Deuteronomy 13:6-10

6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known,

7 gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other),

8 do not yield to them or listen to them. Show them no pity. Do not spare them or shield them.

9 You must certainly put them to death. Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people.

10 Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Deuteronomy 13:6-10 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. Deuteronomy 17:2-7; Deuteronomy 29:18
• 2. S Deuteronomy 11:28
• 3. Proverbs 1:10
• 4. S Deuteronomy 7:2
• 5. ver 5; Deuteronomy 17:5,7
• 6. S Leviticus 24:14
• 7. S Exodus 20:3