13:1 a prophet stands up in your midst or a dreamer of Since prophecy and dreams were associated with divine revelation, Israel must reject any prophet or dreamer whose oracles do not align with Yahweh’s commands.

13:2 Let us go after other gods Following other gods would violate the greatest commandment—the central matter pertaining to fidelity to Yahweh (Deut 6:4–5)—and would thus endanger Israel’s remaining in the land. Compare 6:12; 8:11; 11:16.

13:3 the words of that prophet or to that dreamer Even if the source appears divine, the Israelites must reject the suggestion if the prophet or dreamer suggests violating the commands of Yahweh.

13:8 and you shall not cover up for him People must practice uncompromising fidelity to Yahweh. They must reject and expose even their wives or closest companions if those people promote disloyalty to Yahweh, even though doing so would lead to those people’s deaths. The loyalty Moses describes here could not be more uncompromising; ultimately, the welfare of the entire nation could be at stake (see 6:12; 8:11; 11:16).

13:9 kill him Deuteronomy 17:6–7 requires at least two witnesses to convict a person of the capital crime of worshiping another god. An execution may not occur without a trial to determine guilt. This trial is the responsibility of the person approached by the instigator, who must initiate the death penalty (v. 10) no matter how deep their personal attachment is to the guilty (v. 6).

13:11 act according to this evil thing Moses clearly intends capital punishment here as a deterrent to any disloyalty to Yahweh. However, in view of the connection between the greatest command (exclusive worship of Yahweh) and the national inheritance of the land (God’s threat to take it away if Israel disobeys His commands), the penalty also aims to prevent the spread of apostasy, which would put the entire population in peril (see 6:12; 8:11; 11:16).

13:15 you shall destroy it The Hebrew wording denotes the principle of designating people or things as sacred property (called cherem in Hebrew; see note on 7:2). This designation involved judgment from Yahweh and was often associated with idolatry. See note on Josh 6:16; note on Deut 6:17.

13:16 you shall burn the town and all of its war-booty Since the city is devoted to destruction (see note on v. 15), none of its contents can be spared or kept. Achan will later violate this command (Josh 7).