Deuteronomy Chapter 13 · Verse 8
Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹאבֶ֣ה
Thou shalt not consent
H14
תֹאבֶ֣ה
Thou shalt not consent
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
2 of 15
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשְׁמַ֖ע
unto him nor hearken
H8085
תִשְׁמַ֖ע
unto him nor hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 15
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָח֤וֹס
pity
H2347
תָח֤וֹס
pity
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
עֵֽינְךָ֙
unto him neither shall thine eye
H5869
עֵֽינְךָ֙
unto him neither shall thine eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַחְמֹ֥ל
him neither shalt thou spare
H2550
תַחְמֹ֥ל
him neither shalt thou spare
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
12 of 15
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Proverbs 1:10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.Deuteronomy 19:13Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.Deuteronomy 7:16And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.
Historical Context
This law created radical covenant community where spiritual fidelity superseded family loyalty. New Testament parallels: Jesus said He came 'to set a man at variance against his father' (Matthew 10:34-36) when faith divides families. Early Christians faced this—parents disowned believing children, children reported Christian parents to authorities. The first commandment's exclusivity makes covenant loyalty ultimate, relativizing all other bonds. This doesn't mean hating family but prioritizing God above all.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we love family members in practical ways while refusing to enable or conceal their sin?
- What is the difference between appropriate family loyalty and sinful enablement of apostasy?
- How does understanding that God's glory matters most help navigate conflicts between faith and family?
Analysis & Commentary
The command: 'Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him.' This forbids complicity at every level: don't consent (agree), don't listen (entertain), don't pity (feel sympathy), don't spare (protect from consequences), don't conceal (hide the crime). The comprehensive prohibition prevents emotional attachment from overriding covenant duty. Even natural affection for family must not prevent reporting apostasy. This extreme demand underscores idolatry's gravity—it's spiritual treason meriting death. Love for God must exceed all human loves.