Deuteronomy 13

18 verses

TL;DR

Deuteronomy 13 warns Israel against false prophets and seducers who lure them into idolatry, prescribing death for prophets and destruction for cities that abandon the covenant.

Summary

The chapter opens with a warning against prophets or dreamers who, if they predict signs that lead Israel to worship other gods, must be killed to preserve the people's love for the LORD. It then instructs Israel to reject any family member or close friend who secretly urges idolatry, demanding they be killed and no pity shown. Finally, it describes the procedure for dealing with cities that have turned to idolatry: investigate, and if proven, destroy the city entirely, burn it, and seize all its spoils, thereby ensuring the people remain faithful to the covenant. The text emphasizes obedience, fear of the LORD, and the seriousness of turning away from the covenant.

Outline

1. Threat from false prophets and dreamers; 2. Repulsion of seducers within families; 3. Destruction of idolatrous cities.

Themes

faithfulness to covenantjudgment against idolatryauthority of Godcommunity purification

Keywords

prophetdreameridolatryLORDcommandmentsfaithjudgmentdestruction

People

MosesprophetsdreamersIsraelite family memberssons of Belial

Places

Israelcities of Israelland of Egyptend of the earth

Things

prophetdreameridolatrystonesswordfirespoils

Key Verses

Deuteronomy 13:1-3: introduces the false prophet warning
Deuteronomy 13:5: commands execution of the prophet
Deuteronomy 13:8-9: prevents acceptance of seducers
Deuteronomy 13:15-16: details city destruction and its significance

Questions

What does the passage suggest about the seriousness of turning away from the covenant?
How does the text define loyalty to the LORD?
In what ways does the law aim to protect communal faith?

Sentiment

negative
Authoritative tone that stresses judgment and strict compliance