Human history is littered with figures who claimed to speak on behalf of G-d. Some were true prophets, messengers of light and truth. Others were false prophets, misleading humanity with half-truths, self-interest and subtle forms of idolatry.
For Bnei Noah, people of the nations, who are committed to the Seven Universal Commandments, it is essential to be able to distinguish false prophets from true spiritual guides. Especially at a time when spirituality, social media and religious confusion are fast finding each other.
What does the Torah say?
The Torah warns of false prophets early on. In Devarim (Deuteronomy) 13:2-6
כִּֽי-יָק֤וּם בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙ נָבִ֔יא א֖וֹ חֹלֵ֣ם חֲל֑וֹם וְנָתַ֥ן אֵלֶ֛יךָ א֖וֹת א֥וֹ מוֹפֵֽת׃
1. When a prophet or dream interpreter rises in your midst, giving you a sign or a miracle,
וּבָ֤א הָאוֹת֙ וְהַמּוֹפֵ֔ת אֲשֶׁר-דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ לֵאמֹ֑ר נֵֽלְכָ֞ה אַחֲרֵ֨י אֱלֹהִ֧ים אֲחֵרִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא-יְדַעְתָּ֖ם וְנׇֽעׇבְדֵֽם׃
2. and that sign or miracle that he announces to you also comes true, and he says: 'Let us follow other gods-those you have not known-and serve them,'
לֹ֣א תִשְׁמַ֗ע אֶל-דִּבְרֵי֙ הַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֔וּא א֛וֹ אֶל-חוֹלֵ֥ם הַחֲל֖וֹם הַה֑וּא כִּ֣י מְנַסֶּ֞ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁכֶ֤ם אֹֽהֲבִים֙ אֶת-יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם בְּכׇל-לְבַבְכֶ֖ם וּבְכׇל-נַפְשְׁכֶֽם׃
3. then you must not listen to the words of that prophet or that dream interpreter. For the Eternal, your G-d, is testing you to see if you really love the Eternal, your G-d, with all your heart and with all your soul.
אַחֲרֵ֨י יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם תֵּלֵ֖כוּ וְאֹת֣וֹ תִירָ֑אוּ וְאֶת-מִצְוֺתָ֤יו תִּשְׁמֹ֙רוּ֙ וּבְקֹל֣וֹ תִשְׁמָ֔עוּ וְאֹת֥וֹ תַעֲבֹ֖דוּ וּב֥וֹ תִדְבָּקֽוּן׃
4. The Eternal, your G-d, you must follow, you must fear Him, you must keep His commandments, you must obey His voice, you must serve Him and to Him you must cling.
וְהַנָּבִ֣יא הַה֡וּא א֣וֹ חֹלֵם֩ הַחֲל֨וֹם הַה֜וּא יוּמָ֗ת כִּ֣י דִבֶּר-סָ֠רָ֠ה עַל-יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֜ם הַמּוֹצִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֣ם ׀ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם וְהַפֹּֽדְךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים לְהַדִּֽיחֲךָ֙ מִן-הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוְּךָ֛ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּ֑הּ וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃
5. But that prophet or that dream interpreter must be put to death because he preached rebellion against the Eternal One, your G-d, Who led you out of the land of Egypt and delivered you from the house of slavery to lead you away from the path that the Eternal One, your G-d, commanded you to take. Thus, you must remove evil from your midst.
It clearly states that even a "prophet" who does signs or performs miracles is false if he calls for serving a power other than the Eternal, the G-d of Israel. Also, the Divine Code, the halachic manual for Bnei Noach, substantiates this with strong words: worshipping or glorifying anything other than the One G-d, even an angel, planet, idea or human being is idolatry.
Recognisers of a false prophet
- His message leads away from the One G-d
Does he focus on an intermediary? Is he calling for the worship of a spiritual force, holy person or symbol? Then it is idolatry, no matter how pious it sounds.
"I am Hashem, your G-d. You shall have no other gods besides Me." (Shemot / Exodus 20:3) - He claims that G-d commanded what He did not command
The Divine Code describes how false prophets in the past claimed that G-d wanted people to worship stars or images. This was never G-d's will. It was a lie disguised as revelation. - He uses signs, emotions or miracles as 'proof'
Miracles can be impressive, but the Torah teaches that truth is recognised by the content, not the spectacle. Even a dream or vision is no excuse to deviate from what was revealed through Moshe Rabbeinoe. - He addresses holiness to himself or another human being
A false prophet often centres on a person or his own vision. He seeks power, recognition, or spiritual dominance. But true prophets point away from themselves, towards the Eternal. - He changes or replaces the commandments of Moshe Rabbeinoe
The seven commandments for mankind were given to Israel through Moshe Rabbeinoe, not through other channels. Those who claim otherwise are building on sand, not rock.
How does a Ben Noah protect himself?
- Learn from reliable sources
Like The Divine Code and the teachings of recognised rabbis. - Stay far away from misleading spiritual texts
Or false religious systems not rooted in the Torah. - Ask honest questions of yourself:
- "Does this increase my awe of the One G-d?"
- "Is this message in line with the lore through Israel?"
- Avoid spiritual debate with missionaries or sectarian preachers
These conversations seem harmless but can confuse your heart. - Pray to G-d for discernment (bina)
This is not an intellectual struggle alone, but a spiritual path of humility.
A Ben Noah is a witness to the Eternal among the nations. This is not an easy calling, especially in a world full of conflicting voices. But that is precisely why it is so important to recognise the voice of truth: it is humble, clear, and always true to what G-d has made known through Moshe Rabbeinoe.
"The words of the wise are like stimuli ... given by one Shepherd." (Ecclesiastes 12:11)
Don't be misled by outward appearances or spiritual show. Seek the voice of truth in the silence of Torah - through Israel, through Hashem, through reverent study.
Other sources:
Talmud
Sanhedrin 90a-93a
Discusses punishment for false prophets and cites examples such as Hananiah ben Azur, who tried to contradict Jeremiah.
A false prophet is seen as someone who distracts the people from God, even if he is charismatic or persuasive.
Sanhedrin 89a
"A prophet who speaks in the name of idolatry, even though he makes a sign, is a false prophet."
The sign or miracle is irrelevant if the message is wrong.
Rambam (Maimonides) - Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 10:1-3
A true prophet must have proven to be a righteous and wise man, keeping the commandments and being humble.
A prophecy that goes against the Torah can never come from G-d.
Midrash
Sifri on Deuteronomy 13
Argues that false prophets are sometimes a test of God, to see if Israel remains faithful to His commandments.
So it is not about the miracle itself, but about faithfulness to the Torah.
Written by Sarah Bakker
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