Deuteronomy-Chapter-13
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I
may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org”
(MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org”
(SEF), three brilliant versions, although JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth,
Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of
Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been
corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy
4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Deuteronomy
13 serves as a foundational blueprint for the preservation of the covenantal
community. It addresses the internal and external threats to the nation’s
exclusive devotion to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God). The chapter establishes a legal framework to guard against
the allure of idolatry, whether it comes from a charismatic figure, a close
family member, or an entire city. It emphasizes that the bond between the
people and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is not merely personal but a national responsibility that requires
vigilance and, at times, difficult justice to maintain communal integrity.
YYYYYYY
Let us read Deuteronomy Chapter 13:1-19: (JPS-1917 version of
the Torah). Below each verse is its ‘Explanation’.
1. “All this word which I command you,
that shall ye observe to do; thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Explanation: This verse sets a boundary for the Law. It establishes that the Torah
is complete and self-contained; human innovation whether by adding new restrictions
or removing existing ones is prohibited to maintain the original Divine intent.
2. If there arise in the midst of thee
a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or a wonder,
Explanation: The text acknowledges that individuals may appear who seem to possess
supernatural validation through miracles or accurate predictions of the future.
3. and the
sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee, saying: ‘Let us go
after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them’;
Explanation: Even if a miracle occurs, the message is the true test. If the individual
uses their “wonder” to advocate for the worship of any power other than the
Creator, they are immediately identified as false.
4. thou shalt not hearken unto the
words of that prophet, or unto that dreamer of dreams; for יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheichem (God) putteth you to proof, to know whether ye do
love יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheichem with all your heart and with all your soul.
Explanation: The existence of a successful miracle-worker who teaches falsehood is
described as a divine test of the people’s loyalty and intellectual clarity
regarding their monotheistic commitment.
5. After יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheichem shall ye walk, and Him shall ye fear, and His commandments shall ye
keep, and unto His voice shall ye hearken, and Him shall ye serve, and unto Him
shall ye cleave.
Explanation: This verse lists the active requirements of the covenant: following אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s path, observing the laws, and maintaining a
constant, unbreakable connection to the Divine.
6. And that prophet, or that dreamer
of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken perversion against יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloheichem, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the
house of bondage, to draw thee aside out of the way which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put away
the evil from the midst of thee.
Explanation: The penalty for the false prophet is capital punishment. The crime is
viewed as a form of spiritual treason against the Redeemer who liberated the
nation.
7. If thy brother, the son of thy
mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend,
who is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying: ‘Let us go and serve
other gods’, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
Explanation: The law now moves from public figures to the private sphere, addressing
those with whom one has the deepest emotional ties.
8. of the
gods of the peoples that are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from
thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;
Explanation: This covers any external religious influence, whether from immediate
neighbours or distant civilizations.
9. thou shalt
not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him,
neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him;
Explanation: In matters of national survival and spiritual purity, personal
sentiment and family loyalty must not lead to the concealment of a crime that
threatens the community.
10. but thou
shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death,
and afterwards the hand of all the people.
Explanation: The individual who was enticed must be the one to initiate the legal
process, demonstrating that their loyalty to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim supersedes their loyalty to a relative.
11. And thou shalt stone him with
stones, that he die; because he hath sought to draw thee away from יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out
of the house of bondage.
Explanation: The specific method of execution is mentioned, reinforcing the gravity
of attempting to sever a person's link to their Deliverer.
12. And all
Explanation: The public nature of the justice serves as a deterrent, ensuring the
community understands the severity of the transgression.
13. If thou shalt hear tell concerning
one of thy cities, which יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha giveth thee to dwell
there, saying:
Explanation: The focus now shifts from individuals to a collective, an entire town
that has gone astray.
14. ‘Certain base fellows are gone out
from the midst of thee, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city,
saying: Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known’;
Explanation: The text describes a scenario where “worthless” individuals lead a
whole community into a systematic rejection of the covenant.
15. then shalt thou inquire, and make
search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain,
that such abomination is wrought in the midst of thee;
Explanation: A rigorous judicial investigation is mandatory. Action cannot be taken
on hearsay; the facts must be verified beyond doubt.
16. thou shalt
surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying
it utterly, and all that is therein and the cattle thereof, with the edge of
the sword.
Explanation: If the entire city is proven to have turned to idolatry, it is treated
as a total loss. The judgment extends even to the property, ensuring no one
profits from the city's downfall.
17. And thou shalt gather all the spoil
of it into the midst of the broad place thereof, and shalt burn with fire the
city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, unto יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha; and it shall be a heap for ever; it shall not be
built again.
Explanation: The city becomes a “tel” a permanent ruin serving
as a lasting physical monument to the consequences of abandoning the national
mission.
18. And there shall cleave nought of the
devoted thing to thy hand; that יְהוָה - the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger, and show thee mercy,
and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as He hath sworn unto thy
fathers;
Explanation: By refusing to take any loot, the executors of the law prove that their
motives are pure and not driven by greed, thereby inviting the Divine
compassion.
19. when thou shalt hearken to the
voice of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha, to keep all His commandments which I command
thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֶיךָ
- the LORD thy Eloheicha”.
Explanation: The chapter concludes by reinforcing that national prosperity and mercy
are contingent upon total adherence to the ethical and spiritual standards set
by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
YYYYYYY
My Closing
Message:
Chapter 13
reminds us that the integrity of our values is often tested in the most
intimate or impressive ways. Whether through the “signs” of a charismatic
leader or the whispers of a loved one, the Torah demands an intellectual and
moral clarity that places the ‘Ultimate Truth’ above all social or emotional
pressure. It teaches that a community is defined not just by what it accepts,
but by what it resolutely refuses to tolerate within its boundaries.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those who
desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your
faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek
our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for
His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However
this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies”
motto is as follows;
“The
More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts,
be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as
well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food
and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be
with you!
Enter ...