Deuteronomy 13:5
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This isn't just about a bad prediction; it’s about seduction. The punishment is reserved for those who "spoken to turn you away," revealing that the core of the offense is a deliberate, persuasive attempt to lure people off the path God established. This emphasis on intentional corruption, rather than just error, highlights how deeply God cares about the integrity of His people's worship and obedience.
But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is giving Israel instructions on how to handle false prophets, those who claim to speak for Him but lead people away from His commands. If such a person, even if they perform miracles, tries to turn Israel from the LORD who rescued them from slavery, they are to be executed, purging this dangerous influence from their community.
Imagine a king so beloved and powerful that betraying him is the ultimate crime. In Deuteronomy, God establishes that this is precisely how He views rebellion from His people.
This verse lays out a severe penalty for a specific offense: a prophet or dreamer leading people away from God.
When a destructive force enters a community, swift action is needed to protect the whole. Deuteronomy prescribes a drastic measure to safeguard the people's spiritual health.
The consequence for leading people astray is stark: "So you shall purge the evil from your midst."
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Understand the original words
pādâ · Hebrew Verb
An act of deliverance, specifically through the payment of a price, to free someone from slavery, debt, or bondage.
sārâ · Hebrew Noun
The act of inciting or leading others into apostasy or active disobedience against the authority and commands of God.
bā‘ar · Hebrew Verb
The process of cleansing or removing moral or spiritual corruption from the community to maintain holiness before God.
This passage echoes the gravity of Deuteronomy 13 by stating that even an angel from heaven preaching a different gospel should be accursed, highlighting that the core message of God's truth is paramount and deviations, even from seemingly divine messengers, are to be rejected.
1 John 4:1This verse provides a crucial filter for discerning spirits, urging believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God. This aligns with Deuteronomy's command to test prophets, emphasizing that the source of the message, not just its presentation, determines its legitimacy.
Jeremiah 23:21Here, the prophet condemns those who run and speak prophecies they have not been sent by God to deliver. This directly relates to Deuteronomy 13, as it addresses the danger of self-proclaimed prophets who mislead the people, rather than speaking God's true word.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. This connects to Deuteronomy by illustrating the deceptive nature of false prophets and the need for discernment, as their outward appearance or signs can mask their true destructive intent.
pooleDeuteronomy 13:5: "And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee."
He hath spoken, i.e. taught or persuaded you. To turn you away from the Lord; to forsake God and his worship. He shows th…
calvinDeuteronomy 13:5: "And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee."
- And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the L…
This isn't just about a bad prediction; it’s about seduction. The punishment is reserved for those who "spoken to turn you away," revealing that the core of the offense is a deliberate, persuasive attempt to lure people off the path God established. This emphasis on intentional corruption, rather than just error, highlights how deeply God cares about the integrity of His people's worship and obedience.
God is giving Israel instructions on how to handle false prophets, those who claim to speak for Him but lead people away from His commands. If such a person, even if they perform miracles, tries to turn Israel from the LORD who rescued them from slavery, they are to be executed, purging this dangerous influence from their community.
God is giving Israel instructions on how to handle false prophets, those who claim to speak for Him but lead people away from His commands. If such a person, even if they perform miracles, tries to turn Israel from the LORD who rescued them from slavery, they are to be executed, purging this dangerous influence from their community.
"But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way i…" — This isn't just about a bad prediction; it’s about seduction. The punishment is reserved for those who "spoken to turn you away," revealing that the core of the offense is a deliberate, persuasive at…
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Last reviewed October 2026
