Deuteronomy 13:4
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The verse lists six distinct actions: walking after God, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, obeying His voice, serving Him, and cleaving to Him. This isn't just a list of duties, but a progressive deepening of commitment, moving from outward actions to an inner devotion that binds one's very being to God.
You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this verse, God warns the Israelites about false prophets who might appear from within their own community, even performing signs or wonders to lead people astray. This passage is a direct instruction to the people on how to remain faithful to God amidst such dangerous deceptions. It emphasizes that their response to these temptations is a test of their devotion and a demonstration of whether they truly love and adhere to God's commands.
What does it really mean to follow God? This verse lays out a powerful, multi-faceted picture. It's more than just belief; it's a way of life.
Deuteronomy 13:4 isn't just a suggestion; it's a blueprint for a life lived in devotion to God. It outlines five essential actions:
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Why does this verse come right after a warning about false prophets? Because true devotion isn't just about what you believe, but how you respond when your faith is challenged.
The context of Deuteronomy 13:4 is crucial. Moses has just warned Israel about false prophets who might perform signs and wonders, even leading people astray with seemingly good intentions. This verse provides the antidote and the test for genuine faith:
God Proves Our Hearts
God allows these tests, not because He doesn't know our hearts, but to reveal to us the depth of our commitment. Are we following God because it's easy, or because He is God?
The Danger of Deception
False teachers, whether ancient prophets or modern voices, can look convincing. They might offer signs, new revelations, or popular ideas. The temptation is to be swayed by the spectacle or the popularity, forgetting the foundational truths.
The Unwavering Standard
This verse calls us back to the core: walking with the LORD, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, and obeying His voice. This isn't about blindly following any leader, but about an unwavering adherence to God Himself and His established Word. True loyalty means sticking with God, even when presented with appealing alternatives.
Understand the original words
yārē’ · Hebrew Verb
A reverential awe, holy respect, and humble submission before the holiness and authority of God.
This verse echoes the call to seek God wholeheartedly, emphasizing that true seeking leads to finding Him, a deep connection that complements the command in Deuteronomy to 'hold fast to Him'.
Matthew 4:10Jesus quotes this very passage in Deuteronomy when confronting Satan's temptation, highlighting that allegiance, service, and worship belong to the Lord alone, reinforcing the exclusive devotion commanded here.
Colossians 2:6-7This New Testament passage parallels the command to 'walk in Him' and 'be rooted and built up in Him,' showing how the ancient call to follow and hold fast to God is fulfilled in Christ for believers.
Joshua 22:5This verse speaks of loving the LORD, walking in His ways, keeping His commandments, and holding fast to Him, demonstrating the consistent theme of unwavering devotion to God throughout Israel's history.
1 Thessalonians 5:21The exhortation to 'test all things' and 'hold fast what is good' in this New Testament verse provides a framework for discerning truth, which is essential for obeying the command in Deuteronomy to hold fast to God and His voice.
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…
gillDeuteronomy 13:4: "Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."
Ye shall walk after the Lord your God,.... As he has directed, according to the laws and rules which he has given, both with respect to their moral and civil conduct, and their religious worship of him; and so the Targum of Jonathan,"ye shall walk after the worship of the Lord your God:" and fear him, and keep his commandments; fear…
The verse lists six distinct actions: walking after God, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, obeying His voice, serving Him, and cleaving to Him. This isn't just a list of duties, but a progressive deepening of commitment, moving from outward actions to an inner devotion that binds one's very being to God.
Just before this verse, God warns the Israelites about false prophets who might appear from within their own community, even performing signs or wonders to lead people astray. This passage is a direct instruction to the people on how to remain faithful to God amidst such dangerous deceptions. It emphasizes that their response to these temptations is a test of their devotion and a demonstration of whether they truly love and adhere to God's commands.
Just before this verse, God warns the Israelites about false prophets who might appear from within their own community, even performing signs or wonders to lead people astray. This passage is a direct instruction to the people on how to remain faithful to God amidst such dangerous deceptions. It emphasizes that their response to these temptations is a test of their devotion and a demonstration of whether they truly love and adhere to God's commands.
"You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him." — The verse lists six distinct actions: walking after God, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, obeying His voice, serving Him, and cleaving to Him. This isn't just a list of duties, but a progress…
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Last reviewed October 2026
