Deuteronomy 13:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמַ֗ע
Thou shalt not hearken
H8085
תִשְׁמַ֗ע
Thou shalt not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דִּבְרֵי֙
unto the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙
unto the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
א֛וֹ
H176
א֛וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
7 of 26
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
חוֹלֵ֥ם
or that dreamer
H2492
חוֹלֵ֥ם
or that dreamer
Strong's:
H2492
Word #:
9 of 26
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
הַה֑וּא
H1931
הַה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
11 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 26
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
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָדַ֗עַת
you to know
H3045
לָדַ֗עַת
you to know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
17 of 26
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם
whether ye
H3426
הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם
whether ye
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
18 of 26
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
21 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
22 of 26
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
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
23 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
with all your heart
H3824
לְבַבְכֶ֖ם
with all your heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
24 of 26
the heart (as the most interior organ)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:2And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.1 Corinthians 11:19For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.Psalms 66:10For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.Deuteronomy 6:5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.2 Thessalonians 2:11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Historical Context
This principle applied to Jesus's generation—He performed miracles validating His claims, yet many rejected Him because they loved darkness rather than light (John 3:19). Conversely, some 'believed' superficially because of signs but lacked true faith (John 2:23-25). The standard remained: does teaching conform to Scripture? Bereans were commended for testing Paul's teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11) despite his apostolic authority and miracles. Truth trumps experience; Scripture judges claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage challenge experience-centered Christianity that prioritizes feelings and phenomena over doctrine?
- What does it mean to love God 'with all your heart and soul' rather than merely being impressed by His power?
- How can we cultivate discernment that tests teachings against Scripture regardless of accompanying signs?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command after false signs: '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.' Despite impressive signs, if the prophet teaches apostasy ('let us go after other gods,' v.2), reject him. The theological explanation: God permits this to test (nasah, נָסָה, prove/try) His people. The test measures love—do you follow God because of truth or merely because of miracles? Authentic love for God maintains loyalty despite spectacular counterfeits. This elevates covenant relationship above supernatural experience. God tests to reveal what's in hearts.