Deu 13:6-11 | NETfull | STEP | Suppose your own full brother, your son, your daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend should seduce you secretly and encourage you to go and serve other gods that neither you nor your ancestors have previously known,

Deuteronomy 13:6-11

False Prophets in the Family

6 Suppose your own full brother, ^{▼▼ Heb “your brother, the son of your mother.” In a polygamous society it was not rare to have half brothers and sisters by way of a common father and different mothers.} your son, your daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend should seduce you secretly and encourage you to go and serve other gods ^{▼▼ In the Hebrew text these words are in the form of a brief quotation: “entice you secretly saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’”} that neither you nor your ancestors ^{▼▼ Heb “fathers” (also in v. 17).} have previously known, ^{▼▼ Heb “which you have not known, you or your fathers.” (cf. KJV, ASV; on “fathers” cf. v. 18).} 7 the gods of the surrounding people (whether near you or far from you, from one end of the earth ^{▼▼ Or “land” (so NIV, NCV); the same Hebrew word can be translated “land” or “earth.”} to the other). 8 You must not give in to him or even listen to him; do not feel sympathy for him or spare him or cover up for him. 9 Instead, you must kill him without fail! ^{▼▼ The Hebrew text uses the infinitive absolute for emphasis, which the translation indicates with the words “without fail” (cf. NIV “you must certainly put him to death”).} Your own hand must be the first to strike him, ^{▼▼ Heb “to put him to death,” but this is misleading in English for such an action would leave nothing for the others to do.} and then the hands of the whole community. 10 You must stone him to death ^{▼▼ Execution by means of pelting the offender with stones afforded a mechanism whereby the whole community could share in it. In a very real sense it could be done not only in the name of the community and on its behalf but by its members (cf. Lev 24:14; Num 15:35; Deut 21:21; Josh 7:25).} because he tried to entice you away from the Lord your God, who delivered you from the land of Egypt, that place of slavery. 11 Thus all Israel will hear and be afraid; no longer will they continue to do evil like this among you. ^{▼▼ Some see in this statement an argument for the deterrent effect of capital punishment (Deut 17:13; 19:20; 21:21).}