Deuteronomy 13:5
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 13:5
This verse states explicit consequences for prophets or dreamers who lead people away from the Lord: they are to be put to death because they have spoken to turn the people aside from the Lord who brought them out of Egypt. The severity reflects a community-wide commitment to covenant faithfulness and the seriousness with which idolatry is treated. The directive is not arbitrary punishment but protection of the people from deadly spiritual deception and the erosion of divine rescue history.
Theologically, it emphasizes the sanctity of the covenant and the danger of leading others away from Yahweh. It also reinforces communal responsibility for keeping the community wholesome and aligned with God’s purpose. While unsettling to modern sensibilities, it underscores the seriousness with which God regards idolatry and apostasy and the lengths to which a community must go to preserve fidelity to the Lord.
Today, we approach this with careful ethical interpretation: the New Testament reframes the believer’s response to false teaching through grace, correction, and gospel proclamation rather than capital punishment. The principle remains: leading others away from the Lord is a grave offense with serious consequences in community life. Practical applications include church discipline in love, accountability structures, and clear teaching that corrects error while embodying Christ’s mercy. The goal is restoration and fidelity, not vindictive punishment.
Cross-References: Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 3:10-11; Galatians 5:19-21