Deuteronomy 18:22

22 ¹when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; ²the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:22 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:22

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord
Says he comes from God, is sent by him, and has a commission from him to say so:

if the thing follow not, nor come to pass;
as the prophecy of Hananiah, ( Jeremiah 28:3 ) that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken; or otherwise it would have come to pass, unless when a condition is either expressed or implied, as the repentance or disobedience of a people; see ( Jeremiah 18:7-10 )

but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously;
in a bold and daring manner, with great impiety and impudence, out of his own head and heart, being a mere device and imagination of his own, which, not having the fear of God, he delivered as coming from the Lord:

thou shall not be afraid of him;
not only to reprove him for his wickedness, but also to punish him for it; showing no regard to the high character he assumes, nor to the great pretensions he makes to sanctity, knowledge, and familiarity with God.

Deuteronomy 18:22 In-Context

20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. ’

21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken? ’—

22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Cross References

• 1. 18:22 [ch. 13:1-3; Jer. 28:9]
• 2. 18:22 [See ver. 20 above]