Deuteronomy 18 20

Deuteronomy 18:20 kjv

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deuteronomy 18:20 nkjv

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'

Deuteronomy 18:20 niv

But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death."

Deuteronomy 18:20 esv

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.'

Deuteronomy 18:20 nlt

But any prophet who falsely claims to speak in my name or who speaks in the name of another god must die.'

Deuteronomy 18 verses

Deuteronomy 18 20 Meaning

This verse states a clear and severe penalty for two categories of false prophecy: either presuming to speak a message in God’s name that He did not authorize, or speaking in the name of other gods. Both actions are considered capital offenses, leading to the prophet's death. The core issue is the usurpation of divine authority and the leading of God’s people astray.

Deuteronomy 18 20 Context

Deuteronomy 18 establishes crucial guidelines for Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses emphasize the unique role of the Levites and priestly service (vv. 1-8). Crucially, the chapter prohibits detestable practices of the Canaanites, such as divination, sorcery, omens, and necromancy (vv. 9-14), practices deeply antithetical to reliance on Yahweh. In stark contrast to these forbidden practices, God promises to raise up a prophet "like Moses" (vv. 15-19) to whom the people must listen, thereby assuring Israel that they do not need pagan mediums for divine communication. Verse 20 serves as a severe warning directly following this promise. It sets clear boundaries around prophecy, distinguishing authentic divine communication from deceptive human fabrication or demonic influence. The immediate historical context is Israel at the edge of Canaan, establishing foundational laws for a people dedicated exclusively to Yahweh and His direct revelation, countering the spiritual chaos of their future neighbors.

Deuteronomy 18 20 Word analysis

• But (כִּי, ki): This conjunction serves to introduce a strong contrast or consequence, setting up a sharp distinction between the promised true prophet and the forbidden false ones.
• the prophet (הַנָּבִיא, han-naví'): Refers to one who claims to speak on behalf of a divine being. In the context of Israel, it means someone claiming divine inspiration and communication from Yahweh. The term navi implies a spokesperson, one who proclaims.
• who presumes (יָזִיד, yâzîd): This is a key and very strong term. It means to act defiantly, presumptuously, proudly, insolently, or to act with deliberate arrogance and stubbornness. It signifies a willful, audacious, and self-appointed transgression against God's authority, not a mistake or ignorance. The prophet deliberately steps into a role not granted by God.
• to speak a word (לְדַבֵּר דָּבָר, le·dabbēr dā·vār): Literally "to speak a word/thing." Dabar signifies a matter, a message, a divine utterance, emphasizing that it is a specific communication intended as revelation.
• in My name (בִשְׁמִי, bish·mî): "My name" refers to the unique and holy name of Yahweh, signifying His essence, authority, and power. To speak "in My name" is to claim direct divine authorization and representation, essentially saying, "Thus says the LORD." It's an assertion of having God's endorsement.
• which I have not commanded him to speak (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־צִוִּיתִיוֹ לְדַבֵּר, asher lo'-tzivviti·yo le·dabber): This is the first specific criterion for identifying a false prophet. The ultimate authority rests with God's direct command or instruction (tzavah). If God has not commissioned the message, it is by definition false, regardless of how "spiritual" it might sound. The prophet lacks divine mandate.
• or who speaks (אוֹ אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּר, o asher yedaver): Introduces the second category of false prophecy, equally punishable.
• in the name of other gods (בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, beshem elohim acherim): This specifies idolatry. Such a prophet is actively promoting or receiving revelation from pagan deities, directly violating the First Commandment against having other gods. This is spiritual treason against Yahweh and an open assault on the covenant.
• that prophet (וְהַנָּבִיא, vehanna·vî'): Repetition of the subject, reinforcing who is under judgment.
• shall die (מוּת יָמוּת, yāmûṯ): Literally "dying, he shall die," a Hebrew idiom for capital punishment, emphasizing the certainty and severity of the judgment. This divinely mandated death penalty underscores the gravity of spiritual deception and the supreme value placed on the purity of Yahweh's worship and word.

Words-group analysis:

• "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak": This phrase highlights the profound issue of unauthorized communication from God. It identifies self-appointment and a lack of divine sanction as the core characteristics of this type of false prophecy. The "presumption" makes it a deliberate act of spiritual defiance and deception. It's about taking God's authority upon oneself without being given it, directly misleading the people.
• "or who speaks in the name of other gods": This delineates the second type of false prophet – one who is not just unauthorized by Yahweh, but is actively aligned with and promoting pagan deities. This is an overt act of apostasy and idolatry, which directly undermines the covenant relationship with the one true God. This distinction is vital for understanding the full scope of prohibited prophecy.
• "that prophet shall die": This declarative statement pronounces the ultimate, unappealable consequence. The death penalty emphasizes the seriousness of the offense in a theocratic society where direct revelation from God was foundational to life and law. It served to protect the integrity of God’s name and message, safeguarding the spiritual health and identity of the entire community from dangerous spiritual corruption and deception.

Deuteronomy 18 20 Bonus Section

• This verse complements the testing criteria provided in Dt 18:21-22, where the failure of a prophecy to come true identifies it as false, alongside the failure to adhere to Yahweh's monotheistic command (as outlined in Dt 13:1-5).
• The concept of "speaking in My name" or "not commanded by Me" highlights that genuine prophecy must originate directly from God's will and purpose, not human invention, desire, or ambition.
• In the New Covenant, while the death penalty for false prophecy no longer applies in a literal sense, the seriousness of spiritual deception remains paramount. Believers are called to "test the spirits" (1 Jn 4:1) and discern false teachers (Mat 7:15; 2 Pet 2:1), recognizing that such individuals sow discord and destructive heresies within the church, posing a spiritual danger to faith.
• The principle behind this law reinforces God’s unwavering standard for those who claim to speak on His behalf, demanding accuracy, integrity, and absolute adherence to His revealed will. It guards against the profanation of God's holy name and protects the flock from wolves in sheep's clothing.

Deuteronomy 18 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 18:20 serves as a vital safeguard against spiritual deception and preserves the unique authority of Yahweh’s communication to His people. It outlines two primary categories of false prophets, both meriting capital punishment due to the existential threat they pose to Israel’s covenant relationship with God. The first category involves presumptuousness: speaking in God's name without His explicit command. This prophet usurps divine authority, offering their own thoughts or even fabricated messages as God’s truth, a profound act of blasphemy that could lead the community into spiritual error or despair when prophecies fail. The Hebrew term yâzîd underscores that this is not an honest mistake but a deliberate, arrogant act of defiance. The second category addresses those who outright promote or receive messages from "other gods." This is a clear act of idolatry and treason against Yahweh, an affront to His sole claim as Israel's God. The severe penalty of death for both forms of false prophecy highlights the sanctity of God's Word, the gravity of misleading His people, and the vital necessity of true, authorized divine revelation for the purity and survival of the community under the Old Covenant. It ensures that divine communication remains pure and true, a protection for the people and an honor to God's holy name.