Deuteronomy 13:6If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
The setting
Same gathering on Moab plains. Moses lists the closest relationships - mother's son, children, spouse, soul-friend...
The emotion here: heartbroken, knowing the pain of choosing God over human love
The original word
cuwth (סוּת) — secretly entice, seduce with hidden persuasion
Why it matters
Ancient loyalty oaths typically exempted family members from prosecution - this law didn't
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 13:6
The phrase 'friend who is as your own soul' describes the deepest possible human bond
Common misconceptionThis seems to promote cutting off family, but it's actually about not letting even the deepest human love override your relationship with God. The goal is protecting faith, not destroying relationships.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 13:6
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 13:6 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 13:6 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include family loyalty, testing. Notable phrases: your brother, the son of your mother. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 13:6 mean to you, today?
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