Deuteronomy 18:22

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that [is] the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, [but] the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

When a prophet {H5030} speaketh {H1696} in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}, if the thing {H1697} follow not, nor come to pass {H935}, that is the thing {H1697} which the LORD {H3068} hath not spoken {H1696}, but the prophet {H5030} hath spoken {H1696} it presumptuously {H2087}: thou shalt not be afraid {H1481} of him.

When a prophet speaks in the name of ADONAI, and the prediction does not come true -that is, the word is not fulfilled -then ADONAI did not speak that word. The prophet who said it spoke presumptuously; you have nothing to fear from him.

When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:22 serves as a critical instruction for ancient Israel, providing a clear and infallible test to distinguish a true prophet of the Lord from a false one. This verse emphasizes that the fulfillment of a prophecy is the ultimate indicator of its divine origin.

Context

This verse concludes a significant passage in Deuteronomy 18 where Moses warns the Israelites against adopting the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, such as divination, sorcery, and necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). In contrast to these forbidden practices, God promises to raise up a true prophet from among them, like Moses himself (Deuteronomy 18:15, Deuteronomy 18:18). The consequence for a prophet who presumes to speak in God's name without being sent is severe (Deuteronomy 18:20). Deuteronomy 18:22 then provides the practical means by which the people could verify the authenticity of any prophetic claim.

Key Themes

  • The Test of Fulfillment: The primary theme is that a true prophecy from God will always come to pass. If a prediction made in the Lord's name fails, it unequivocally proves the speaker is not from God.
  • Divine Authority vs. Human Presumption: The verse highlights the stark difference between words genuinely spoken by the LORD and those spoken "presumptuously" by a human. True prophecy flows from God's sovereign will and knowledge, while false prophecy originates from human arrogance, deceit, or self-delusion.
  • Discernment and Fearlessness: Israel was commanded not to be afraid of false prophets. This encourages spiritual discernment and courage, assuring believers that they do not need to fear those who falsely claim divine authority once their deception is exposed. This principle of testing all things is echoed in the New Testament (1 Thessalonians 5:21, 1 John 4:1).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated as "presumptuously" is b'zadon (ื‘ึผึฐื–ึธื“ื•ึนืŸ), which carries a strong connotation of arrogance, insolence, or deliberate rebellion. It implies speaking out of pride and a lack of respect for God's authority, rather than merely making an honest mistake. This isn't just an error in judgment but an act of defiance against the divine prerogative to speak for God.

Practical Application

In an age where many claim to speak on behalf of God, Deuteronomy 18:22 offers timeless guidance. While not all contemporary "prophetic" words are predictions of future events, the principle of verification remains vital. For direct predictions, their fulfillment is the ultimate test. For other forms of claimed divine revelation, the following apply:

  • Alignment with Scripture: True divine revelation will always align with the established Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Any message that contradicts biblical truth is not from God.
  • Character of the Speaker: While not the primary test, a prophet's life and character should reflect the fruit of the Spirit, not deception or manipulation (Matthew 7:15-20).
  • Absence of Fear: Believers are encouraged to exercise discernment and not be intimidated by those who make grand claims without divine backing. God gives us the tools to discern truth from error.

This verse continues to be a cornerstone for understanding and evaluating prophetic claims, urging caution and reliance on God's verifiable truth.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 18:20 (11 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Kings 20:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

  • Jeremiah 28:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which [was] of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

  • Jeremiah 28:17 (4 votes)

    So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

  • Jonah 4:2 (3 votes)

    And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, [was] not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou [art] a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

  • Zechariah 1:5 (3 votes)

    Your fathers, where [are] they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?

  • Zechariah 1:6 (3 votes)

    But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.