Responsibility and Purity**. The threat originates "from among you," stressing that the community itself must be vigilant in rooting out internal corruption to maintain its holiness and preserve its relationship with God, for the spiritual health of the individual was inextricably linked to the spiritual health and covenant standing of the entire nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belial (Hebrew, _bᵉlîyaʻal'_):** From the root meaning "without profit" or "worthlessness," this term is not a proper name but a descriptive epithet for individuals who are utterly depraved, lawless, and morally bankrupt. It signifies a profound lack of moral or spiritual value, often translated as "scoundrel" or "villain." The phrase "children of Belial" thus denotes individuals whose very character is defined by this worthlessness and wickedness, making them agents of spiritual and social decay who disregard God's authority and the covenant.
* **Withdrawn (Hebrew, _nâdach'_):** This verb means "to drive away," "to thrust out," "to seduce," or "to entice." In the context of Deuteronomy 13:13, it signifies an active, persuasive, and deceptive effort by the "children of Belial" to lead the inhabitants of a city astray. It implies a deliberate act of spiritual seduction, where these individuals use their influence to sway others from their allegiance to Yahweh, effectively "driving them away" from the true God and towards idolatry. This highlights the dangerous and infectious nature of their apostasy, which is not merely a personal choice but an active corruption.
* **Known (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to know," encompassing a wide range of senses including observation, care, recognition, and intimate relationship. In the phrase "which ye have not known," it emphasizes that the "other gods" are alien, unproven, and fundamentally distinct from Yahweh, who has intimately revealed Himself to Israel through their history, deliverance from Egypt, and the giving of the Law. The call to serve these unknown gods is a call to forsake the intimately known, living God, highlighting the radical nature of the proposed apostasy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Certain] men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you":** This clause immediately establishes the internal origin of the threat. The apostates are not external enemies but individuals who have emerged from within the very community of Israel. Their character is defined as "children of Belial," signifying their inherent worthlessness and wickedness, making them dangerous spiritual saboteurs who undermine the covenant from within.
* **"and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city":** This part describes the active and destructive work of these wicked men. They are not merely practicing idolatry themselves but are actively seducing, enticing, and leading away the people of their own city. This highlights the communal impact of their sin, as their actions threaten to corrupt an entire population, breaking down social and spiritual cohesion centered on Yahweh.
* **"saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;":** This final clause reveals the explicit nature of their sedition. They openly advocate for a radical shift in allegiance, urging the people to abandon Yahweh and embrace foreign, unknown deities. This call to serve "other gods" is a direct and defiant rejection of the First Commandment and the very foundation of Israel's covenant relationship, demonstrating the depth of their rebellion and the clarity of their apostate agenda.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 13:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent warning. The phrase **"children of Belial"** functions as a powerful **epithet** or **labeling**, immediately characterizing the individuals as utterly wicked and worthless, thereby invoking a strong sense of condemnation and danger. This is a form of **dysphemism**, using a negative term to describe those who threaten the community's spiritual integrity. The verse also utilizes **direct speech** ("saying, Let us go and serve other gods...") to vividly portray the active and persuasive nature of the seducers, making their treacherous proposition explicit and immediate. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **warning** or **admonition**, a common rhetorical strategy in Deuteronomy, designed to instill vigilance and reinforce the severe consequences of covenant infidelity. The contrast between Yahweh, the known God, and "other gods, which ye have not known," creates a subtle **antithesis**, emphasizing the radical and dangerous nature of the proposed apostasy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 13:13 serves as a timeless theological warning against the persistent danger of spiritual deception and the critical importance of exclusive devotion to God. It underscores that the most perilous threats to faith often arise not from overt external attacks, but from subtle, internal corruptions that seek to undermine the very foundation of belief from within the community. This highlights the ongoing need for discernment, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to the revealed truth of God's Word, as the purity of the community's worship directly impacts its spiritual vitality and covenant blessings. The verse emphasizes that true allegiance to God demands not only personal faithfulness but also a communal responsibility to guard against false teachings and seductive influences that would lead others astray.

* [1 Kings 18:21](/1_kings/18-21 "1 Kings 18:21 - Elijah's Challenge on Mount Carmel")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers Among You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 13:13 resonates powerfully with believers today, serving as a stark reminder that spiritual threats are not confined to ancient history. In an age of diverse ideologies and competing truth claims, the church and individual believers must remain acutely aware of the "children of Belial" who may emerge from within, or subtly influence, Christian communities, seeking to "withdraw" people from exclusive devotion to Jesus Christ. This verse calls us to cultivate a robust biblical literacy and spiritual discernment, enabling us to test all teachings against the unchanging Word of God. It compels us to uphold sound doctrine, to lovingly but firmly confront error, and to prioritize the purity of worship and the integrity of the gospel above all else. Our ultimate allegiance must be to the Lord alone, and we are called to safeguard not only our own faith but also the spiritual well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ, ensuring that our communities remain steadfast in their devotion to the one true God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "children of Belial" manifest in contemporary society or even within Christian communities today, subtly or overtly seeking to draw people away from Christ?**
* **How can individual believers and the church as a whole cultivate greater spiritual discernment to identify and resist deceptive influences?**
* **What is our personal and communal responsibility to protect the purity of worship and doctrine in our churches, and how can we exercise this responsibility with both truth and grace?**
* **Considering the communal impact described in the verse, how does individual spiritual compromise affect the wider body of Christ?**

### FAQ
**What does "children of Belial" mean, and why is it used here?**

Answer: The phrase "children of Belial" (Hebrew: _bĕliyya‘al_) is a descriptive term, not a proper name. It literally means "worthlessness," "wickedness," or "unprofitableness." It is used to describe individuals who are utterly depraved, lawless, and morally corrupt, having no regard for God or His covenant. In Deuteronomy 13:13, it highlights the inherent wickedness and destructive nature of those who would actively lead others into apostasy. It emphasizes that these are not merely misguided individuals, but those whose character is fundamentally opposed to righteousness, making them dangerous agents of spiritual decay within the community.

**Why is the warning in Deuteronomy 13:13 so severe, leading to such drastic consequences for a city?**

Answer: The warning is severe because the sin of idolatry was considered the ultimate betrayal of Israel's covenant with Yahweh. Their national identity, prosperity, and very existence as God's chosen people were predicated on their exclusive worship of Him, as outlined in the [First Commandment](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment"). When "children of Belial" emerged from within and successfully "withdrew the inhabitants of their city" to serve "other gods," it represented a fundamental breach of this covenant. Such apostasy threatened to corrupt the entire nation, provoke God's wrath, and negate the blessings of the covenant. The drastic measures prescribed (Deuteronomy 13:15-18) were intended to purge this spiritual cancer completely, safeguarding the purity and survival of the rest of Israel.

**How does this ancient warning about internal spiritual threats apply to believers and the church in the modern era?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 13:13 provides timeless principles for spiritual vigilance. Today, "children of Belial" can represent false teachers, deceptive ideologies, or cultural pressures that subtly or overtly seek to "withdraw" believers from exclusive devotion to Jesus Christ. This applies to any teaching that undermines the authority of Scripture, denies the deity of Christ, promotes a different gospel, or encourages allegiance to anything other than God alone. Believers are called to be discerning, to "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")), and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word. The church, as a community, has a responsibility to uphold sound doctrine, to lovingly confront error, and to protect its members from spiritual deception, ensuring that its worship and allegiance remain solely with the [Lord Jesus Christ](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ's Supremacy").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 13:13, with its stern warning against "children of Belial" who lead God's people astray to serve "other gods," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of Jesus as the ultimate object of worship and the final arbiter of truth. While the Old Testament warned against false prophets and idolaters, the New Testament elevates this conflict to a spiritual battle between Christ and those who oppose Him. The "children of Belial" who sought to "withdraw" Israel from Yahweh foreshadow the spiritual deceivers and antichrists who would seek to draw believers away from Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Indeed, [2 Corinthians 6:15](/2_corinthians/6-15 "2 Corinthians 6:15 - Christ and Belial") explicitly contrasts Christ with Belial, signifying the ultimate opposition between light and darkness, righteousness and lawlessness. Jesus Himself warned His disciples to "beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" ([Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")), echoing the internal threat described in Deuteronomy. The New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, demands an even deeper and more personal exclusive allegiance to Him, for He is the [way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life"). Those who seek to lead believers away from Christ are thus engaged in the ultimate form of spiritual sedition, rejecting the very Son of God who is [the image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ's Supremacy"). The fulfillment of this passage lies in the call for believers to remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ, recognizing that He alone is worthy of worship, and to discern and reject any teaching or influence that would diminish His unique Lordship and saving power, looking forward to the day when [every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 13:2

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;

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Deuteronomy 13:6

¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

Jude 1:19

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

2 Samuel 20:1

¶ And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name [was] Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

John 8:44

Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2 Samuel 16:7

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: