Deuteronomy 18:21

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken?

Bible in Basic English

And if you say in your hearts, How are we to be certain that the word does not come from the Lord?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And if in silent thought thou answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath not spoken?

Free Bible Version

You may be wondering, “How can we be sure that a message hasn't come from the Lord?”

Geneva Bible 1599

And if thou thinke in thine heart, Howe shall we knowe the worde which the Lord hath not spoken?

King James (Authorized) Version

And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

One Unity Resource Bible

You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Adonai has not spoken?”

Translation for Translators

But if you say to yourself, ‘How can we know if a message that someone tells us does not come from Yahweh?’

Unlocked Literal Bible

This is what you must say in your heart: 'How will we recognize a message that Yahweh has not spoken?'

Noah Webster Bible

And if thou shalt say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

World English Bible

You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”

Young's Literal Translation

'And when thou sayest in thy heart, How do we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken? —

Context

A Prophet Like Moses

²⁰But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”²¹You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?”²²When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

Summary

In Deuteronomy 18:21, Moses instructs the Israelites on how to discern false prophets from true prophets. He emphasizes the importance of discernment by cautioning against blindly following those who claim to speak for God. This verse underscores the need for testing the words of supposed prophets against the truth of God's Word to avoid being led astray. By following this guidance, the Israelites were able to uphold the purity of their faith and avoid falling into idolatry or deception.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord,.... Says he comes from God, is sent by him, and has a commission from him to say so: if the thing follow not, nor come to pass; as the prophecy of Hananiah, Jer 28:3 that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken; or otherwise it would have come to pass, unless when a condition is either expressed or implied, as the repentance or disobedience of a people; see Jer 18:7. but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; in a bold and daring manner, with great impiety and impudence, out of his own head and heart, being a mere device and imagination of his own, which, not having the fear of God, he delivered as coming from the Lord: thou shall not be afraid of him; not only to reprove him for his wickedness, but also to punish him for it; showing no regard to the high character he assumes, nor to the great pretensions he makes to sanctity, knowledge, and familiarity with God. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 19