Deuteronomy 18:13
Deuteronomy 18:13 in Multiple Translations
You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt be perfect with Jehovah thy God.
You are to be upright in heart before the Lord your God.
You are to be innocent of such things in the presence of the Lord your God.
Thou shalt be vpright therefore with the Lord thy God.
Perfect thou art with Jehovah thy God,
You shall be blameless with the LORD your God.
Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
Thou shalt be perfect, and without spot before the Lord thy God.
But you must always avoid doing any of those things.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 18:13
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 18:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תָּמִ֣ים
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה
עִ֖ם
יְהוָ֥ה
אֱלֹהֶֽי/ךָ
תָּמִ֣ים
tâmîym
H8549
unblemished
Adj
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
עִ֖ם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהֶֽי/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 18:13
תָּמִ֣ים
tâmîym
H8549
"unblemished"
Adj
This Hebrew word means unblemished or perfect, like an animal without defects. It describes something or someone that is whole and complete, like the sacrifices in Leviticus. It is used to describe integrity and truth.
Definition: : unblemished/perfect 1) complete, whole, entire, sound 1a) complete, whole, entire 1b) whole, sound, healthful 1c) complete, entire (of time) 1d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity 1e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely (-ity), sound, without spot, undefiled, upright(-ly), whole. See also: Genesis 6:9; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalms 15:2.
תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עִ֖ם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
יְהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֶֽי/ךָ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 18:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 18:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 18:13
Context — Sorcery Forbidden
11casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead.
12For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.
13You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
14Though these nations, which you will dispossess, listen to conjurers and diviners, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. 15The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 5:48 | Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. |
| 2 | Genesis 17:1 | When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. |
| 3 | Genesis 6:9 | This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. |
| 4 | Job 1:1 | There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil. |
| 5 | Philippians 3:12 | Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. |
| 6 | Job 1:8 | Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.” |
| 7 | Psalms 37:37 | Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for posterity awaits the man of peace. |
| 8 | Revelation 3:2 | Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. |
| 9 | Philippians 3:15 | All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. |
Deuteronomy 18:13 Summary
To be blameless before the Lord means to live a life that is pleasing to Him, free from intentional sin and dedicated to following His commands. This means seeking to please God in all we do, as encouraged in Colossians 1:10, and living according to His standards, as given in Deuteronomy 18:13. By living a blameless life, we reflect the character of Christ and can more effectively share the gospel with others, as seen in Matthew 5:16. As we strive to be blameless, we can trust that God will help us and guide us, as promised in Psalms 25:21.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be blameless before the Lord?
To be blameless before the Lord means to live a life that is pleasing to Him, free from intentional sin and dedicated to following His commands, as seen in Psalms 119:1, where it says that those who walk blamelessly will be blessed.
Is it possible for humans to be completely blameless?
While we can strive to be blameless, we are all sinners and fall short of God's standard, as stated in Romans 3:23. However, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be made righteous and blameless in God's sight, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:21.
How can we maintain a blameless life before the Lord?
We can maintain a blameless life by following God's commands, as given in Deuteronomy 18:13, and by seeking to please Him in all we do, as encouraged in Colossians 1:10. This involves daily repentance, prayer, and a commitment to living according to God's Word.
What is the relationship between being blameless and our witness to others?
Being blameless before the Lord is crucial for our witness to others, as it demonstrates our commitment to living according to God's standards, as seen in Matthew 5:16. When we live blameless lives, we reflect the character of Christ and can more effectively share the gospel with others.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may not be living blamelessly before the Lord, and how can I surrender these to Him?
- How can I prioritize my relationship with God and seek to please Him in all I do, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 18:13?
- What are some ways that I can reflect the blameless character of Christ in my daily interactions with others, and how can I use these opportunities to share the gospel?
- In what ways can I seek to be more like Christ, who was blameless and sinless, and how can I apply this to my own life and relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 18:13
Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. Sincerely serve and worship him, faithfully adhere to his word, laws, statutes, and ordinances, and walk uprightly before him.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 18:13
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
Sincerely and wholly his, seeking him and cleaving to him and to his word alone, and therefore abhorring all commerce and conversations with devils or their agents, such as were now mentioned.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
Deuteronomy 18:13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.Ver. 13. Thou shalt be perfect.] In the original there is a bigger tau than ordinary in the word Tamim, rendered perfect, to show, say Hebricians, that we must keep the whole law of God from the first letter thereof to the last - tau is the last letter of the alphabet - and this we must do constantly to the very last, and with the whole man. But how can this be done otherwise than by running to Christ, and in an evangelical way? In sincerity and integrity we must hate such wicked persons, even as God also hateth them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
(13) Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.—Rashi’s note on this is worth preserving: “Thou shalt walk with Him in sincerity, and wait for Him. And thou shalt not pry into the future. But whatsoever cometh upon thee, take it with simplicity, and then thou shalt be with Him, and be His portion.”
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 18:13
13. perfect] blameless; not elsewhere in D, but twice in P in this moral sense (Genesis 6:9 of Noah, Deuteronomy 17:1 required of Abraham as the condition of God granting him His covenant) and frequent in a physical sense, Leviticus 1:3; Leviticus 1:10; Leviticus 3:1, etc. The sense of the incompatibility of magic and necromancy with loyalty to the God of Israel is traceable from at least Saul’s time onward, and is very articulate in the great prophets. The instinct was sound. That such practices divert men from the rational and ethical elements of religion and weaken both the judgement and will of those who resort to them is notorious in the history of modern spiritualism. Cp. Luke 16:31 : if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead. Let other nations hearken to soothsayers and diviners, God does not grant such to His people (Deuteronomy 18:14). For them the living word of the living God is the thing! (Isaiah 8:19), to which this law now therefore naturally turns.
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 18:13
Perfect - As in Genesis 17:1; Job 1:1; Matthew 5:48. The sense is that Israel was to keep the worship of the true God wholly uncontaminated by idolatrous pollutions.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 18:13
13. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God — Blameless with Jehovah, wholly devoted to him. The people of Israel are not to be like these nations; they are to be blameless in seeking intercourse with their God.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 18:13
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Sermon -- Entire Sanctification by Martin Knapp | Reverend J. H. Weber, in the Methodist church at the city of Adrian, preaches about the possibility of attaining perfection and holiness through sanctification. He emphasizes the n |
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Deuteronomy 18:13 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the question of what God desires from us, emphasizing that life without God's purpose leads to emptiness and frustration. He discusses the ideal requirements s |
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Be Ye Holy by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the demand for perfect holiness from God. He explains that there are three ways people respond to this call to be holy. The first response is |
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Repentance - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the prodigal son from Luke chapter 15. He highlights the contrast between the younger son, who repents and returns to his fat |
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Beatitudes/clothed in Christ 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power and authority of true prophets of God. He highlights how the prophets in the Bible, including Paul, delivered strong and sometimes |
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Holy Man of God by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the secret of someone's strength and influence over others. He emphasizes the importance of love and its impact on our lives. The speaker sh |
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How to Cultivate the Holy Spirits Presence by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker criticizes a pastor who prioritizes watching a televised fight over a missionary convention. He emphasizes the importance of hungering for God and havin |