Deuteronomy Chapter 13 · Verse 9
But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְיַ֥ד
him thine hand
H3027
וְיַ֥ד
him thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
תִּֽהְיֶה
H1961
תִּֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה
shall be first
H7223
בָרִֽאשׁוֹנָ֖ה
shall be first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
7 of 12
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
לַֽהֲמִית֑וֹ
upon him to put him to death
H4191
לַֽהֲמִית֑וֹ
upon him to put him to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
8 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
וְיַ֥ד
him thine hand
H3027
וְיַ֥ד
him thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Old Testament records few cases of this law's application, possibly because threat deterred apostasy or because enforcement was lax. Achan's family died with him for covenant violation (Joshua 7:24-25). Under theocracy, civil authorities enforced religious law. New Testament separation of church and state means church discipline, not civil execution, addresses apostasy (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13). However, divine judgment on Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) shows God still takes covenant violation seriously, executing judgment directly when appropriate.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we understand Old Testament capital punishment for religious crimes in relation to New Testament church discipline?
- What does the severity of this command teach about how seriously God views idolatry?
- How should churches handle members who abandon core doctrines or lead others astray?
Analysis & Commentary
The judgment: 'But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.' The Hebrew doubling harog taharog (הָרֹג תַּהֲרֹגֶנּוּ, 'kill, you shall kill') emphasizes certainty. Shockingly, the family member discovering apostasy must initiate execution—'thine hand shall be first.' This prevents false accusations (you wouldn't casually accuse family to death) while demanding ultimate covenant loyalty. The 'hand of all the people' indicates community participation, distributing responsibility and preventing vendetta. This corporate execution maintained covenant purity and deterred apostasy. The severity reflects spiritual death's horror exceeding physical death.