King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 13:11 Mean?

Deuteronomy 13:11 in the King James Version says “And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.”

Deuteronomy 13:11 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

9

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

10

And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. bondage: Heb. bondmen

11

And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

12

If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

13

Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; the children: or, naughty men

Read Deuteronomy 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The purpose: 'And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.' Public execution serves deterrent function—'all Israel shall hear' disseminates warning; 'fear' (yare, יָרֵא, reverence/dread) creates healthy dread of covenant violation; 'shall do no more any such wickedness' prevents repetition. Capital punishment isn't merely retributive but preventative—protecting community from spiritual corruption. The phrase 'such wickedness' (ra'ah, רָעָה, evil) classifies apostasy as moral evil, not merely religious error. Public judgment maintains covenant holiness and deters imitators. Fear of consequences reinforces right behavior.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This principle appears throughout Old Testament: Achan's punishment deterred covenant violation (Joshua 7:25-26); Ananias and Sapphira's deaths created holy fear (Acts 5:11); Paul instructs Timothy to rebuke sinning elders publicly 'that others also may fear' (1 Timothy 5:20). While New Testament church lacks civil authority for capital punishment, public church discipline still functions to warn others (1 Corinthians 5:6-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15). Sin's contagious nature requires decisive action to prevent spread.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does public confrontation of sin serve both justice and deterrence in church communities?
  2. What is the balance between grace toward repentant sinners and firmness toward unrepentant false teachers?
  3. How can healthy fear of sin's consequences coexist with confidence in God's grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְכָל1 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל2 of 11

“And all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

יִשְׁמְע֖וּ3 of 11

“shall hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

וְיִֽרָא֑וּן4 of 11

“and fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

וְלֹֽא5 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוֹסִ֣פוּ6 of 11

“no more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת7 of 11

“and shall do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כַּדָּבָ֥ר8 of 11

“any”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָרָ֛ע9 of 11

“such wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֶּ֖ה10 of 11
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ׃11 of 11

“as this is among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 13:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 13:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 19:20Deuteronomy 17:131 Timothy 5:20Proverbs 19:25Proverbs 21:11

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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