Deuteronomy 18:21 - You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”
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What does "Deuteronomy 18:21" mean?
Deuteronomy 18:21, "You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”" is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) that deals with identifying true prophets versus false prophets.
The verse highlights a legitimate concern the Israelites might have: how can they distinguish between a genuine message from God (spoken by a true prophet) and a false message invented by someone claiming to speak for God?
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"You may say in your heart...": This indicates that the question is a thought or concern that might naturally arise in the minds of the Israelites. They're being given a way to test prophecy, understanding the potential for deception.
"...How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?": This is the core of the question. It's about discernment. How can they tell the difference between a prophecy that actually comes from God and one that is fabricated or misrepresented? It's a practical and essential question, because acting on false prophecy could lead them astray, into dangerous or wrong actions.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for a discussion about testing prophecy and provides the Israelites with a means of distinguishing truth from falsehood. The following verses (Deuteronomy 18:22) then give the answer to that question:
Deuteronomy 18:22: "When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing doesn't happen or come to pass, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him."
Therefore, the combined verses mean:
The Israelites might reasonably wonder how to tell the difference between a true prophecy and a false one. The answer is that a true prophecy will come to pass. If a prophet claims to speak for God, but their prediction does not materialize, then that prophecy is not from God, and the people should not fear that prophet.
Key takeaway:
This verse underscores the importance of discernment and testing claims of divine authority. It provides a practical method for the Israelites to protect themselves from being misled by false prophets, a method still valuable for anyone examining claims of divine guidance today.
Deuteronomy 18:21 - You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”
What does "Deuteronomy 18:21" mean?
Deuteronomy 18:21, "You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”" is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) that deals with identifying true prophets versus false prophets.
The verse highlights a legitimate concern the Israelites might have: how can they distinguish between a genuine message from God (spoken by a true prophet) and a false message invented by someone claiming to speak for God?
Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"You may say in your heart...": This indicates that the question is a thought or concern that might naturally arise in the minds of the Israelites. They're being given a way to test prophecy, understanding the potential for deception.
"...How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?": This is the core of the question. It's about discernment. How can they tell the difference between a prophecy that actually comes from God and one that is fabricated or misrepresented? It's a practical and essential question, because acting on false prophecy could lead them astray, into dangerous or wrong actions.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for a discussion about testing prophecy and provides the Israelites with a means of distinguishing truth from falsehood. The following verses (Deuteronomy 18:22) then give the answer to that question:
Deuteronomy 18:22: "When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing doesn't happen or come to pass, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him."
Therefore, the combined verses mean:
The Israelites might reasonably wonder how to tell the difference between a true prophecy and a false one. The answer is that a true prophecy will come to pass. If a prophet claims to speak for God, but their prediction does not materialize, then that prophecy is not from God, and the people should not fear that prophet.
Key takeaway:
This verse underscores the importance of discernment and testing claims of divine authority. It provides a practical method for the Israelites to protect themselves from being misled by false prophets, a method still valuable for anyone examining claims of divine guidance today.