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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 18:21 You may ask in your heart, "How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/18-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/05_Deu_18_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 18:21 - A New Prophet" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You may ask in your heart, How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm" title="Deuteronomy 18:20">◄</a> Deuteronomy 18:21 <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm" title="Deuteronomy 18:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You may say to yourselves, &#8220How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“But you may wonder, ‘How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the LORD?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?’—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you say in your heart, ‘How will we recognize the word which the LORD has not spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You may say in your heart, &#8216How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you may say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now you may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If you say in your heart, ‘How will we know <i>and</i> recognize the word which the LORD has not spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You may say to yourself, ‘How can we recognize a message the LORD has not spoken? ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You may say to yourself, &#8216How can we recognize a message the LORD has not spoken?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You may be asking yourselves, "How can we tell if a prophet's message really comes from the LORD?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You may be wondering, "How can we recognize that the LORD didn't speak this message?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You may wonder how you can tell when a prophet's message does not come from the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now you may ask yourselves, 'How will we be able to discern that the LORD has not spoken?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You may ask in your heart, ?How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now if you say to yourselves, 'How can we tell that a message is not from the LORD?'--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If you say in your heart, "How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if thou shalt say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And when you say in your heart, How do we know the word which YHWH has not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And when thou sayest in thy heart, How do we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken? -- <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And when thou shalt say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah spake not?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if in silent thought thou answer: How shall I know the word that the Lord hath not spoken? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if, in silent thought, you respond: “How will I be able to recognize a word which the Lord has not spoken?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Should you say to yourselves, “How can we recognize that a word is one the LORD has not spoken?”,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the LORD has not spoken?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you say in your heart: ‘How shall I know the word that LORD JEHOVAH has not spoken?.’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And if thou say in thy heart: 'How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But if thou shalt say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5234" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/18.htm">A New Prophet</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>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.” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: wə·ḵî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ṯō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">You may ask</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: bil·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">in your heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: nê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">can we recognize</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a message</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">has not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: ḏib·bə·rōw (V-Piel-Perf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">spoken?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-20.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:20-21</a></span><br />Do not treat prophecies with contempt, / but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-3.htm">Ezekiel 13:3</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22-23</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a></span><br />For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a></span><br />“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-29.htm">1 Corinthians 14:29</a></span><br />Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-20.htm">Isaiah 8:20</a></span><br />To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a></span><br />Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/28-9.htm">Jeremiah 28:9</a></span><br />As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only if the word of the prophet comes true will the prophet be recognized as one the LORD has truly sent.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></span><br />For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-2.htm">Zechariah 13:2-3</a></span><br />And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. / 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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-24.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:24</a></b></br> Faithful <i>is</i> he that calleth you, who also will do <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1-3</a></b></br> Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/2-2.htm">Revelation 2:2</a></b></br> I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/18-13.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-6.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/numbers/23-16.htm">Message</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Word</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-15.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-3.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Message</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Word</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-2.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">The LORD is the priests and Levites' inheritance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-3.htm">The priests' due</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-6.htm">The Levites' portion</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">The abominations of the nations are to be avoided</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-15.htm">Christ the Prophet is to be heard</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">The presumptuous prophet is to die</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You may ask in your heart</b><br>This phrase suggests an internal reflection or concern among the Israelites. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was considered the center of thought and decision-making, not just emotion. This reflects the importance of discernment in spiritual matters. The Israelites were encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding from God, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which emphasizes trusting in the Lord with all one's heart.<p><b>“How can we recognize a message</b><br>The need for discernment is highlighted here. In a time when many claimed to speak for various gods, distinguishing a true message from God was crucial. This echoes the New Testament teaching in 1 <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4:1</a>, which advises believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. The Israelites were given criteria to evaluate prophetic messages, emphasizing the importance of truth and alignment with God's revealed word.<p><b>that the LORD has not spoken?”</b><br>This phrase underscores the reality of false prophets and the danger they posed. In <a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20</a>, the penalty for false prophecy was death, indicating the seriousness of speaking presumptuously in God's name. The true test of a prophet, as outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Deuteronomy 18:22</a>, was whether their predictions came to pass. This points to the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the prophecies concerning the Messiah, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a> and <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who are receiving guidance on how to discern true prophecy from false prophecy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/prophets.htm">Prophets</a></b><br>Individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God. This verse addresses the need to discern true prophets from false ones.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter. This context is crucial as they will encounter various cultures and religious practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_prophecy.htm">False Prophecy</a></b><br>The event or situation where a message is claimed to be from God but is not. This verse provides guidance on how to identify such messages.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_is_essential.htm">Discernment is Essential</a></b><br>Believers must cultivate a discerning heart to recognize messages that are truly from God. This involves prayer, study of Scripture, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_prophecies.htm">Testing Prophecies</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were instructed, Christians today should test prophecies and teachings against the truth of Scripture. If a message contradicts God's Word, it is not from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping believers discern truth from falsehood. Relying on the Spirit's guidance is vital in navigating spiritual teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_in_community.htm">Accountability in Community</a></b><br>Engaging with a community of believers provides accountability and collective wisdom in discerning true messages from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a></b><br>In a world with many voices claiming divine authority, believers must be vigilant and guard their hearts against deception by staying rooted in biblical truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_false_prophecies.htm">What does the Bible say about false prophecies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_nomina_sacra.htm">How can you purify your hearts, double-minded ones?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_true_prophets_of_god.htm">If Ezekiel 13:10 condemns prophets who proclaim “Peace” when there is none, how do we verify which prophet is truly speaking on behalf of God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_prophetic_ministry.htm">What defines a prophetic ministry?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21, 22.</span> - The test by which it was to be discovered which was the true prophet and which the false, was the fulfillment or non-fulfillment of his prediction. The reference here is to the prediction of proximate events - events that were to happen within a limited period, but which were not such as one not divinely instructed could foresee. When such came to pass, the pretensions of the prophet were thereby substantiated, and his authority established (cf. <a href="/1_samuel/3-19.htm">1 Samuel 3:19</a>; <a href="/john/2-18.htm">John 2:18</a>, etc.). This was a more certain test than such as was offered by signs and wonders (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-2.htm">Deuteronomy 13:2</a>, etc.). <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You may ask</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאמַ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bil·ḇā·ḇe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“How</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can we recognize</span><br /><span class="heb">נֵדַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(nê·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a message</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spoken?”</span><br /><span class="heb">דִבְּר֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḏib·bə·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 18:21 If you say in your heart How (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 18:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 18:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 18:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 18:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>