then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,
Parallel translations
- WEB then you shall inquire, and make search, and ask diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done among you,
- KJV Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;
- NKJV then you shall inquire, search out, and ask diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination was committed among you,
- NASB then you shall investigate, search out, and inquire thoroughly. And if it is true and the matter is certain that this abomination has been committed among you,
- NLT In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find that the report is true and such a detestable act has been committed among you,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Before acting, Israel must investigate carefully and confirm the charge is true. Justice requires diligent inquiry, not hasty judgment.
Overview
Moses insists on thorough investigation before any action against a city, requiring that the abomination be established as certain. This safeguard against rumor and false accusation reflects God's concern for justice and truth. The demand for careful inquiry models the fairness God requires of his people in every age.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Deut 17:4and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,
- John 7:24Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly.”
- Isa 11:3–4And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear,
- 1 Tim 5:19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Deut 10:18He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.
- Num 35:30If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 13:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.