Deuteronomy 18:20

20 But any prophet who dares to say something in my name that I didn't command him to say or who speaks in the name of other gods must die."

Deuteronomy 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:20

But the prophet which shall presume to speak in my name
Pretending a mission and commission from God, and yet was never sent by him, like the prophets in ( Jeremiah 23:21 ) ,

which I have not commanded him to speak;
which though true was not to be spoken in a public manner, by assuming a public office, without a divine authority or a commission from God, and much less what was false, and never commanded to be spoken at all by any:

or, that shall speak in the name of other gods;
the idols of the people, as the Targum; as if any should affirm they were sent by Jove, or inspired by Apollo, as some are said to prophesy by Baal, as if they had received their orders and instructions from him, and were inspired by him, ( Jeremiah 2:8 )

even that prophet shall die;
the Targum of Jonathan is, be killed by the sword, but the Jews ^F17 generally interpret it of strangling.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F17 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 10. sect. 1. Bartenora in ib sect. 5. and Jarchi in loc.

Deuteronomy 18:20 In-Context

18 So I will send them a prophet, an Israelite like you. I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.

19 Whoever refuses to listen to the words that prophet speaks in my name will answer to me.

20 But any prophet who dares to say something in my name that I didn't command him to say or who speaks in the name of other gods must die."

21 You may be wondering, "How can we recognize that the LORD didn't speak this message?"

22 If a prophet speaks in the LORD's name and what he says doesn't happen or come true, then it didn't come from the LORD. That prophet has spoken on his own authority. Never be afraid of him.