Sources of the Temptation to Go after Other Gods: Continuing the concern for the purity of Israel’s worship, in line with the first commandment, Deuteronomy warns the people of the kinds of situation in which they might be tempted or pressured into deserting Yahweh for other gods. First, the danger of false religious leaders (vv. 1–5); second, the possible conflict of loyalties when close family members are involved (vv. 6–11); third, the pressure of an influential group of leaders in a community (vv. 12–18).

The canonical, normative force of the word that God had already given to Israel (12:32 [Hb. 13:1]; cf. 4:2) was to be given priority over any future prophetic words. This principle is further developed in the law relating to prophets in 18:15–22 by stating that “the prophet” envisaged …