Ver. 12-15. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities— From the case of particular persons, Moses proceeds to that of whole cities; by which must be meant Israelitish cities, professing the true religion. Children of Belial signify the most profligate and worthless: Belial signifies, properly, one who is good for nothing, subject to no law, no yoke; and so is a fit name for the devil, and all the sons of disobedience. See Judges 19:22. 1 Samuel 1:16; 1 Samuel 10:27; 1 Samuel 17:25. The rabbis, not without reason, understand the present law thus: If the inquisitors found, upon due examination, that there was evident proof of the charge alleged against the city, they were to make their report to the Sanhedrim, who were first to endeavour, by arguments and persuasions, to reclaim the people of the place to their duty; and if they prevailed, they were pardoned: but if they continued obstinate, then the Sanhedrim commanded the people of Israel to raise an army, besiege the place, and enter it by force, if they could not otherwise; and when the city was taken, several courts were appointed to try and condemn all who were guilty: if they proved to be the lesser part of the city they were stoned, and the rest freed from punishment; if the majority were found guilty, they were all adjudged to be cut off by the sword, together with their wives and children. See Selden de Syned. lib. iii. c. 5.
Related Commentaries of Deuteronomy 13:12
Deuteronomy 13:12-15
12 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,
13 Certain men, the childrenc of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
14 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;
15 Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.