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Deuteronomy 18:22

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 18:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Deuteronomy 18:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20But the prophet, that shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.
21And if thou say in thy heart, How shall we know the word which Jehovah hath not spoken?
22when a prophet speaketh in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah hath not spoken: the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously, thou shalt not be afraid of him.
← Deuteronomy 18:21Deuteronomy 19:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, etc.] Says he comes from God, is sent by him, and has a commission from him to say so: if the thing follow not, nor come to pass; as the prophecy of Hananiah, (<242803>Jeremiah 28:3) that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken; or otherwise it would have come to pass, unless when a condition is either expressed or implied, as the repentance or disobedience of a people; (see <241807> Jeremiah 18:7-10) but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; in a bold and daring manner, with great impiety and impudence, out of his own head and heart, being a mere device and imagination of his own, which, not having the fear of God, he delivered as…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If the thing - Which he gives as a sign of the truth of his prophecy. The falsehood of his prediction shews him to be a false prophet. Presumptuously - Impudently ascribing his own vain and lying fancies to the God of truth. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“18:22 Any prophet whose prediction fails must be branded as false, even if he claims to speak for God. The mere claim is insufficient if it goes unfulfilled.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“speaketh: Isa 41:22; Jer 28:1-14 if the thing: Deu 13:2; Kg2 20:1; Jon 3:4, Jon 4:2; Zac 1:5, Zac 1:6 presumptuously: Deu 18:20; Jer 28:15-17 shalt not: Pro 26:2 Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 19”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 18 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification