Deuteronomy 13:9

KJV

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou shalt surely {H2026} kill {H2026} him; thine hand {H3027} shall be first {H7223} upon him to put him to death {H4191}, and afterwards {H314} the hand {H3027} of all the people {H5971}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, you must kill him! Your own hand must be the first one on him in putting him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

Berean Standard Bible

Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

American Standard Version

but thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 13:9 is a powerful and stark command within the Mosaic Law, outlining the severe consequences for those who attempt to lead others astray into idolatry. It prescribes the death penalty for such an enticer, emphasizing that the accuser's hand must be first in the execution, followed by the hands of all the people. This command underscores the absolute priority of Yahweh's exclusive worship in ancient Israel and the communal responsibility to purge any spiritual corruption that threatens the covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic and most severe decree within a three-part warning in [Deuteronomy 13](/deuteronomy/13 "Deuteronomy 13 - Warnings Against Idolatry") concerning the preservation of Israel's spiritual purity. The chapter begins by addressing the threat of false prophets who might perform signs and wonders but ultimately lead the people to serve other gods ([Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - False Prophets and Their Punishment")). It then escalates to the more intimate and painful scenario of a close relative or friend—such as a "brother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul" ([Deuteronomy 13:6](/deuteronomy/13-6 "Deuteronomy 13:6 - Enticement by Close Relatives"))—secretly enticing one to worship foreign deities. Verse 9 delivers the non-negotiable punishment for such an enticer, emphasizing that even the closest familial or social bonds must yield to the supreme loyalty owed to Yahweh. This escalating series of warnings highlights the pervasive threat of idolatry and the absolute measures required to counteract it, serving as a bulwark against spiritual apostasy within the covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel existed in a polytheistic Near Eastern world, constantly exposed to the worship of various gods (e.g., Baal, Asherah, Molech) associated with fertility, war, and national prosperity. The Mosaic Law, particularly Deuteronomy, repeatedly emphasizes Israel's unique covenant with Yahweh, demanding exclusive monotheistic worship. Idolatry was not merely a religious offense but an act of treason against the divine King who had delivered them from Egypt and established them as His chosen people ([Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema and Love for God")). The communal execution prescribed here, starting with the accuser, reflects common ancient Near Eastern legal practices where the witness to a capital crime often initiated the punishment, validating their testimony and demonstrating the community's collective commitment to justice and covenant fidelity. This was a stark measure designed to preserve the nation's spiritual and social integrity in a hostile religious environment.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme is the **absolute supremacy and exclusivity of Yahweh's worship**. This is a direct echo of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). The passage also underscores **communal responsibility for covenant purity**, where the entire nation is accountable for purging evil from its midst to maintain its holy status before God ([Deuteronomy 17:7](/deuteronomy/17-7 "Deuteronomy 17:7 - Removing Evil from Israel")). The **severity of divine justice** against apostasy is another prominent theme, demonstrating that leading others astray from God was considered a capital offense, a spiritual treason against the very foundation of Israel's existence. These themes collectively reinforce the critical importance of spiritual discernment and unwavering devotion to God as the bedrock of Israel's national identity and prosperity under the covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kill (Hebrew, _mōt tāmīt'_):** This is an infinitive absolute construction, literally "dying you shall cause to die" or "you shall surely put him to death." This grammatical form intensifies the verb, emphasizing the certainty, severity, and non-negotiable nature of the command. It leaves no room for doubt or leniency; the death penalty is an absolute imperative for this specific offense.
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yād_):** While literally referring to the physical hand, "hand" here functions as a metonymy for agency or authority. "Thine hand shall be first upon him" signifies that the accuser, or the one who brought the charge and provided the evidence, was to initiate the execution. This served as a safeguard against false accusations, as the accuser had to be willing to personally participate in the judgment, thereby affirming the truthfulness and gravity of their testimony. It also underscores the direct involvement and responsibility of the individual and, subsequently, the community in upholding divine justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou shalt surely kill him;":** This initial clause delivers the unequivocal command for capital punishment. The use of the infinitive absolute ("surely kill") highlights the divine imperative and the absolute seriousness of the offense of enticing others to idolatry. It is a direct, unyielding decree from God, emphasizing that this sin is considered an act of spiritual treason against the covenant.
* **"thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death,":** This specifies the method and the initial agent of execution. The accuser or the primary witness was required to cast the first stone (or initiate the killing). This provision served multiple purposes: it validated the witness's testimony by requiring their direct involvement, acted as a deterrent against frivolous or false accusations, and underscored the personal responsibility of those who brought charges in a capital case. It was a solemn act, not to be taken lightly.
* **"and afterwards the hand of all the people.":** This final clause extends the responsibility for justice to the entire community. After the initial act by the accuser, the rest of the people were to participate in the execution. This communal involvement signified that the offense was not merely against an individual but against the entire covenant community and, ultimately, against God. It demonstrated the nation's collective commitment to purging evil from their midst, maintaining their spiritual purity, and upholding the integrity of the covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 13:9 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the absolute nature of the command "thou shalt surely kill him," which, while literal in its ancient application, emphasizes the extreme gravity of the sin of idolatry in God's eyes. The phrase "thine hand shall be first upon him" is a form of **Metonymy**, where "hand" represents the agency or active participation of the accuser/witness, underscoring their personal responsibility and the validation of their testimony. The entire verse functions as a form of **Legal Prose**, presenting a direct and unambiguous legal statute within the broader Deuteronomic code. The collective participation implied by "the hand of all the people" also serves as a powerful **Symbolism** for communal responsibility and the corporate nature of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, where the purity of the whole body is paramount.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 13:9 profoundly underscores the absolute sovereignty and exclusive claim of Yahweh over His people. The severity of the prescribed punishment for leading others to idolatry highlights that spiritual apostasy was viewed as the ultimate act of betrayal against the covenant God who had redeemed Israel. This law was not merely about retribution but about preserving the very essence of Israel's identity as a holy nation set apart for God's purposes. It reveals God's zealous jealousy for His glory and His fierce commitment to the purity of His worship, which is the foundation of true life and blessing for His people. The communal participation in the execution further emphasizes that spiritual integrity is a corporate responsibility, vital for the well-being and continued favor of the entire community.

* [Deuteronomy 17:7](/deuteronomy/17-7 "Deuteronomy 17:7 - Witnesses and Execution")
* [Zechariah 13:3](/zechariah/13-3 "Zechariah 13:3 - False Prophets Punished")
* [1 Corinthians 5:13](/1_corinthians/5-13 "1 Corinthians 5:13 - Expelling the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the literal application of capital punishment for idolatry belongs to the unique theocratic context of ancient Israel, the enduring principles of Deuteronomy 13:9 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This passage calls us to an uncompromising vigilance against anything that would usurp God's rightful place in our hearts or entice others away from Him. In a world saturated with competing loyalties and ideologies, we are challenged to examine what truly holds supremacy in our lives—is it material possessions, personal ambition, cultural trends, or the living God? The "idols" of our age may be subtle, but their power to divert our devotion is no less potent. We are also reminded of our communal responsibility to uphold biblical truth and spiritual purity within the body of Christ, not through physical coercion, but through discernment, loving accountability, and the courageous proclamation of the Gospel. The severity of this ancient law serves as a stark reminder of the profound seriousness of sin, especially that which leads others astray, and God's unwavering demand for exclusive devotion and holiness from His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "idols" in contemporary society or in my own heart might subtly compete for the exclusive devotion due to God?**
* **How can I, as an individual, and we, as a community of believers, actively guard against spiritual deception and false teachings in a way that honors God's holiness and protects the faith of others?**
* **In what ways does this passage challenge my understanding of the seriousness of sin, particularly sins that impact the spiritual well-being of others?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean Christians should execute people who lead others to other religions today?**

Answer: No, the literal application of Deuteronomy 13:9, including capital punishment for idolatry, belongs specifically to the context of ancient Israel's unique theocratic covenant. Israel was a nation under a direct divine government, with specific laws designed to maintain its distinct identity and purity amidst pagan cultures. The New Testament establishes a new covenant through Christ, where the Kingdom of God is spiritual, not a national or political entity enforcing civil laws through physical punishment. While the principle of absolute devotion to God and the seriousness of spiritual deception remain, the methods of addressing such issues in the church age are spiritual (e.g., church discipline, theological discernment, evangelism, prayer) rather than civil or punitive. The New Testament calls believers to "put to death" the deeds of the flesh ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Desires")) and to "contend earnestly for the faith" ([Jude 1:3](/jude/1-3 "Jude 1:3 - Contend for the Faith")), but not through physical violence or state-sanctioned execution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 13:9 prescribes a severe earthly judgment for spiritual treason within ancient Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual trajectory point powerfully to Christ. The law, in its uncompromising demand for exclusive devotion to Yahweh, reveals the depth of God's holiness and His utter intolerance for anything that would draw His people away from Him. This absolute standard, which no human could perfectly uphold, foreshadows the need for a perfect mediator. Jesus Christ, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the Law's demands, not by executing idolaters, but by becoming the ultimate sacrifice for all idolatry—the sin of putting anything before God. He bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against all forms of spiritual unfaithfulness, dying on the cross to "condemn sin in the flesh" ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Condemned Sin in the Flesh")). Through His atoning work, believers are freed from the condemnation of the Law and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of true, exclusive worship, where Christ alone is Lord. The New Covenant calls us to a spiritual "crucifying of the flesh with its passions and desires" ([Galatians 5:24](/galatians/5-24 "Galatians 5:24 - Crucifying the Flesh")), recognizing that the ultimate judgment for those who persistently reject Christ and lead others astray will be meted out by the righteous Judge Himself, not by human hands ([Matthew 25:41](/matthew/25-41 "Matthew 25:41 - Eternal Fire for the Wicked")). Thus, the zeal for God's exclusive worship, so vividly displayed in Deuteronomy 13:9, finds its perfect expression and redemptive solution in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

Luke 14:26

If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:37

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Acts 7:58

And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Deuteronomy 17:2

If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,

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.

John 8:7

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.