Deuteronomy 13:12-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:6-12

God or our brother. Terribly stern is the duty here laid on the person enticed to idolatry. The law is adapted to an age of stern deeds, and to a people living under a stern dispensation. Yet, reflecting on the nature of the crime, on the constitution of the Jewish state, and on the issues to mankind which hung on the slender thread of this one nation's fidelity, it is difficult to see how it could well have been less stern than it is. Its severity was perhaps its mercy. Note, too, that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:12

Hear in one of thy cities. The Hebrew phrase, "to hear in" ( שָׁמַע בְּ ). has sometimes the meaning of to overhear, as in Genesis 27:5 ; 1 Samuel 17:28 ; Job 15:8 ; sometimes it means simply to hear, as in 2 Samuel 19:36 (35) ; in Job 26:14 , it has the force of to hear of or concerning, though some think this questionable. This latter is apparently the meaning here: If thou hear concerning any of thy cities , etc. Baying. This introduces what is heard. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:12-18

A third ease supposed is that of the inhabitants of a city being seduced by wicked men into idolatry. In this case inquiry was to be made as to the fact; and if it was found to be so, the inhabitants of that city were to be put to the sword, all their property was to be burnt, and the city itself reduced to a heap; so should the anger of the Lord be averted from Israel, and he would do them good. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:12-18

A city under ban. The case here supposed is even more appalling than the former one, for it is the inhabitants of a whole city who, with all that they have, are to be destroyed. Yet, as it is certain that godly persons, dreading the execution of this sentence, would leave this city as soon as they found out what was going on—being very possibly the bearers of the tidings to others—the curse would practically take effect only on those who were in league with the idolaters. Searching... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:13

Men, the children of Belial ; the sons of worthlessness , utterly worthless persons. Beli ya ‛al (a compound of בְלִי , not, and עָל , to ascend, to have worth, to profit) means primarily that which is low, hence worthlessness, naughtiness, wickedness. In Deuteronomy 15:9 , Belial is rendered in the Authorized Version as an adjective, "wicked," and also in Nehemiah 1:11 . In Psalms 18:4 , it is rendered by "ungodly men." Most commonly it is treated as a proper name. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 13:14-15

After due inquiry, if it was found that such a thing had really been done in any of their cities, the extreme penalty was to be inflicted on the city and all its inhabitants—all were to be destroyed. Smite … with the edge of the sword ; literally, with the mouth of the sword , as biting and devouring like a ravenous beast—a phrase for utter destruction. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 13:12

City was to keep jealous watch over city, as man over man. The clause “which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell in” significantly reminds them that the real ownership of their dwellings rested in the Lord (compare Leviticus 25:23), and that they, the mere tenants, must not allow His property to become a center of rebellion against His just authority. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 13:13

In Deuteronomy 15:9 and in Nahum 1:11 the word “Belial” is rendered in our translation by the adjective “wicked.” The word means “worthlessness.”(from Barnes’ Notes) read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 13:13

Deuteronomy 13:13. Certain men, children of Belial So the most profligate and worthless are called in Scripture. The expression properly signifies persons without yoke, lawless, and rebellious, that will suffer no restraint, that neither fear God nor reverence man. Are gone out from you Have separated themselves from you in point of religion, and carry themselves stubbornly and presumptuously herein. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 13:14

Deuteronomy 13:14. Then thou shalt inquire This is meant of the magistrate, to whose office this properly belonged, and of whom he continues to speak in the same manner, thou, Deu 13:15 and Deuteronomy 13:16. The Jewish writers say, the defection of a city was to be tried by the great sanhedrim. If it appeared that they were thrust away to idolatry, they were to send two learned men to admonish them. If they repented, all was well; if not, all Israel was to go up and execute this... read more

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