Deuteronomy 20

Deuteronomy 20:3

26

27

28

Deuteronomy 20:5

29

30

Deuteronomy 20:6

31

32

33

Deuteronomy 20:8

34

Deuteronomy 20:10

35

Deuteronomy 20:11

36

Deuteronomy 20:12

37

38

Deuteronomy 20:14

39

Deuteronomy 20:16

40

41

42

Deuteronomy 20:17

43

44

45

Deuteronomy 20:19

1 tn Heb “or a dreamer of dreams” (so KJV, ASV, NASB). The difference between a prophet (נָבִיא, navi’) and one who foretells by dreams (חֹלֵם אוֹ, ‘o kholem) was not so much one of office - for both received revelation by dreams (cf. Numbers 12:6) - as it was of function or emphasis. The prophet was more a proclaimer and interpreter of revelation whereas the one who foretold by dreams was a receiver of revelation. In later times the role of the one who foretold by dreams was abused and thus denigrated as compared to that of the prophet (cf. Jeremiah 23:28).

2 tn The expression אוֹת אוֹ מוֹפֵת (‘ot ‘o mofet) became a formulaic way of speaking of ways of authenticating prophetic messages or other works of God (cf. Deuteronomy 28:46; Isaiah 20:3). The NT equivalent is the Greek term σημεῖον (shmeion), a sign performed (used frequently in the Gospel of John, cf. 2:11, 18; 20:30-31). They could, however, be counterfeited or (as here) permitted to false prophets by the Lord as a means of testing his people.