you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock. you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword.This command is part of the laws given to Israel regarding idolatry and apostasy. The context is a city within Israel that has turned to worship other gods. The phrase emphasizes the seriousness of idolatry and the need for purity among God's people. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where idolatry was seen as spiritual adultery. The command to use the sword indicates a complete and decisive action against sin, reflecting the holiness and justice of God. This can be connected to the New Testament's call for spiritual vigilance against false teachings ( 1 Corinthians 5:6-7). Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.
The term "devote to destruction" (Hebrew: "herem") signifies a total consecration to God, often through destruction. This was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, where conquered cities and their goods were dedicated to a deity. In Israel's context, it served to remove the influence of idolatry and prevent the spread of sin. The inclusion of livestock underscores the thoroughness of the judgment, leaving nothing that could be used or profited from. This reflects the principle of complete separation from sin, as seen in the call for believers to be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). The destruction also prefigures the final judgment, where all that opposes God will be eradicated (Revelation 20:11-15). Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. CanaanThe land promised to the Israelites, where they are to establish a society based on God's laws. 4. Idolatrous CityA city within Israel that has turned to worship other gods, leading to the command for its destruction. 5. God's CommandThe divine instruction to eliminate idolatry and maintain purity in worship. Teaching Points The Seriousness of IdolatryIdolatry is a grave sin that leads people away from God. The command to destroy an idolatrous city underscores the seriousness with which God views the worship of other gods. Purity of WorshipGod desires pure and undivided worship. The Israelites were to be a holy people, set apart for God, and this required the removal of any influences that could lead them astray. Community ResponsibilityThe entire community is responsible for maintaining faithfulness to God. This passage highlights the collective responsibility to address sin and idolatry within the community. God’s Justice and MercyWhile the command seems harsh, it reflects God's justice in dealing with sin. It also points to His mercy in preserving the purity of His people and preventing further spiritual corruption. Modern ApplicationToday, believers are called to examine their lives and communities for anything that might lead them away from God. This includes addressing false teachings and influences that compromise faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command in Deuteronomy 13:15 reflect God's view of idolatry, and what implications does this have for us today? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "devoting to destruction" in our personal lives when dealing with sin? 3. How does the concept of community responsibility in Deuteronomy 13:15 relate to the New Testament teachings on church discipline? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that can lead believers away from God, and how can we guard against them? 5. How do the events in Deuteronomy 13:15 foreshadow the ultimate victory over sin and idolatry through Jesus Christ? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 34:12-16Warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the land to prevent idolatry. Joshua 6:17-21The destruction of Jericho as an example of devoting a city to destruction. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7Paul’s teaching on purging sin from the community, drawing a parallel to removing idolatry. Revelation 2:14-16Jesus' message to the church in Pergamum about tolerating false teachings and idolatry. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, EgyptTopics Arms, Cattle, Completely, Curse, Destroy, Destroying, Destruction, Devoting, Edge, Inhabitants, Livestock, Mouth, Smite, Strike, Surely, Sword, Therein, Thereof, Town, UtterlyDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 13:15 5586 town Deuteronomy 13:12-15 1461 truth, nature of Library Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober Reason,
appears of itself highly credible and probable, and abundantly recommends itself in its native simplicity, merely by its own intrinsic goodness and excellency, to the practice of the most rational and considering men, who are desirous in all their actions to have satisfaction and comfort and good hope within themselves, from the conscience of what they do: So it is moreover positively and directly proved to be actually and immediately sent to us from God, by the many infallible signs and miracles …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of GodKnox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution, 1556-1558
Knox was about this time summoned to be one of the preachers to the English at Geneva. He sent in advance Mrs. Bowes and his wife, visited Argyll and Glenorchy (now Breadalbane), wrote (July 7) an epistle bidding the brethren be diligent in reading and discussing the Bible, and went abroad. His effigy was presently burned by the clergy, as he had not appeared in answer to a second summons, and he was outlawed in absence. It is not apparent that Knox took any part in the English translation of the …
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation With, Before, After
'Enoch walked with God,'--GENESIS v. 22. 'Walk before Me.'--GENESIS xvii. 1. 'Ye shall walk after the Lord your God.'--DEUTERONOMY xiii. 4. You will have anticipated, I suppose, my purpose in doing what I very seldom do--cutting little snippets out of different verses and putting them together. You see that these three fragments, in their resemblances and in their differences, are equally significant and instructive. They concur in regarding life as a walk--a metaphor which expresses continuity, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Feeding of the Four Thousand - to Dalmanutha - the Sign from Heaven' - Journey to Cæsarea Philippi - what is the Leaven of The
THEY might well gather to Jesus in their thousands, with their wants of body and soul, these sheep wandering without a shepherd; for His Ministry in that district, as formerly in Galilee, was about to draw to a close. And here it is remarkable, that each time His prolonged stay and Ministry in a district were brought to a close with some supper, so to speak, some festive entertainment on his part. The Galilean Ministry had closed with the feeding of the five thousand, the guests being mostly from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely Religious, and Pertaining to the Conscience.
Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters purely Religious, and pertaining to the Conscience. Since God hath assumed to himself the power and Dominion of the Conscience, who alone can rightly instruct and govern it, therefore it is not lawful [1226] for any whosoever, by virtue of any authority or principality they bear in the government of this world, to force the consciences of others; and therefore all killing, banishing, fining, imprisoning, and other such things which are inflicted …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 13:15 NIVDeuteronomy 13:15 NLTDeuteronomy 13:15 ESVDeuteronomy 13:15 NASBDeuteronomy 13:15 KJV
Deuteronomy 13:15 Commentaries
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