Deuteronomy 13:3 kjv
Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3 nkjv
you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3 niv
you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3 esv
you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Deuteronomy 13:3 nlt
do not listen to them. The LORD your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 13 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 6:5 | You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart... | Foundation for wholehearted love. |
| Deut 10:12 | to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart... | Echoes call for complete devotion. |
| Deut 13:1-2 | If a prophet...gives you a sign or a wonder...to follow other gods... | Immediate context: the deceptive premise. |
| Deut 13:5 | for that prophet...has spoken rebellion against the LORD... | Consequence and nature of the false prophet. |
| Deut 18:20 | The prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name... | False prophet's penalty. |
| Deut 18:21-22 | When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen | Test of a true prophet. |
| Exod 15:25 | There he made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them. | God's past testing of Israel. |
| Exod 16:4 | that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. | God's testing for obedience to His law. |
| Exod 20:20 | And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you... | God's testing to instil reverent fear. |
| Judg 2:22 | in order to test Israel by them, whether they would take care to walk... | Nations left to test Israel's faithfulness. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings...than in obeying... | Obedience prioritized over outward sacrifice. |
| 2 Chr 32:31 | God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was... | God testing kings and hearts. |
| Ps 26:2 | Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. | Psalmist's plea for divine testing. |
| Jer 14:14 | The prophets are prophesying lies in my name... | Warnings against false prophecy in Jeremiah. |
| Jer 17:10 | “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind..." | God's perfect knowledge of hearts. |
| Matt 7:15 | “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing..." | NT warning against deceptive false teachers. |
| Matt 22:37 | “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul | The Greatest Commandment, directly quoting Dt. |
| 1 Jn 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits... | NT command to discern spirits. |
| Rev 2:2 | I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot | Christ commends discerning false apostles. |
| Phil 1:9-10 | that your love may abound more and more...discern what is best... | NT emphasis on discerning God's will. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword | God's word as the ultimate discerner. |
Deuteronomy 13 verses
Deuteronomy 13 3 Meaning
Deuteronomy 13:3 instructs the Israelites to reject the words of any prophet or dreamer of dreams, even if their signs or wonders come true, if they promote turning away from the Lord God to serve other gods. This command is presented as a divine test by God to discern and reveal the true depth of the people's love and unwavering commitment to Him, specifically whether their devotion to Him is with their entire heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 13 3 Context
Deuteronomy 13 is part of Moses' farewell speeches to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the promised land. Moses is reiterating and expounding upon the Law given at Sinai, focusing on the core covenant obligations. This chapter specifically addresses the severe danger of seduction to idolatry, particularly from within the Israelite community, in contrast to the external paganism of the Canaanites. Verses 1-5 deal with false prophets who, despite potentially performing signs or wonders, lead the people away from the Lord. This verse 3 reveals the divine purpose behind allowing such a test to arise: it is a challenge to reveal the true commitment of the people's heart to the exclusive worship of Yahweh, their God. This section precedes other internal threats, such as enticement from close family members (vv. 6-11) and apostasy of entire cities (vv. 12-18).
Deuteronomy 13 3 Word analysis
- you shall not listen: A clear, absolute prohibition. The Hebrew phrase emphasizes a deliberate and active refusal to give heed or accept the instruction of the false prophet. It underscores Israel's moral agency and responsibility in upholding the covenant.
- to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams: This specifies the source of the deceptive message.
- Prophet (נָבִיא, navi): A divinely appointed spokesman, but here referring to someone who falsely claims this role. They claim to speak for God, making their deception particularly insidious.
- Dreamer of dreams (חֹלֵם חֲלוֹמוֹת, cholem chalomot): Someone who claims divine revelation through dreams, a recognized means of revelation (Num 12:6, Joel 2:28). This phrase directly addresses deceptive mystical or ecstatic experiences. The potential for such figures to perform "signs or wonders" (from v. 1) makes discernment challenging, forcing reliance not on phenomena, but on theological content.
- for the Lord your God: This immediately shifts the focus from human responsibility to divine sovereignty. The reason for the seemingly dangerous scenario is attributed directly to God's purpose, rooted in His covenant relationship as "your God."
- is testing you (נָסָה, nasah): The Hebrew term "nasah" implies putting someone to the proof, or trying them, to see if their commitment or quality holds true. This is not God lacking knowledge; He already knows the hearts of His people. Rather, the test serves to reveal their true heart condition to themselves and demonstrate their loyalty. It is a crucible for faith, designed to bring forth genuine commitment, not to cause failure.
- to know whether you love the Lord your God: This states the precise purpose of the test. The "knowing" here is experiential and declarative, a manifestation of the love that already exists (or doesn't). It requires an active choice, even when faced with compelling (but deceptive) signs.
- with all your heart and with all your soul: This echoes the fundamental command of the Shema (Deut 6:5) and encapsulates the ultimate demand of the covenant. "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav) signifies the core of one's being, including intellect, will, and emotion. "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) refers to the whole life-principle, including desires, passions, and inner self. Together, they represent a complete, undivided, and passionate devotion that extends to every facet of existence. The test's outcome reveals the integrity of this core commitment.
- "you shall not listen...for the Lord your God is testing you...": This phrase connects the human command of non-compliance directly to God's divine design. It explains that Israel's obedience to this prohibition is precisely the means by which their love for God is proven. The severity of the potential deception (signs and wonders) underscores the importance of a steadfast heart.
Deuteronomy 13 3 Bonus section
This verse implies a critical distinction between a true and false prophet. While both might perform signs, the ultimate criterion for authenticity is fidelity to Yahweh and His established commandments. A true prophet always leads people closer to God's revealed will, whereas a false one diverts them from it, no matter how charismatic or convincing their methods. The context here focuses on internal, religious treason, a subversion of the foundational covenant by spiritual means. The passage serves as a perpetual warning against embracing attractive, seemingly powerful spiritual claims that undermine the singular, complete devotion due to God alone. It mandates that ultimate loyalty to God's Word must transcend empirical proofs or compelling personality, demanding spiritual discernment that rests solely on the content of divine truth rather than signs.
Deuteronomy 13 3 Commentary
Deuteronomy 13:3 lays bare the profound truth that obedience to God is often proven not in ease, but in trial, and specifically through the challenge of discerning truth amidst deception. The Lord permits false prophets, even those whose predictions might inexplicably come to pass or whose wonders appear compelling (as suggested by v. 1-2), to emerge. The crucial test lies in the message these figures promote: if they lead away from exclusive worship of Yahweh towards other gods, they are to be rejected unequivocally, regardless of any supernatural sign. This is God’s test (nasah) not to discover something unknown to Him, but to manifest the sincerity and depth of Israel’s love. Do they truly love Him with their whole being (heart and soul) or is their faith conditional on miraculous displays or subject to alluring alternative ideologies? The verse highlights that true devotion means unwavering adherence to God's revealed truth, prioritizing it above all phenomenal experiences or claims.