Deuteronomy 13:10
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.
Deuteronomy 13:10 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse comes from the Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament of the Bible. In this verse, the punishment of stoning is prescribed for someone who seeks to turn others away from the Lord their God. The act of stoning was a common form of punishment in ancient times, often carried out for serious offenses against the divine law. In this specific case, the punishment is justified because the individual is attempting to lead others away from the one true God who had saved them from slavery in Egypt. The severity of the punishment serves as a deterrent to ensure the purity and obedience of the community to their faith. This verse emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and loyalty to God, highlighting the consequences of turning away from him. It serves as a reminder of the repercussions of leading others astray and the need to uphold the commandments of God with strict adherence.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the severity of the punishment for idolatry in ancient Israel. Stoning was a common form of execution for those who turned away from the one true God. The act of stoning was intended to purify the community and deter others from following in the footsteps of the offender. This verse also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to the Lord as the foundation of the Israelite society. By seeking to lead others astray from the worship of God, the offender was seen as a threat to the spiritual well-being of the entire nation. The word study of "thrust" in this context carries a sense of forcefully or vehemently leading someone away from God, rather than simply influencing them. The use of stoning as the punishment underscores the gravity of the offense in the eyes of God and the community. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which idolatry was viewed in ancient Israel and the consequences of turning away from the true worship of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 13:10 in other translations
American Standard Version
And thou shalt stone him to death with stones, because he hath sought to draw thee away from Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
World English Bible
You shall stone him to death with stones, because he has sought to draw you away from Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Douay-Rheims
With stones shall he be stoned to death: because he would have withdrawn thee from the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage:
Geneva Bible (1599)
And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he dye (because he hath gone about to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of ye land of Egypt, from ye house of bondage)