Deuteronomy Chapter 13 · Verse 2
And 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;
Original Language Analysis
וּבָ֤א
come to pass
H935
וּבָ֤א
come to pass
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָאוֹת֙
And the sign
H226
הָאוֹת֙
And the sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
2 of 15
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
וְהַמּוֹפֵ֔ת
or the wonder
H4159
וְהַמּוֹפֵ֔ת
or the wonder
Strong's:
H4159
Word #:
3 of 15
a miracle; by implication, a token or omen
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֥ר
whereof he spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר
whereof he spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
5 of 15
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
נֵֽלְכָ֞ה
H1980
נֵֽלְכָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַֽחֲרֵ֨י
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֨י
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֱלֹהִ֧ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֧ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 15
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 #:
12 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 28:9The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Deuteronomy 18:22When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.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;
Historical Context
This law protected Israel from charismatic deceivers who might use genuine supernatural phenomena to promote apostasy. Ancient Near Eastern cultures relied heavily on omens, signs, and divination. Israel's prophets sometimes performed signs (Isaiah 7:14; 1 Kings 17-18), but signs alone never established prophetic authority—agreement with Torah and promotion of Yahweh worship were essential. The New Testament applies this test: any gospel contradicting apostolic teaching is accursed, even if preached by angels (Galatians 1:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How can you discern between genuine spiritual power and counterfeit signs that lead away from biblical truth?
- What safeguards do you have against being misled by charismatic teachers whose miracles seem to validate their message?
Analysis & Commentary
And 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. The Hebrew ot (sign) and mofet (wonder) refer to miraculous attestation—yet Deuteronomy 13:1-5 warns that fulfilled predictions and supernatural signs do not automatically validate a prophet's message. A prophet whose signs come to pass but who leads toward elohim akherim (other gods) must be rejected and executed (13:5).
This sobering passage establishes that miracle-working power can coexist with false teaching. Satan can produce counterfeit signs (Exodus 7:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14). The test of true prophecy isn't merely predictive accuracy or supernatural power but conformity to previous revelation and loyalty to Yahweh. Jesus warned that false prophets would perform great signs (Matthew 24:24). The ultimate criterion is covenant fidelity—does the message lead toward God or away from Him?