Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

DEUTERONOMY 13:3KJV
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Deuteronomy 13:3 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 13:3 mean?

Deuteronomy 13:3 warns the people not to listen to a prophet or a dreamer who tries to lead them away from God, explaining that the LORD is testing them to see if they truly love Him with all their heart and soul. The verse makes clear that loyalty to God comes before any signs or wonders that might tempt them to follow another path.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, giving them instructions for how to remain faithful to the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) their God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim). The verse addresses the real possibility that someone might claim to have a message from God, even performing wonders, but urges the people to measure everything by their love and loyalty to God alone. This sets the stage for the surrounding passage, which deals with the dangers of being led astray by false spiritual claims.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 13:3

  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ, H8085) means to listen or pay attention with the intent to obey. The word here is not just about hearing, but about responding and following.
  • "Proveth" (נָסָה, nasah, H5254) means to test or try. The verse says the LORD is testing the people, not to trick them, but to reveal the true state of their hearts.
  • "Love" (אָהַב, ahav, H157) is the word used for deep, committed love, not just emotion but loyalty and faithfulness. The test is about whether this kind of love for God is genuine.
  • "Heart" (לֵבָב, levav, H3824) and "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh, H5315) together describe the whole inner life of a person—their thoughts, feelings, desires, and will.

Why Deuteronomy 13:3 matters

  • Deuteronomy 13:3 clarifies that even impressive spiritual experiences or signs are not enough to override faithfulness to God; discernment is required.
  • The verse highlights that God allows tests of faithfulness, not to harm, but to reveal and strengthen the people's love and commitment.
  • This instruction helps the reader understand the seriousness of remaining loyal to God, especially when confronted with persuasive voices or miracles that contradict God's revealed will.

Where else these words appear

“dreamer” Hebrew H2492 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
  • Genesis 41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
  • Psalms 126:1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.

“proveth” Hebrew H5254 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.

“dreams” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

“ye” Hebrew H3426 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
  • 1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
  • Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.