What Does Deuteronomy 13:1 Mean in the King James?

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

Deuteronomy 13:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The warning begins with a voice rising from within your own circle, where nearness and a striking sign can feel like proof.

THE MEANING

A voice can arise close to you, even from within your own community, and offer a sign that feels conclusive. Its nearness and its wonder do not by themselves tell you where it leads.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A striking sign proves that the voice behind it is trustworthy.

THE ROOT

בְּקִרְבְּךָ

beqirbekha

GROWS FROM

ק־ר־ב

q-r-b

to draw near, approach

The phrase rendered “among you” is built on a root whose basic motion is drawing near. The verse places the sign-bearing voice in the community’s midst: proximity is part of the scene, but it does not establish the voice’s direction.

ALSO GROWS

qerev: midst; inward part

קֶרֶב

This is the noun behind “among you,” locating the voice inside the community’s near space.

qarav: draw near; approach

קָרַב

The verb reveals the motion contained in the idea of being “among” someone: coming close.

korban: drawing near; an offering brought near

קָרְבָּן

The same root links nearness with what is brought forward, echoing how the prophet presents a sign to you.

THE PATTERN

A sign can be compelling without being sufficient to establish the truth of the voice behind it.

And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

Deuteronomy 13:2 · KJVEven when the sign comes to pass, the following words reveal that its success alone does not establish the voice as trustworthy.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24 · KJVGreat signs and wonders can accompany a voice that deceives, so their force alone cannot settle what the voice serves.

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2:9 · KJVSigns and wonders can appear with power while serving deception.

THE THREAD

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 · KJV

Deuteronomy’s “among you” is ⁨בְּקִרְבְּךָ⁩ (beqirbekha), from the same ⁨קרב⁩ root as “within me” in this verse. The shared root turns nearness inward: one verse places the voice in the community’s midst, while the other speaks of renewal within the self.

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