Deuteronomy 18:20

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אַ֣ךְ הַנָּבִ֡יא אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָזִיד֩ לְדַבֵּ֨ר דָּבָ֜ר בִּשְׁמִ֗י אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא־צִוִּיתִיו֙ לְדַבֵּ֔ר וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔ר בְּשֵׁ֖ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וּמֵ֖ת הַנָּבִ֥יא הַהֽוּא׃

Transliteration

But the-navi who yazid to-ledabber davar in-shemi et which not-tzivitiv to-ledabber, and-which yedabber in-shem elohim acherim; and-met the-navi the-that.

Grammar Details

• *navi*: noun, masculine, singular - prophet
• *yazid*: imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, hiphil - he presumes
• *ledabber*: infinitive construct, piel - to speak
• *davar*: noun, masculine, singular - word
• *shemi*: noun, masculine, singular + 1st singular suffix - my name
• *et*: direct object marker
• *tzivitiv*: perfect, 1st singular, piel + 3rd masculine singular suffix - I commanded him
• *yedabber*: imperfect, 3rd masculine singular, piel - he speaks
• *shem*: noun, masculine, singular construct - name of
• *elohim*: noun, masculine, plural - gods
• *acherim*: adjective, masculine, plural - other
• *met*: perfect, 3rd masculine singular, qal - he shall die

Word Meanings

• *yazid*: presumes/acts presumptuously/is insolent
• *davar*: word/thing/matter
• *elohim acherim*: other gods/foreign deities

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

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

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But the prophet, who shall presume to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But the prophet,{H5030} that shall speak{H1696} a word{H1697} presumptuously{H2102} in my name,{H8034} which I have not commanded{H6680} him to speak,{H1696} or that shall speak{H1696} in the name{H8034} of other{H312} gods,{H430} that same prophet{H5030} shall die.{H4191}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But the prophet{H5030}, which shall presume{H2102}{(H8686)} to speak{H1696}{(H8763)} a word{H1697} in my name{H8034}, which I have not commanded{H6680}{(H8765)} him to speak{H1696}{(H8763)}, or that shall speak{H1696}{(H8762)} in the name{H8034} of other{H312} gods{H430}, even that prophet{H5030} shall die{H4191}{(H8804)}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  But the prophete which shall presume to speake ought in my name which I commaunded him not to speake, and he that speaketh in the name of straunge Goddes, the same prophete shall dye.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But yf a prophete presume to speake ought in my name, which I haue not comauded him to speake: and he that speaketh in ye name of other goddes, yt same prophete shal dye.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  But the prophet that shall presume to speake a worde in my name, which I haue not commanded him to speake, or that speaketh in the name of other gods, euen the same prophet shall die.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  But the prophete which shall presume to speake a worde in my name, which I haue not comaunded hym to speake, or that speaketh in the name of strauge gods, the same prophete shall dye.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `Only, the prophet who presumeth to speak a word in My name -- that which I have not commanded him to speak -- and who speaketh in the name of other gods -- even that prophet hath died.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But the prophet who takes it on himself to say words in my name which I have not given him orders to say, or who says anything in the name of other gods, will come to his death.

• World English Bible (2000)

  But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die."

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  “But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have not authorized him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die.

Referenced Verses

• Deut 13:1-5 : 1 You must carefully follow everything I am commanding you. Do not add to it or take away from it. 2 If a prophet or someone who has dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 3 and the sign or wonder he spoke to you about comes true, saying, 'Let us follow other gods, whom you have not known, and let us worship them,' 4 you must not listen to that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you truly love Him with all your heart and all your soul. 5 You must follow the LORD your God, fear Him, keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
• Jer 23:13-15 : 13 Among the prophets of Samaria I saw something disgraceful: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. 14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from their wickedness. They have all become to Me like Sodom, and the inhabitants like Gomorrah. 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: Behold, I will make them eat bitter wormwood and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.
• Zech 13:3 : 3 If anyone still prophesies on that day, his father and mother—those who gave birth to him—will say to him, ‘You must die, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.’ Then his parents, who brought him into the world, will pierce him through when he prophesies.
• Matt 7:15 : 15 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
• 2 Pet 2:12 : 12 These people, however, are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They speak abusively about things they do not understand, and in their destruction, they too will be destroyed.
• Rev 19:20 : 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf. By these signs he had deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.
• Jer 23:31 : 31 Yes, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who wag their tongues and declare, ‘This is the LORD’s declaration.’
• Jer 27:15 : 15 For I have not sent them, declares the LORD, yet they prophesy lies in my name, so that I might drive you out, and you will perish—you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.
• Jer 28:15-17 : 15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, 'Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you have led this people to trust in falsehood.' 16 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.' 17 And the prophet Hananiah died that same year, in the seventh month.
• Ezek 13:6 : 6 They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is the declaration of the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and they hope to fulfill their words.
• 1 Kgs 18:19 : 19 Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.
• 1 Kgs 18:27 : 27 At noon, Elijah began to mock them, saying, 'Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.'
• 1 Kgs 18:40 : 40 Then Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Do not let any of them escape." So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.
• Jer 2:8 : 8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who handle the law did not know me; the shepherds rebelled against me; the prophets prophesied by Baal and followed worthless things.
• Jer 14:14-15 : 14 The LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in My name. I did not send them, command them, or speak to them. They are seeing false visions, giving worthless divinations and deceitful messages from their own hearts. 15 Therefore, this is what the LORD says about the prophets who prophesy in My name, though I did not send them, and who declare, 'No sword or famine will touch this land': By sword and famine, those prophets will meet their end.