Deuteronomy 13:6 Meaning and Explanation
“If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The test extends to the closest family members and most intimate friends, who may secretly try to seduce someone into idolatry.
The Context of Deuteronomy 13:6
Seduction to idolatry may come from those closest to us, relying on love and privacy to undermine faithfulness.
What Does Deuteronomy 13:6 Mean?
The threat now becomes personal and intimate. Not a distant stranger-prophet, but family: your brother (same mother), your child, your spouse, your closest friend—someone as dear as your own soul. The list moves from blood ties to the deepest friendship. The conspirators work secretly, exploiting trust and affection to undermine faith.
This scenario is perhaps the hardest test imaginable. How does one refuse a beloved family member who whispers the call to worship other gods? Yet the law does not exempt the covenant from personal relationships. Loyalty to God supersedes all earthly bonds, a principle tested most acutely in the intimate sphere.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 13:6
What does Deuteronomy 13:6 mean?
The test extends to the closest family members and most intimate friends, who may secretly try to seduce someone into idolatry.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 13:6?
Seduction to idolatry may come from those closest to us, relying on love and privacy to undermine faithfulness.