Deuteronomy 13:3
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The verse reveals that a "sign or a wonder" from a false prophet isn't just a trick to mislead you; it's a deliberate test from God to expose the true depth of your devotion. It highlights that the ultimate measure isn't whether you believe in the miracle, but whether your love for God remains steadfast despite the temptation to follow something seemingly extraordinary.
you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The passage begins with a stark warning: if anyone, even a recognized prophet or someone claiming divine dreams, appears and performs signs or wonders to lead people astray, they are not to be listened to. This instruction is given because God is actively testing the people's faithfulness to Him. The verses immediately following this warning will explain how to discern true prophecy from false and what actions to take against those who lead others to worship other gods.
What if someone performing incredible feats tried to lead you astray? This verse gives us a crucial warning about signs and wonders.
Moses warns the Israelites not to listen to a prophet or dreamer of dreams, even if they perform a sign or wonder. The key here is that outward demonstrations, even miraculous ones, aren't the ultimate test of truth.
Why would God allow false prophets to test His people? It reveals a profound truth about the nature of our devotion.
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The core reason given for encountering these deceptive figures is that 'the LORD your God is testing you.' This isn't about God discovering something new about us; He already knows our hearts. Instead, it's about revealing and confirming the state of our love for Him.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, who entered into a covenant relationship with His people and is the only true object of worship.
nāsâ · Hebrew Verb
A trial or examination used by God to prove the genuineness of a person's faith, character, or obedience.
lēbāb · Hebrew Noun
A devoted commitment of the whole person to God, characterized by affection, loyalty, and an undivided will.
nep̱eš · Hebrew Noun
The inner life of a person, representing the seat of desires, emotions, and the vital spark of life itself.
This passage explains that divisions and differing beliefs must arise so that those who are genuine in their faith become evident, mirroring how Deuteronomy 13 suggests false prophets test the people's true devotion to God.
Matthew 24:24Jesus warns that false Christs and false prophets will perform signs and wonders to deceive, even the elect, which directly parallels the warning in Deuteronomy 13 about not listening to such individuals, regardless of their signs.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-11This passage describes God sending a powerful delusion to those who reject the truth, which helps explain the purpose behind allowing false prophets and their signs to emerge as a test for the people's love for God.
Galatians 1:8Paul emphasizes that even an angel bringing a different gospel should be condemned, reinforcing the principle in Deuteronomy 13 that teachings contrary to God's established word, even if accompanied by signs, must be rejected.
calvinDeuteronomy 13:1-4: "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,"
Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.
Non obedies verbis prophetae illius, aut somnium somniantis: quia tentat vos Jehova Deus rester, ut sciat an diligatis Jehovam Deum vestrum toto corde vestro, et tota ani…
clarkeDeuteronomy 13:3: "Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."
The Lord your God proveth you - God permits such impostors to arise to try the faith of his followers, and to put their religious experience to the test; for he who experimentally knows God cannot be drawn away after idols. He who has no experimental knowledge of God, may bel…
The verse reveals that a "sign or a wonder" from a false prophet isn't just a trick to mislead you; it's a deliberate test from God to expose the true depth of your devotion. It highlights that the ultimate measure isn't whether you believe in the miracle, but whether your love for God remains steadfast despite the temptation to follow something seemingly extraordinary.
The passage begins with a stark warning: if anyone, even a recognized prophet or someone claiming divine dreams, appears and performs signs or wonders to lead people astray, they are not to be listened to. This instruction is given because God is actively testing the people's faithfulness to Him. The verses immediately following this warning will explain how to discern true prophecy from false and what actions to take against those who lead others to worship other gods.
The passage begins with a stark warning: if anyone, even a recognized prophet or someone claiming divine dreams, appears and performs signs or wonders to lead people astray, they are not to be listened to. This instruction is given because God is actively testing the people's faithfulness to Him. The verses immediately following this warning will explain how to discern true prophecy from false and what actions to take against those who lead others to worship other gods.
"you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." — The verse reveals that a "sign or a wonder" from a false prophet isn't just a trick to mislead you; it's a deliberate test from God to expose the true depth of your devotion. It highlights that the u…
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Last reviewed October 2026
