Deuteronomy 13:9

Deuteronomy 13:9 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

King James Version KJV

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

American Standard Version ASV

but thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But put him to death without question; let your hand be the first stretched out against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

Free Bible Version FBV

No, you absolutely must kill them! You start killing them, and then have everyone else help.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But thou shalt euen kill him: thine hand shall be first vpon him to put him to death, and then the handes of all the people.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'But thou dost surely kill him; thy hand is on him, in the first place, to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last;

World English Bible WEB

but you shall surely kill him. Your hand shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

But thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But thou shalt presently put him to death. It Let thy hand be first upon him, and afterwards the hands of all the people.

Translation for Translators T4T

Execute them! You who are their relative must be the first one to throw stones at them to kill them, and then let everyone else [MTY] throw stones at them, too.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 13:9

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 13:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB לֹא תֹאבֶ֣ה ל֔/וֹ וְ/לֹ֥א תִשְׁמַ֖ע אֵלָ֑י/ו וְ/לֹא תָח֤וֹס עֵֽינְ/ךָ֙ עָלָ֔י/ו וְ/לֹֽא תַחְמֹ֥ל וְ/לֹֽא תְכַסֶּ֖ה עָלָֽי/ו

לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part

תֹאבֶ֣ה ʼâbâh H14 be willing V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

ל֔/וֹ Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תִשְׁמַ֖ע shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

אֵלָ֑י/ו ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תָח֤וֹס chûwç H2347 to pity V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

עֵֽינְ/ךָ֙ ʻayin H5869 eye N-cs | Suff

עָלָ֔י/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תַחְמֹ֥ל châmal H2550 to spare V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

תְכַסֶּ֖ה kâçâh H3680 to cover V-Piel-Imperf-2ms

עָלָֽי/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 13:9

לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תֹאבֶ֣ה ʼâbâh H14 "be willing" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

To be willing or consent is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which involves being acquiescent or accepting. It is used in various contexts, including being willing to obey or follow.

Definition: 1) to be willing, consent 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be willing 1a2) to consent, yield to, accept 1a3) to desire

Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: consent, rest content will, be willing. See also: Genesis 24:5; 2 Samuel 14:29; Psalms 81:12.

ל֔/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

וְ/לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תִשְׁמַ֖ע shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.

Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.

אֵלָ֑י/ו ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

וְ/לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תָח֤וֹס chûwç H2347 "to pity" V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

To pity or have compassion on someone means to show kindness and care for their well-being, like God's compassion for his people. It involves covering or protecting them from harm.

Definition: (Qal) to pity, have compassion, spare, look upon with compassion

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: pity, regard, spare. See also: Genesis 45:20; Ezekiel 5:11; Psalms 72:13.

עֵֽינְ/ךָ֙ ʻayin H5869 "eye" N-cs | Suff

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

עָלָ֔י/ו ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תַחְמֹ֥ל châmal H2550 "to spare" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

To spare or have pity is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, as seen in Genesis 43:14, where Joseph spares his brothers. It shows compassion and mercy towards others.

Definition: (Qal) to spare, pity, have compassion on

Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: have compassion, (have) pity, spare. See also: Exodus 2:6; Jeremiah 21:7; Proverbs 6:34.

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

תְכַסֶּ֖ה kâçâh H3680 "to cover" V-Piel-Imperf-2ms

To cover something means to fill up hollows or hide something from view, as seen in many biblical stories. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, such as to cover oneself with clothing or to conceal something for protection. It can also mean to overwhelm or spread over something.

Definition: 1) to cover, conceal, hide 1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cover, clothe 1c2) to cover, conceal 1c3) to cover (for protection) 1c4) to cover over, spread over 1c5) to cover, overwhelm 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be covered 1d2) to be clothed 1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself

Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare H3780 (כָּשָׂה). See also: Genesis 7:19; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:5.

עָלָֽי/ו ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 13:9

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 13:9 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 13:9
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 13:9
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 13:9
Sermons on Deuteronomy 13:9

Context — Idolaters to Be Put to Death

7the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), 8you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him.

9Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

10Stone him to death for trying to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 11Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Acts 7:58	They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
2	Luke 14:26	“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
3	Matthew 10:37	Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
4	John 8:7	When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.”
5	Deuteronomy 17:2–7	If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death. On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness. The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 13:9 Summary

[This verse is talking about what to do if someone tries to get us to stop following God and start following other gods instead. We are to take a strong stand against this and not give in to their influence, as seen in Deuteronomy 13:8. This is because our loyalty to God is the most important thing, and we should prioritize it above all else, as encouraged in Matthew 22:37-38. By doing so, we can help to protect ourselves and those around us from turning away from God.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does God command the Israelites to kill someone who tries to turn them away from Him?

This command is given to protect the Israelites from idolatry and to maintain their covenant with God, as seen in Deuteronomy 13:10, which references the LORD who brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and in Exodus 20:3, which commands them to have no other gods before Him.

Is this verse still applicable today?

While the specific command to kill someone who tries to turn us away from God is not directly applicable today, the principle of prioritizing our loyalty to God and being cautious of those who would lead us astray is still relevant, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 and 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

What does it mean to 'not yield' to someone who tries to turn us away from God?

Not yielding means to not give in or succumb to their influence, as seen in Deuteronomy 13:8, and instead to stand firm in our faith, as encouraged in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Corinthians 16:13.

How can we balance the command to 'not spare' someone with the command to 'love our neighbors'?

This balance is seen in the context of Deuteronomy 13, where the command to not spare is given in the context of protecting the community from idolatry, whereas the command to love our neighbors is given in the context of personal relationships, as seen in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I may be subtly turning away from God, and how can I correct my path?
How can I prioritize my loyalty to God in my daily life, and what are some potential challenges I may face?
What does it mean to 'show no pity' to someone who is trying to lead me astray, and how can I balance this with the command to love my enemies?
In what ways can I be a positive influence on those around me, and help to prevent them from turning away from God?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 13:9

But thou shalt surely kill him,.... Not privately and secretly, when and where he entices, nor the enticed himself by his own authority, but after being examined, judged, and condemned by the civil

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 13:9

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9

Thou shalt surely kill him; not privately, which pretence would have opened the door to innumerable murders, but by procuring his death by the sentence of the magistrate; and thou shalt cast the first stone at him, as the witness was to do. See .

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9

Deuteronomy 13:9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.Ver. 9. Kill him,] i.e., Deliver him up to the magistrate to be killed; for he bears not the sword in vain, like St Paul in a glass window, or George on a signpost.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:9

(9) Thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death.—A law tending to prevent false accusation. Where the witness is obliged to carry out himself, or to aid in carrying out, the sentence he demands, secret accusation is impossible; and it is far less easy to pervert the law in order to prosecute a private quarrel.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 13:9

6–11 (7–12 in Heb.). Against Israelites, who entice to Strange Gods A subtler source of seduction to idolatry may be found in one’s own kith and kin: one of the many proofs of D’s sympathy with, and understanding of, the influences of family life. Deuteronomy 13:6. If thy brother, the son of thy mother] With Sam. and LXX, after brother add the son of thy father or; so that both full brother and half-brother are included. or thy son, or thy daughter] Completing the blood relations (very significantly and characteristically father and mother are not mentioned as possible sources of temptation) only after whom we come to— or the wife of thy bosom] Deuteronomy 28:54; Deuteronomy 28:56, cp. ‘Mi.’ Deuteronomy 7:5 : a tribute (cp. daughter) to the spiritual influence of women in D’s view. As a matter of fact the danger was as great here as anywhere else. or thy friend, which is as thine own soul] or self. 1 Samuel 18:1; 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 20:17. entice] or allure, in D only here. secretly] In contrast to the public enticements of the prophet. saying, Let us go, etc.] See on Deuteronomy 13:2. Deuteronomy 13:7. of the gods of the peoples which are round about you] The Pl. you (confirmed by LXX) shows that the words which are round-about-you are merely an editorial echo of Deu 6:14, and ought to be deleted; they are unnecessary and awkward with the following nigh unto thee, etc. or far off from thee, etc.] By the 8th and 7th centuries (under Ahaz and Manasseh) the evil influence of cults of peoples at a distance had been added to those of the Canaanites, prevalent in the previous centuries. Deuteronomy 13:8. consent] be willing, cp. Deuteronomy 1:26. neither shalt thine eye pity him] Deuteronomy 7:16, Deuteronomy 19:13; Deuteronomy 19:21, Deuteronomy 25:12. spare] In D only here. conceal] That is by silence (Psalms 32:5; Psalms 40:11): cp. secretly, Deuteronomy 13:6. Deuteronomy 13:9. thou shalt surely kill him] No such previous procedure as in Deuteronomy 17:4 is necessary in this case, for the persons commanded to slay are themselves witnesses of the fact. Note, however, that LXX has here, thou shalt report or denounce him (ἀναγγέλλωνἀναγγελεῖςπερὶαὐτοῦ) which is possible by a small change in the consonants of the Hebrew text. thine hand shall be first upon him] As that of the witness of his crime and also because the family responsibility precedes that of the people. But— afterwards the hand of all the people] For throughout D the people is the ultimate judiciary: see on Deuteronomy 1:13, Deuteronomy 16:18. Deuteronomy 13:10. stone him with stones] Also in Deuteronomy 17:5, Deuteronomy 21:21, Deuteronomy 22:21; Deuteronomy 22:24 : cp. Joshua 7:25. This form of capital punishment was natural because of the ready supply of stones on the soil of Palestine, because it was a form in which all the people responsible for its execution could share, and also because of the belief that by covering the corpses the spirits of the dead were also finally laid to rest.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 13:9

	Sermon	Description
	The Will of God - Part 3 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of having a vision and purpose in the Christian life. He uses the example of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall to illustrate
	Acts #8: The Church, Paul, the Local Aspect by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of learning practical lessons before trying to fulfill a vision from God. He uses the example of Saul, who became the apostle
	The Great White Throne by E.A. Johnston	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Great White Throne Judgment, a solemn event where all of mankind will be brought before God for review. The sermon explores the judge who
	(Acts) the Conversion of Saul by Brian Brodersen	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the conversion of Saul, who was persecuting the early church. Saul's transformation from a fierce persecutor to a humble follower of Christ
	Chief of Sinners by Joshua Daniel	This sermon by Joshua Daniel emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of sin, the significance of the cross in crucifying our old selves, and the call for moral responsibility
	The Loss When a Soul Is Lost by Charles Finney	The preacher emphasizes the importance of believers putting aside their old ways and sinful behaviors, urging them to cease doing what they are accustomed to and to throw off these
	Exposition on Psalm 59 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches about the conversion of the Jews and Gentiles, highlighting the importance of humility and the dangers of pride. He discusses the sins of the Jews, their bli