Deuteronomy 13:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁמַ֗ע

H8085

Thou shalt not hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דִּבְרֵי֙

H1697

unto the words

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַנָּבִ֣יא

H5030

of that prophet

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַה֔וּא

H1931

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

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חוֹלֵ֥ם

H2492

or that dreamer

properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

#10

הַֽחֲל֖וֹם

H2472

of dreams

a dream

#11

הַה֑וּא

H1931

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

#12

כִּ֣י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#13

מְנַסֶּ֞ה

H5254

proveth

to test; by implication, to attempt

#14

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

for the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם

H430

your God

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

#16

אֶתְכֶ֔ם

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#17

לָדַ֗עַת

H3045

you to know

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#18

הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם

H3426

whether ye

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

#19

אֹֽהֲבִים֙

H157

love

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

#20

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#21

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

for the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#22

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם

H430

your God

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

#23

בְּכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#24

לְבַבְכֶ֖ם

H3824

with all your heart

the heart (as the most interior organ)

#25

וּבְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#26

נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃

H5315

and with all your soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing love fundamental to theology proper, revealing God's essential nature and character and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes love in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on love address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Deuteronomy chapter 13 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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Deuteronomy 13:3

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

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Study Resources