Devarim 18:21

21 And if thou say in thine lev, How shall we know the word which Hashem hath not spoken?

Devarim 18:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:21

And if thou say in thine heart,
&c] Such a thought arises in the mind, and it appears to be a difficulty, and a query is made upon it,

how shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
What marks, signs, and criterions are those by which it may be known that it is not a word that comes from the Lord?

Devarim 18:21 In-Context

19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not listen unto My words which he shall speak Bishmi (in My Name), I will require it of him.

20 But the navi, which shall presume to speak a word Bishmi (In My Name), which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the shem of elohim acharim, even that navi shall die.

21 And if thou say in thine lev, How shall we know the word which Hashem hath not spoken?

22 When a navi speaketh b’Shem Hashem, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Hashem hath not spoken, but the navi hath spoken it bezadon (in zadon [presumption, arrogance]); thou shalt not be afraid of him.