Deuteronomy 13:1

Suppose a prophet or one who foretells by dreams ¹  should appear among you and show you a sign or wonder, ² 

1Ki 13:18; Isa 9:15; Jer 6:13; Jer 23:11; Jer 23:25-28; Jer 27:9; Jer 29:8,24; Eze 13:2,3,23; Zec 10:2; Zec 13:4; Mt 7:15; Mt 24:11; Lu 6:26; 2Pe 2:1; 1Jo 4:1

¹ tn Heb “or a dreamer of dreams” (so KJV, ASV, NASB). The difference between a prophet (נָבִיא, navi’) and one who foretells by dreams (חֹלֵם אוֹ, ’o kholem) was not so much one of office – for both received revelation by dreams (cf. Num 12:6) – as it was of function or emphasis. The prophet was more a proclaimer and interpreter of revelation whereas the one who foretold by dreams was a receiver of revelation. In later times the role of the one who foretold by dreams was abused and thus denigrated as compared to that of the prophet (cf. Jer 23:28).

² tn The expression אוֹת אוֹ מוֹפֵת (’ot ’o mofet) became a formulaic way of speaking of ways of authenticating prophetic messages or other works of God (cf. Deut 28:46; Isa 20:3). The NT equivalent is the Greek term σημεῖον (shmeion), a sign performed (used frequently in the Gospel of John, cf. 2:11, 18; 20:30-31). They could, however, be counterfeited or (as here) permitted to false prophets by the Lord as a means of testing his people.