Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; (Deuteronomy 13:13)
Literally, “sons of Belial,” that is, “sons of evil,”“children of wickedness.” The same word, “Belial,” is given in ch. 15:9 as “wicked,” and in 2 Sam. 22:5 and Ps. 18:4 as “ungodly men,” in Job 34:18 and Nahum 1:11 as “wicked,” and in Ps. 41:8 as “evil.”
Gone out.
That is, severed themselves from association with God’s people, perhaps with the purpose of setting up a new organization (1 John 2:19). Those who leave the church, thinking to work in opposition to it, would do well to remember that apart from Christ they can have no spiritual life and can accomplish nothing for the kingdom (John 15:4, 5).
Have withdrawn.
Rather, “have drawn away” (RSV), that is, made strong efforts to seduce others. The same word is translated “thrust” in vs. 5 and 10, suggesting intense effort.