Deuteronomy 13

1 si surrexerit in medio tui prophetes aut qui somnium vidisse se dicat et praedixerit signum atque portentum

2 et evenerit quod locutus est et dixerit tibi eamus et sequamur deos alienos quos ignoras et serviamus eis

3 non audies verba prophetae illius aut somniatoris quia temptat vos Dominus Deus vester ut palam fiat utrum diligatis eum an non in toto corde et in tota anima vestra

4 Dominum Deum vestrum sequimini et ipsum timete mandata illius custodite et audite vocem eius ipsi servietis et ipsi adherebitis

5 propheta autem ille aut fictor somniorum interficietur quia locutus est ut vos averteret a Domino Deo vestro qui eduxit vos de terra Aegypti et redemit de domo servitutis ut errare te faceret de via quam tibi praecepit Dominus Deus tuus et auferes malum de medio tui

6 si tibi voluerit persuadere frater tuus filius matris tuae aut filius tuus vel filia sive uxor quae est in sinu tuo aut amicus quem diligis ut animam tuam clam dicens eamus et serviamus diis alienis quos ignoras tu et patres tui

7 cunctarum in circuitu gentium quae iuxta vel procul sunt ab initio usque ad finem terrae

8 non adquiescas ei nec audias neque parcat ei oculus tuus ut miserearis et occultes eum

9 sed statim interficies sit primum manus tua super eum et post te omnis populus mittat manum

10 lapidibus obrutus necabitur quia voluit te abstrahere a Domino Deo tuo qui eduxit te de terra Aegypti de domo servitutis

11 ut omnis Israhel audiens timeat et nequaquam ultra faciat quippiam huius rei simile

12 si audieris in una urbium tuarum quas Dominus Deus tuus dabit tibi ad habitandum dicentes aliquos

13 egressi sunt filii Belial de medio tui et averterunt habitatores urbis tuae atque dixerunt eamus et serviamus diis alienis quos ignoratis

14 quaere sollicite et diligenter rei veritate perspecta si inveneris certum esse quod dicitur et abominationem hanc opere perpetratam

15 statim percuties habitatores urbis illius in ore gladii et delebis eam omniaque quae in illa sunt usque ad pecora

16 quicquid etiam supellectilis fuerit congregabis in medium platearum eius et cum ipsa civitate succendes ita ut universa consumas Domino Deo tuo et sit tumulus sempiternus non aedificabitur amplius

17 et non adherebit de illo anathemate quicquam in manu tua ut avertatur Dominus ab ira furoris sui et misereatur tui multiplicetque te sicut iuravit patribus tuis

18 quando audieris vocem Domini Dei tui custodiens omnia praecepta eius quae ego praecipio tibi hodie ut facias quod placitum est in conspectu Domini Dei tui

Deuteronomy 13 Commentary

Chapter 13

Enticers to idolatry to be put to death. (1-5) Relations who entice to idolatry not to be spared. (6-11) Idolatrous cities not to be spared. (12-18)

Verses 1-5 Moses had cautioned against the peril that might arise from the Canaanites. Here he cautions against the rise of idolatry among themselves. It is needful for us to be well acquainted with the truths and precepts of the Bible; for we may expect to be proved by temptations of evil under the appearance of good, of error in the guise of truth; nor can any thing rightly oppose such temptations, but the plain, express testimony of God's word to the contrary. And it would be a proof of sincere affection for God, that, notwithstanding specious pretences, they should not be wrought upon the forsake God, and follow other gods to serve them.

Verses 6-11 It is the policy of Satan to try to lead us to evil by those whom we love, whom we least suspect of any ill design, and whom we are desirous to please, and apt to conform to. The enticement here is supposed to come from a brother or child, who are near by nature; from a wife or friend, who are near by choice, and are to us as our souls. But it is our duty to prefer God and religion, before the nearest and dearest friends we have in the world. We must not, to please our friends, break God's law. Thou shalt not consent to him, nor go with him, not for company, or curiosity, not to gain his affections. It is a general rule, If sinners entice thee, consent thou not, Pr. 1:10 . And we must not hinder the course of God's justice.

Verses 12-18 Here is the case of a city revolting from the God of Israel, and serving other gods. The crime is supposed to be committed by one of the cities of Israel. Even when they were ordered to preserve their religion by force, yet they were not allowed to bring others to it by fire and sword. Spiritual judgments under the Christian dispensation are more terrible than the execution of criminals; we have not less cause than the Israelites had, to fear the Divine wrath. Let us then fear the spiritual idolatry of covetousness, and the love of worldly pleasure; and be careful not to countenance them in our families, by our example or by the education of our children. May the Lord write his law and truth in our hearts, there set up his throne, and shed abroad his love!

Chapter Summary

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.