Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 13:2
and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, detailing the protocol for a prophet or dreamer who has produced a verified supernatural event. The verse captures the exact moment the sign occurs, immediately followed by the speaker's invitation to abandon Yahweh.
The words — נֵלְכָה (ne.le.Khah) literally means "let us walk," serving as a directive to follow a new path. It follows הָאוֹת (ha.'Ot, "the sign") and הַמּוֹפֵת (ha.mo.Fet, "the wonder"), anchoring the warning to events that have already transpired as spoken.
The thread — The passage links to Deuteronomy 13:6, which extends the warning to familial enticement, and Deuteronomy 18:22, which notes that failed prophecy invalidates a speaker. Jeremiah 28:9 reinforces the criterion that a prophet's authority rests solely on the fulfillment of their declared word.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate refusal of the speaker despite the miracle's accuracy, placing covenant loyalty above empirical verification. It requires the reader to judge authority by doctrinal fidelity rather than supernatural demonstration.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 13:6 If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known,
- Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.
- Jeremiah 28:9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.”
- Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
- Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- Revelation 13:13 And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
- Exodus 7:22 But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts. So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
- Deuteronomy 13:13 that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),