Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 13

Verse 1

If, &c. Beginning of Moses' fourth address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:1 .

Verse 3

proveth: i.e. suffereth you to be proved. Hebrew idiom, which speaks of doing what one allows to be done.

your soul = yourself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 4

cleave. Compare Deuteronomy 10:20 .

Verse 5

bondage = bondmen. See note on Deuteronomy 5:6 . eleven times in this book.

So shalt thou put. . . away. This expression occurs put . . . away. Hebrew. ba'ar, to burn up in order to clear out.

the evil = the wicked thing. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 .

Verse 6

own soul = own self. Hebrew. nephesh , Hebrew. nephesh . App-13 .

entice . . . secretly. Both (Hebrew) words used here.

Verse 8

eye. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia, App-6 .

Verse 11

wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a'.

Verse 12

hath given = giveth.

Verse 13

men. Hebrew, plural of ' ish or 'enosh. App-14 .

children = sons.

Belial. First occurrence. A word denoting all that is wicked and worthless; hopeless, as to character and destiny. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy, App-6 , for the Evil One as the instigator of all the uncleanness of heathenism. Compare 2 Corinthians 6:15 .

Verse 14

diligently = thoroughly. Occurs only here and Deuteronomy 17:4 ; Deuteronomy 19:18 .

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 15

destroying = exterminating. Hebrew. haram .

edge. Hebrew "mouth". Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for edge.

Verse 16

burn = burn up. Hebrew. saraph.

heap for ever. Compare Joshua 8:28 .

Verse 17

cursed = devoted [to destruction]. Compare Joshua 6:18 ; Joshua 7:1 .

as = according as.

Verse 18

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .