Deuteronomy 13:12-15

12 “If you hear in one of your cities, which the Lord your God is giving you to dwell there,

13 that certain ¹worthless fellows have gone out among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods, ’ which you have not known,

14 then you shall inquire and make search and ask ²diligently. And behold, if it be true and certain that such an abomination has been done among you,

15 you shall surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword, devoting it to destruction, ^[a] all who are in it and its cattle, with the edge of the sword.

Deuteronomy 13:12-15 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

• 1. 13:13 Judg. 19:22; 20:13; 1 Sam. 2:12; 25:17; 2 Sam. 16:7; 20:1; 1 Kgs. 21:10, 13
• 2. 13:14 ch. 17:4; 19:18

Footnotes

• [a] 13:15 That is, setting apart (devoting) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction)