Deuteronomy 13:13
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The phrase "children of Belial" points to more than just "bad guys"; it describes individuals who are utterly worthless, lacking any positive value or restraint, and prone to causing destruction. These aren't just ordinary sinners, but active agents of chaos who have "gone out" from the community, deliberately separating themselves to lead others astray.
that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes a scenario where some individuals, characterized as worthless and rebellious, have actively led their entire city away from worshipping the Lord. They've enticed the people to turn to foreign gods, urging them to abandon the God of Israel and embrace the worship of deities they've never known. This situation sets the stage for God's severe judgment against the city and its inhabitants for this act of collective idolatry.
Ever felt like some people just drag you down? The Bible has a specific word for those who lead others into destructive paths.
The verse calls the instigators of idolatry 'worthless fellows.' This isn't just a mild insult; it's a deep description of their character and impact.
'Children of Belial'
Their Method
Why would anyone abandon the God they know for something completely unknown? This verse reveals a subtle but powerful lure.
The ultimate goal of these 'worthless fellows' is to lead people to serve 'other gods, which you have not known.' This highlights a critical danger in our spiritual lives: the allure of the unfamiliar and the unknown.
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The Appeal of Novelty
Why 'Unknown' Matters
Understand the original words
beliya'al · Hebrew Noun Phrase
Literally 'sons of Belial' (worthlessness); used to describe wicked, lawless, or base individuals who lead others away from the truth.
This passage speaks to the faithfulness of God in providing a way of escape from temptation, directly contrasting with the lure of 'other gods' mentioned in Deuteronomy, emphasizing that God's provisions are always trustworthy.
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua challenges the Israelites to choose whom they will serve, echoing the choice between the Lord and 'other gods' presented in Deuteronomy, highlighting the ongoing tension between loyalty to God and the allure of foreign deities.
Jeremiah 2:10-13The prophet decries the people's unfaithfulness, accusing them of abandoning the Lord for idols that cannot save, mirroring the 'worthless fellows' in Deuteronomy who lead others astray to serve gods that have no power.
Romans 1:23This verse describes people exchanging the truth of God for a lie and worshipping created things, which directly parallels the act of 'serving other gods' described in Deuteronomy as a departure from true worship.
Nehemiah 9:16The prayer in Nehemiah recounts Israel's rebellion and stubbornness, referring to them serving 'the host of heaven' and turning their backs on God, which is a historical echo of the sin of idolatry and serving unknown gods that Deuteronomy warns against.
gillDeuteronomy 13:13: "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;"
Certain men, the children of Belial,.... Which signify either persons without a yoke, who have thrown off the yoke of God's law, and will not submit to it, or unprofitable ones, as wicked men be, both to God, themselves, and others: are gone out from among you; not locally, but with respect to th…
calvinDeuteronomy 13:12-17: "If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,"
And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.
Atque omnia spolia ejus congregabis in medio plateae ejus, et combures igni urbem ipsam et omnia spolia ejus prorsus Jeh…
The phrase "children of Belial" points to more than just "bad guys"; it describes individuals who are utterly worthless, lacking any positive value or restraint, and prone to causing destruction. These aren't just ordinary sinners, but active agents of chaos who have "gone out" from the community, deliberately separating themselves to lead others astray.
This passage describes a scenario where some individuals, characterized as worthless and rebellious, have actively led their entire city away from worshipping the Lord. They've enticed the people to turn to foreign gods, urging them to abandon the God of Israel and embrace the worship of deities they've never known. This situation sets the stage for God's severe judgment against the city and its inhabitants for this act of collective idolatry.
This passage describes a scenario where some individuals, characterized as worthless and rebellious, have actively led their entire city away from worshipping the Lord. They've enticed the people to turn to foreign gods, urging them to abandon the God of Israel and embrace the worship of deities they've never known. This situation sets the stage for God's severe judgment against the city and its inhabitants for this act of collective idolatry.
"that certain worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known," — The phrase "children of Belial" points to more than just "bad guys"; it describes individuals who are utterly worthless, lacking any positive value or restraint, and prone to causing destruction. The…
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Last reviewed October 2026
