And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

DEUTERONOMY 13:10KJV
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Deuteronomy 13:10 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 13:10 mean?

Deuteronomy 13:10 commands the Israelites to execute by stoning anyone who tries to turn them away from following the LORD their God, as a response to the seriousness of leading others into worshiping other gods. The verse explains that this punishment is because the person tried to lead Israel away from the God who rescued them from slavery in Egypt.

Moses is speaking to the people of Israel, giving them laws before they enter the Promised Land. The context is about protecting the community from being led astray by false prophets or even close family members who encourage worship of other gods. The verse stresses the importance of loyalty to the LORD (Yahweh), who delivered them from bondage, and the need to deal decisively with threats to that relationship.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 13:10

  • "stone" (רָגַם, ragam) and "stones" (אֶבֶן, eben): The use of these words shows the specific method of execution, which was a communal act involving the whole community, not a private or individual punishment.
  • "die" (מוּת, muth): This word makes clear that the intended outcome is death, underlining the seriousness of the offense.
  • "sought" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) and "away" (נָדַח, nadach): These words together indicate an active effort to persuade or entice someone to leave their faithfulness to the LORD, not just a casual suggestion.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) and "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): These names emphasize that the command is about remaining faithful to the specific God who brought Israel out of Egypt, not just any deity.

Why Deuteronomy 13:10 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the law was meant to protect the entire community from spiritual danger, not just to punish individuals.
  • The emphasis on the LORD as the one who brought Israel out of Egypt highlights the relationship between God and Israel as a rescued people, making turning away from Him a betrayal of that rescue.
  • Understanding the communal aspect of stoning helps explain the seriousness with which ancient Israel treated the threat of idolatry and the shared responsibility to uphold their covenant with God.

Where else these words appear

“stone” Hebrew H5619 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 8:26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us?
  • Deuteronomy 17:5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
  • 2 Samuel 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

“away” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Job 6:13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.