Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
H1696
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
H8034
בְּשֵׁ֣ם
in the name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
4 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַדָּבָ֔ר
if the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֔ר
if the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָבֹ֔א
follow not nor come to pass
H935
יָבֹ֔א
follow not nor come to pass
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 22
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
11 of 22
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
הַדָּבָ֔ר
if the thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֔ר
if the thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 22
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 #:
14 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
H1696
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
15 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
H1696
דִּבְּר֣וֹ
hath not spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
18 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:20But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.2 Kings 20:1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.Jonah 4:2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.
Historical Context
Israel faced constant pressure from false prophets—optimistic nationalists predicting victory when judgment loomed (Jeremiah 28), or compromisers encouraging Baal worship (1 Kings 18:19-40). God's empirical test (fulfilled prophecy) and theological test (Deuteronomy 13:1-5, does it promote other gods?) protected covenant fidelity.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'prophets' (preachers, authors, influencers) claim divine authority while teaching what contradicts Scripture?
- How do you test prophecy/preaching against the empirical standard (does it align with fulfilled Scripture) and theological standard (does it promote Christ)?
- Why should you 'not be afraid' of false teachers—what authority do they actually lack despite impressive claims?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken—God provides an empirical test: unfulfilled prophecy proves false prophecy. The standard is 100% accuracy (not 'mostly right')—even one failure disqualifies the prophet. This protected Israel from manipulation by would-be seers claiming divine authority for personal agendas.
But the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him—The false prophet's error is ziddim (זִדִּים, presumption, arrogance), not mere mistake. Jeremiah condemned: They prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not (Jeremiah 29:9). Jesus warned: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). The church must test prophecy (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, 1 John 4:1), rejecting manipulation cloaked in divine authority. Scripture's completion provides the ultimate test: does the message align with written revelation?