Deuteronomy 13:1
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָק֤וּם
If there arise
H6965
יָק֤וּם
If there arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙
among
H7130
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
3 of 12
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
א֖וֹ
H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
5 of 12
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
חֹלֵ֣ם
or a dreamer
H2492
חֹלֵ֣ם
or a dreamer
Strong's:
H2492
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
וְנָתַ֥ן
and giveth
H5414
וְנָתַ֥ן
and giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
א֖וֹת
thee a sign
H226
א֖וֹת
thee a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
10 of 12
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
Cross References
1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.Isaiah 9:15The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.Jeremiah 27:9Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:1 Kings 13:18He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.Jeremiah 23:11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 6:13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.Mark 13:22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.Zechariah 10:2For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.Zechariah 13:4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
Historical Context
Egypt's magicians replicated some of Moses's miracles (Exodus 7:11-12, 22; 8:7), showing Satan can empower counterfeits. Jesus warned: 'false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect' (Mark 13:22). Paul prophesied the antichrist would come 'with all power and signs and lying wonders' (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Church history confirms this—charismatic false teachers lead many astray through supernatural phenomena. Discernment requires testing doctrine against Scripture, not just observing power.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians respond to miracle claims that contradict biblical doctrine?
- Why might God permit false prophets to perform genuine signs and wonders?
- What role do signs and wonders play in validating truth versus leading to deception?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
This chapter addresses false prophets who perform signs (ot, אוֹת) or wonders (mophet, מוֹפֵת). The Hebrew terms indicate miraculous phenomena—not necessarily tricks but possibly genuine supernatural events. The shocking reality: miracle-working doesn't authenticate divine messengers. Even false prophets may perform signs. The test isn't power but doctrine—do they 'speak to turn you away from the LORD your God' (v.5)? Miracles confirm truth but don't establish it; Scripture judges all claims. This warns against being deceived by supernatural displays lacking doctrinal fidelity.