Deuteronomy Chapter 18 · Verse 19
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֗ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֗ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָאִישׁ֙
And it shall come to pass that whosoever
H376
הָאִישׁ֙
And it shall come to pass that whosoever
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 13
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 #:
4 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשְׁמַע֙
will not hearken
H8085
יִשְׁמַע֙
will not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
5 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דְּבָרַ֔י
unto my words
H1697
דְּבָרַ֔י
unto my words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
which he shall speak
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֖ר
which he shall speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
9 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בִּשְׁמִ֑י
in my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִ֑י
in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
10 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Hebrews 2:3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;Hebrews 10:26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Historical Context
Moses delivered this warning just before his death, establishing accountability for future generations. Throughout Israel's history, prophets proclaimed God's word and announced judgment on those who refused to listen (Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 6:10, 17; 7:13; Ezekiel 3:7). Jesus's ministry provoked the same division—those who heard and believed versus those who rejected and perished (John 8:47; 10:26-28). The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was the covenantal judgment on Israel's rejection of Jesus the Prophet.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously do you treat Scripture as God's authoritative word that requires obedient response, not merely intellectual acknowledgment?
- What does this verse teach about the eternal consequences of rejecting Jesus's message and authority?
Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name—The Prophet speaks in my name (God's), meaning with divine authority and as God's representative. Shama (hearken) means to hear and obey, not merely acknowledge. I will require it of him—Darash (require) is judicial language for holding someone accountable, demanding satisfaction. God Himself will judge those who reject His prophetic word.
This establishes the stakes: rejecting God's chosen Prophet equals rejecting God, bringing covenant curse. Peter cites this in Acts 3:23, applying it to Jesus: 'every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.' The warning is severe because the Prophet delivers God's own words—to disbelieve Him is to disbelieve God. This principle undergirds biblical authority: Scripture, as God's prophetic-apostolic word, carries divine authority. Rejecting it brings judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 2:1-4; 12:25).