Deuteronomy 13:12

12 `When thou hearest, in one of thy cities which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee to dwell there, [one] saying,

Deuteronomy 13:12 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 13:12

If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities
A report concerning them, anyone of them:

which the Lord thy God had given thee to dwell there;
which he had not only given them, but had put them into the possession of, and it was become their dwelling place, or was inhabited by Israelites; otherwise they were already given unto them, but did not inherit and inhabit them, and it might be possible that there might be some city or cities, at least for a time, which, though given them, were not inhabited by them, but by the Canaanites, and such cities this law did not concern: saying; as follows.

Deuteronomy 13:12 In-Context

10 and thou hast stoned him with stones, and he hath died, for he hath sought to drive thee away from Jehovah thy God, who is bringing thee out of the land of Egypt, out of a house of servants;

11 and all Israel do hear and fear, and add not to do like this evil thing in thy midst.

12 `When thou hearest, in one of thy cities which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee to dwell there, [one] saying,

13 Men, sons of worthlessness, have gone out of thy midst, and they force away the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known --

14 and thou hast enquired, and searched, and asked diligently, and lo, truth; the thing is established; this abomination hath been done in thy midst: