Deuteronomy 13:5
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 13:5
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 13 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of truth, righteousness, worship. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-18: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 13:5
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Analysis
The judgment on false prophets: 'And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God...to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in.' Capital punishment for doctrinal heresy seems extreme but reflects false prophecy's gravity. Leading people away from God (sarah, סָרָה, turn aside) merits death because spiritual destruction is worse than physical death. The phrase 'thrust thee out of the way' (nadach, נָדַח, drive away, seduce) indicates active seduction, not passive error. False teaching actively murders souls. The concluding 'so shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee' shows this protects covenant community from corruption.
Historical Context
Old Testament capital punishment for false prophecy reflected theocracy—civil and spiritual authority united. Elijah executed 450 Baal prophets (1 Kings 18:40). Jeremiah faced death threats for true prophecy (Jeremiah 26:11). After Pentecost, church discipline rather than civil execution addresses heresy (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; Titus 3:10-11). However, Paul invokes divine judgment on false teachers (Galatians 1:8-9), showing God's hatred of soul-destroying lies persists. Church history's tragic errors (Inquisition, burning heretics) misapplied Old Testament theocratic law to New Testament church age.
Reflection
- How seriously do we take false teaching's danger compared to God's assessment in this passage?
- What is appropriate church response to teachers who lead people away from biblical truth?
- How do we balance grace toward erring believers with protection of the flock from destructive heresies?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Prophecy: Deuteronomy 18:20, Jeremiah 14:15
- References God: Deuteronomy 13:10
- Evil: Deuteronomy 17:7, 19:19, 22:21, 24:7, 1 Corinthians 5:13