Deuteronomy 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Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
Original Language Analysis
יָֽצְא֞וּ
are gone out
H3318
יָֽצְא֞וּ
are gone out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 17
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּנֵֽי
the children
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בְלִיַּ֙עַל֙
of Belial
H1100
בְלִיַּ֙עַל֙
of Belial
Strong's:
H1100
Word #:
4 of 17
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָ
from among
H7130
מִקִּרְבֶּ֔ךָ
from among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּ
you and have withdrawn
H5080
וַיַּדִּ֛יחוּ
you and have withdrawn
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
6 of 17
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֥י
the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עִירָ֖ם
of their city
H5892
עִירָ֖ם
of their city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 17
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
נֵֽלְכָ֗ה
H1980
נֵֽלְכָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
11 of 17
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְנַֽעַבְדָ֛ה
and serve
H5647
וְנַֽעַבְדָ֛ה
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
12 of 17
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
13 of 17
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
1 John 2:19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.Deuteronomy 13:2And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.2 Corinthians 6:15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?Deuteronomy 13:6If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;1 Kings 21:10And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.1 Kings 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.1 Samuel 2:12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.1 Samuel 25:17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.2 Samuel 20:1And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.
Historical Context
Israel's history shows internal corruption repeatedly exceeded external threat. Solomon's apostasy came from within; Jeroboam's golden calves seduced northern tribes; Athaliah nearly destroyed David's line; pre-exilic false prophets misled Judah. Jesus warned: 'beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing' (Matthew 7:15). Paul predicted: 'of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things' (Acts 20:30). Church history validates this—most heresies arose from within, not without. Vigilance against internal corruption is essential.
Questions for Reflection
- Why are insiders who apostatize more dangerous than external opponents of faith?
- How can churches discern and address false teaching arising from within leadership?
- What warning signs indicate when someone is becoming a 'child of Belial' leading others astray?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The corruptors: '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.' The phrase 'children of Belial' (בְּנֵי בְלִיַּעַל, bene beliya'al) means 'worthless, wicked people'—later personified as Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15, 'Belial'). These are insiders ('gone out from among you'), not external enemies—apostates who once belonged but now seduce others. The verb 'withdrawn' (nadach, נָדַח, lead astray) indicates active seduction of fellow citizens. John warns of such: 'they went out from us, but they were not of us' (1 John 2:19). Internal apostates are most dangerous—possessing insider credibility to mislead.