Deuteronomy 13:13
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)
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The phrase "worthless fellows" points to individuals who have completely rejected God's law and societal order, signifying their utter lack of true value or purpose. This wasn't just a casual disagreement; these were dangerous instigators actively leading others away from the God they knew into the unknown worship of false deities.
This passage is part of a series of laws God gives Israel concerning what to do if anyone, even a close family member or a whole town, tries to lead them into worshipping other gods. It describes a specific scenario where wicked individuals, described as "worthless fellows," rise up within a community and persuade people to abandon the Lord and serve unknown deities. This warning sets the stage for the severe consequences God commands if such idolatry takes root and spreads.
Ever notice how quickly bad ideas can spread? This verse introduces us to some dangerous individuals who actively worked to corrupt others.
Who are the 'Children of Belial'?
The phrase 'children of Belial' is used to describe people who are utterly worthless, rebellious, and unprofitable. They've cast off the 'yoke' of God's law and refuse to submit to it. These aren't just passive individuals; they are active troublemakers.
Their Method of Corruption
These 'worthless fellows' don't just stray away; they 'have drawn away the inhabitants of their city.' This implies a deliberate and persuasive effort to lead others astray. They don't just suggest; they incite and influence, often by appealing to a desire for novelty or the unknown.
Why would people abandon the God they knew for something completely foreign? This verse highlights the deceptive allure of the unknown.
The Danger of the Unknown
The core of the temptation here is to 'go and serve other gods, which you have not known.' This isn't about worshipping gods that Israel had a history with, but entirely new, unfamiliar deities. The appeal lies in the mystery and novelty, suggesting that perhaps these unknown gods offer something more or different than the God of their fathers.
Abandoning the Covenant
This act of turning to unknown gods is a direct rejection of the covenant relationship Israel had with the LORD. They were commanded to know and serve the God who had delivered them. To seek out and worship unknown deities is to forget His works and abandon His promises, creating a dangerous void where true worship should be.
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 about God's faithfulness in providing a way out of temptation, contrasting with the Israelites in Deuteronomy 13 who were drawn away by 'worthless fellows' into serving unknown gods.
Jeremiah 2:10-13The prophet Jeremiah rebukes Israel for forsaking the true God for worthless idols, a theme directly paralleled by the 'other gods, which you have not known' in Deuteronomy 13.
Romans 1:21-23This New Testament passage describes how people, when they refuse to honor God, become futile in their thinking and worship created things instead of the Creator, echoing the spiritual folly seen in Deuteronomy 13.
2 Corinthians 6:15The stark contrast drawn between Christ and Belial (meaning worthlessness or wicked) in this verse highlights the profound spiritual danger represented by the 'children of Belial' who lead others astray in Deuteronomy 13.
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 "worthless fellows" points to individuals who have completely rejected God's law and societal order, signifying their utter lack of true value or purpose. This wasn't just a casual disagreement; these were dangerous instigators actively leading others away from the God they knew into the unknown worship of false deities.
This passage is part of a series of laws God gives Israel concerning what to do if anyone, even a close family member or a whole town, tries to lead them into worshipping other gods. It describes a specific scenario where wicked individuals, described as "worthless fellows," rise up within a community and persuade people to abandon the Lord and serve unknown deities. This warning sets the stage for the severe consequences God commands if such idolatry takes root and spreads.
This passage is part of a series of laws God gives Israel concerning what to do if anyone, even a close family member or a whole town, tries to lead them into worshipping other gods. It describes a specific scenario where wicked individuals, described as "worthless fellows," rise up within a community and persuade people to abandon the Lord and serve unknown deities. This warning sets the stage for the severe consequences God commands if such idolatry takes root and spreads.
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"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 "worthless fellows" points to individuals who have completely rejected God's law and societal order, signifying their utter lack of true value or purpose. This wasn't just a casual disagre…
