Deuteronomy 13:6-11

6 1"If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or 2the wife you embrace[a] or your friend 3who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, 'Let us go and serve other gods,'4which neither you nor your fathers have known,
7 some 5of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other,
8 you shall 6not yield to him or listen to him, nor 7shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.
9 But you shall kill him. 8Your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people.
10 9You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
11 And 10all Israel shall hear and fear and never again do any such wickedness as this among you.

Deuteronomy 13:6-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 13

In this chapter the Israelites are taught how to discern a false prophet, shun and punish him, De 13:1-5, what to do with enticers to idolatry, not only not to consent to them, but, without favour and affection to them, endeavour to bring them to just punishment, and be the first that should inflict it on them, De 13:6-11 and how to behave towards a city drawn into idolatry, as to inquire the truth of it; then make war against it; destroy all in it, men, women, children, and cattle; and burn the spoil of it, and suffer not anything at all belonging to it to cleave unto them, De 13:12-18.

Cross References 10

  • 1. Deuteronomy 17:2
  • 2. Deuteronomy 28:54, 56; Micah 7:5
  • 3. [1 Samuel 18:1, 3; 1 Samuel 20:17]
  • 4. Deuteronomy 28:64
  • 5. Deuteronomy 6:14
  • 6. Proverbs 1:10
  • 7. See Deuteronomy 7:16
  • 8. Deuteronomy 17:7
  • 9. Deuteronomy 17:5; See Joshua 7:25
  • 10. Deuteronomy 17:13; Deuteronomy 19:20; Deuteronomy 21:21

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew the wife of your bosom
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.