Deuteronomy 13:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 13:6
6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 13 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, sacrifice, salvation. 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 demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. 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 13:6
6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Analysis
Family enticement: 'If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods.' The intensely personal relationships—brother, son, daughter, beloved wife, close friend—make this test most difficult. The Hebrew sut (סוּת, entice/incite) indicates active seduction. The word 'secretly' (בַּסֵּתֶר, baseter) suggests covert temptation, appealing to loyalty or love. This confronts believers with ultimate choice: family or God? Christ later echoes this: 'He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me' (Matthew 10:37). Covenant loyalty must transcend even deepest human affections.
Historical Context
Family ties were paramount in ancient Near East—tribal identity, inheritance, survival depended on kinship. Demanding believers report and testify against family members for idolatry would have been almost unthinkable. Yet God requires it, showing nothing—not even family—supersedes covenant faithfulness. Israel often failed this test—Ahab tolerated Jezebel's Baalism, Solomon accommodated wives' idolatry, Josiah's sons apostatized despite his faithfulness. The first commandment allows no exceptions for family sentiment.
Reflection
- What do you do when family members or close friends try to lead you away from Christ?
- How do we maintain love for family while refusing to compromise spiritual truth?
- What does Jesus's statement about 'hating father and mother' (Luke 14:26) mean in light of this passage?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References God: Deuteronomy 29:18
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 28:54, 1 Samuel 18:1, 18:3, 20:17, Proverbs 18:24, Ephesians 4:14