Deuteronomy 18:22
New International Version
If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.

New Living Translation
If the prophet speaks in the LORD’s name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the LORD did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority and need not be feared.

English Standard Version
when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

Berean Standard Bible
When 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.

King James Bible
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

New King James Version
when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

New American Standard Bible
When the prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you are not to be afraid of him.

NASB 1995
“When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

NASB 1977
“When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Legacy Standard Bible
When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Amplified Bible
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Christian Standard Bible
When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”

American Standard Version
when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Contemporary English Version
You will know, because if the LORD says something will happen, it will happen. And if it doesn't, you will know that the prophet was falsely claiming to speak for the LORD. Don't be afraid of any prophet whose message doesn't come from the LORD.

English Revised Version
when a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If a prophet speaks in the LORD's name and what he says doesn't happen or come true, then it didn't come from the LORD. That prophet has spoken on his own authority. Never be afraid of him.

Good News Translation
If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and what he says does not come true, then it is not the LORD's message. That prophet has spoken on his own authority, and you are not to fear him.

International Standard Version
Whenever a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, and the oracle does not come about or the word is not fulfilled, then the LORD has not spoken it. The prophet will have spoken presumptuously, so you need not fear him."

Majority Standard Bible
When 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.

NET Bible
whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him."

New Heart English Bible
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing doesn't follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.

Webster's Bible Translation
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing doth not follow, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

World English Bible
When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
That which the prophet speaks in the Name of YHWH, and the thing is not, and does not come—it [is] the word which YHWH has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it in presumption; you are not afraid of him.”

Young's Literal Translation
that which the prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, and the thing is not, and cometh not -- it is the word which Jehovah hath not spoken; in presumption hath the prophet spoken it; -- thou art not afraid of him.

Smith's Literal Translation
The prophet who shall speak in the name of Jehovah, and the word shall not be and shall not come, it is the word that Jehovah spake not; in pride the prophet spake it: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt have this sign: Whatsoever that same prophet foretelleth in the name of the Lord, and it cometh not to pass: that thing the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath forged it by the pride of his mind: and therefore thou shalt not fear him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
you shall have this sign. If whatever that prophet predicts in the name of the Lord does not happen, then the Lord has not spoken it. Instead, the prophet has formed it through the swelling of his own mind. And for this reason, you shall not fear him.’ ”

New American Bible
if a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD but the word does not come true, it is a word the LORD did not speak. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not fear him.

New Revised Standard Version
If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, and the thing does not come to pass, nor follow; that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Whenever a Prophet speaks in the Name of LORD JEHOVAH and there is no response and it does not happen, LORD JEHOVAH did not speak that word; the Prophet spoke it in presumption; you shall not revere him.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken; the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Whatsoever words that prophet shall speak in the name of the Lord, and they shall not come true, and not come to pass, this is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; that prophet has spoken wickedly: ye shall not spare him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A New Prophet
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.

Cross References
Jeremiah 28:9
As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.”

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

Ezekiel 13:3
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

1 Kings 22:28
But Micaiah replied, “If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Take heed, all you people!”

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Jeremiah 23:16
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

1 Corinthians 14:29
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
Do not treat prophecies with contempt, / but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Zechariah 13:3
And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.


Treasury of Scripture

When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.

speaketh

Isaiah 41:22
Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

Jeremiah 28:1-14
And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, …

if the thing

Deuteronomy 13:2
And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

2 Kings 20:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

Jonah 3:4
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

presumptuously

Deuteronomy 18:20
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Jeremiah 28:15-17
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie…

shall not

Proverbs 26:2
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

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Deuteronomy 18
1. The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance
3. The priests' due
6. The Levites' portion
9. The abominations of the nations are to be avoided
15. Christ the Prophet is to be heard
20. The presumptuous prophet is to die














When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD
In ancient Israel, prophets were considered messengers of God, tasked with delivering His words to the people. Speaking "in the name of the LORD" implies a claim of divine authority. The role of a prophet was crucial, as they were seen as intermediaries between God and His people. This phrase underscores the seriousness of claiming to speak for God, as it involves invoking His holy name.

and the message does not come to pass or come true
The fulfillment of a prophecy was a key test of its authenticity. In the biblical context, a true prophet's words would align with God's will and come to fruition. This criterion is rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign and His plans are infallible. Historical examples include the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, whose messages were validated by their eventual fulfillment.

that is a message the LORD has not spoken
This phrase emphasizes the distinction between true and false prophecy. If a prophecy fails, it indicates that it was not from God. This serves as a safeguard for the community, protecting them from deception. The Bible warns against false prophets in several passages, such as Jeremiah 23:16-18, where God denounces those who speak visions from their own minds.

The prophet has spoken presumptuously
Presumption in this context refers to arrogance or overstepping one's bounds. A presumptuous prophet acts without divine commission, relying on personal ambition or deceit. This behavior is condemned throughout Scripture, as seen in Ezekiel 13:2-3, where false prophets are criticized for following their own spirit rather than God's.

Do not be afraid of him
This instruction reassures the people that they need not fear false prophets. In a culture where prophetic words could influence national decisions and personal lives, distinguishing true from false prophecy was vital. The command to not fear aligns with the broader biblical theme of trusting in God's protection and guidance, as seen in passages like Isaiah 41:10.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.

2. Prophets
Individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God, delivering messages and prophecies to the people.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The one true God of Israel, who communicates His will and messages through true prophets.

4. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving guidance and laws to live by as they prepare to enter Canaan.

5. Canaan
The Promised Land that the Israelites are about to enter, where they will encounter various challenges and false prophets.
Teaching Points
Discernment of Prophecy
Believers must exercise discernment when evaluating prophetic messages, ensuring they align with God's Word and come to pass.

Authority of God's Word
The ultimate authority for truth is God's Word. Any message or prophecy must be measured against Scripture.

Courage in Truth
Do not fear false prophets. Stand firm in the truth of God's Word and reject messages that do not align with it.

Accountability for Prophets
Those who claim to speak for God are held to a high standard. They must be accountable for the accuracy and truth of their messages.

Role of the Community
The community of believers plays a crucial role in testing and confirming prophetic messages, ensuring they are from God.(22) If the thing follow not, nor come to pass.--This is one form of our Lord's test for all prophets, "By their fruits (i.e., the 'results,' of their teaching, not its first impressions) ye shall know them."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

a prophet
הַנָּבִ֜יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

speaks
יְדַבֵּ֨ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

in the name
בְּשֵׁ֣ם (bə·šêm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and the message
הַדָּבָר֙ (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

does not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come to pass
יִהְיֶ֤ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

or come true,
יָב֔וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

that
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a message
הַדָּבָ֔ר (had·dā·ḇār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

spoken.
דִבְּר֖וֹ (ḏib·bə·rōw)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

The prophet
הַנָּבִ֔יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

has spoken
דִּבְּר֣וֹ (dib·bə·rōw)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

presumptuously.
בְּזָדוֹן֙ (bə·zā·ḏō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2087: Insolence, presumptuousness

Do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be afraid
תָג֖וּר (ṯā·ḡūr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

of him.
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ (mim·men·nū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 18:21
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