Deuteronomy 18:20

Prophecy Judgment

¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

¹⁹ And I will hold accountable anyone who does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name.

But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

²¹ You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?”

²² 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.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”
KJV: 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.
WEB: But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”
ASV: 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.
DARBY: But the prophet who shall presume to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.
BLB: But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—indeed that prophet must be put to death.

ÅB: Men den profet som i overmot drister seg til å tale noe i mitt navn som jeg ikke har befalt ham å tale, eller som taler i andre guders navn, den profet skal dø.
OTB: Men en profet som våger å tale i mitt navn noe jeg ikke har befalt, eller som taler i andre guders navn, den profeten skal dø."
B1930: Men den profet som i overmot drister sig til å tale noget i mitt navn som jeg ikke har befalt ham å tale, eller som taler i andre guders navn, den profet skal dø.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Deuteronomy 13:1–5
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,
Read in context
Jeremiah 27:15
For I have not sent them, declares the LORD, and yet they are prophesying falsely in My name; therefore I will banish you, and you will perish—you and the prophets who prophesy to you.”
Read in context
Jeremiah 23:31
“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’”
Read in context
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.
Read in context
Ezekiel 13:6
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.
Read in context
Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Read in context
Jeremiah 28:15–17
Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie.
Read in context
Jeremiah 23:13–15
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.
Read in context