And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

DEUTERONOMY 13:5KJV
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Deuteronomy 13:5 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 13:5 mean?

Deuteronomy 13:5 commands the Israelites to put to death any prophet or dreamer who tries to turn them away from the LORD their God, because such a person is leading them away from the path God commanded. This action is described as necessary to remove evil from among the people.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. The context is a warning against anyone—no matter how spiritual they seem—who encourages worship of other gods. The verse emphasizes loyalty to the LORD (Yahweh), who brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt, and stresses the seriousness of remaining faithful to Him.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 13:5

  • "Prophet" (נָבִיא, navi’) refers to someone who claims to speak for God. Here, even a prophet is not above scrutiny if they lead people astray.
  • "Dreamer" (חֹלֵם, cholem) and "dreams" (חֲלוֹם, chalom) point to someone who claims authority through visions or supernatural experiences. The verse warns that such experiences are not proof of truth if they contradict God’s commands.
  • "Turn" (סָרָה, sarah) means to lead away or cause to depart. The concern is not just about false ideas, but about someone actively pulling others off the path God set.
  • "Put…away" (בָּעַר, ba’ar) is a strong word meaning to remove or purge. The goal is to protect the community’s faithfulness by removing the source of evil.

Why Deuteronomy 13:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that spiritual claims or miraculous signs are not enough to override God’s revealed commands; loyalty to the LORD is the highest standard.
  • Deuteronomy 13:5 highlights the seriousness with which Israel was to guard its relationship with God, especially as they entered a land full of competing religious ideas.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Deuteronomy of choosing faithfulness to God over any other influence, even if that influence comes from respected or persuasive people.

Where else these words appear

“turn” Hebrew H5627 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 19:16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
  • Isaiah 14:6 He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
  • Isaiah 59:13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

“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.

“redeemed” Hebrew H6299 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.
  • 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
  • Psalms 55:18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

“thrust” 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.