Deuteronomy 17 Study Notes
General
What were local judges to do with a case too hard for them to decide (Deuteronomy 17:8-9)?
Answer: Take it to the priests and judge at the place God chose
Cases of killing, legal disputes, or violent attacks could prove beyond the ability of the town judges (17:8). Such cases were to be brought to the place God would choose, to the priests of Levi’s tribe and the judge serving at that time, who would give a verdict (17:9). This follows the pattern set in the wilderness, when appointed men handled ordinary disputes while the hard cases went to Moses (Exodus 18:26), and Moses had told Israel’s judges to bring him any matter beyond them (Deuteronomy 1:17). King Jehoshaphat later set up just such a court in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 19:8).
- Deuteronomy 17:8-9 (BSB)“If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.”Cases too hard for local courts are referred to the Levitical priests and the presiding judge at the central sanctuary.
- Exodus 18:26 (BSB)“And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.”In the wilderness, appointed judges handled minor cases while difficult ones went to Moses.
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (BSB)“Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.””Moses had told Israel’s judges to bring cases beyond them to him.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.”King Jehoshaphat later set up a court of Levites, priests, and family heads in Jerusalem.
Theological
According to Deuteronomy 17:8-9, what was to be done with cases too hard for the local courts?
Answer: Take it to the priests and judge at the place God chose
Deuteronomy establishes a central court of appeal: cases of bloodshed, litigation, or assault that exceeded local competence were referred to the place God would choose, to the priests of Levi and the presiding judge, who would render a verdict (17:8-9). The arrangement continues the judicial structure begun at Jethro’s counsel, with difficult cases going to Moses (Exodus 18:26; Deuteronomy 1:17), and it anticipates Jehoshaphat’s central court in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 19:8).
- Deuteronomy 17:8-9 (BSB)“If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.”Cases too hard for local courts are referred to the Levitical priests and the presiding judge at the central sanctuary.
- Exodus 18:26 (BSB)“And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.”In the wilderness, appointed judges handled minor cases while difficult ones went to Moses.
- Deuteronomy 1:17 (BSB)“Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.””Moses had told Israel’s judges to bring cases beyond them to him.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 (BSB)“Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.”King Jehoshaphat later set up a court of Levites, priests, and family heads in Jerusalem.
General
If Israel heard that someone in a town was worshiping other gods, what did Deuteronomy 17:4 require first?
Answer: A careful investigation to learn if the report was true
The sin in view is covenant betrayal: turning from the LORD to serve other gods, including the sun, moon, or stars (17:2-3). Israel’s covenant, the binding agreement God made with them, treated this as a capital crime. Yet before anything was done, the report had to be looked into thoroughly, and only if it proved true could the penalty follow (17:4-5). The same careful inquiry was required when a whole town was accused of idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:14) and when a witness was suspected of lying (Deuteronomy 19:18). Proverbs calls it foolish to give a verdict before hearing the facts (Proverbs 18:13). Rumor alone was never enough to condemn anyone in Israel.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-5 (BSB)“If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.”A report of idolatry in a town must be thoroughly investigated before any penalty is carried out.
- Deuteronomy 13:14 (BSB)“then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,”The same thorough inquiry was required before acting against a town accused of turning to other gods.
- Deuteronomy 19:18 (BSB)“The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,”Judges also had to investigate thoroughly when a witness was suspected of lying.
- Proverbs 18:13 (BSB)“He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.”Proverbs calls it folly and disgrace to answer a matter before hearing it.
Theological
What procedural requirement does Deuteronomy 17:4 place before any penalty for reported idolatry?
Answer: A careful investigation to learn if the report was true
Worship of other gods, including the heavenly bodies, is covenant transgression and a capital offense in Israel’s theocratic order (17:2-3). Yet the law demands due process: the report must be investigated thoroughly and established as true before sentence is carried out (17:4-5). Deuteronomy applies the same standard to an apostate town (Deuteronomy 13:14) and to a suspected false witness (Deuteronomy 19:18), and wisdom literature condemns judging a matter before hearing it (Proverbs 18:13). Hearsay could not condemn anyone.
- Deuteronomy 17:2-5 (BSB)“If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.”A report of idolatry in a town must be thoroughly investigated before any penalty is carried out.
- Deuteronomy 13:14 (BSB)“then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you,”The same thorough inquiry was required before acting against a town accused of turning to other gods.
- Deuteronomy 19:18 (BSB)“The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,”Judges also had to investigate thoroughly when a witness was suspected of lying.
- Proverbs 18:13 (BSB)“He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.”Proverbs calls it folly and disgrace to answer a matter before hearing it.
General
True or False: Deuteronomy 17:15 permitted Israel to set a foreigner over them as king if they chose.
Answer: False
This is false. Moses foresees a day when Israel, settled in the land, would ask for a king like the surrounding nations (17:14). If so, the king had to be a man chosen by the LORD, and he had to be one of their own brothers, not an outsider (17:15). Centuries later the people did ask Samuel for a king like the other nations (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel presented Saul as God’s chosen man (1 Samuel 10:24), and when Saul was rejected, God Himself selected David from among Jesse’s sons (1 Samuel 16:1). Israel’s king was never to be merely the people’s pick; he was to rule by God’s choice.
- Deuteronomy 17:14-15 (BSB)“When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers.”Moses anticipates Israel’s request for a king and sets the conditions: God’s choice, and a fellow Israelite.
- 1 Samuel 8:5 (BSB)““Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.””Centuries later the people asked Samuel for a king like the other nations.
- 1 Samuel 10:24 (BSB)“Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!””Samuel presented Saul to the people as the man the LORD had chosen.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””When Saul was rejected, God Himself selected a king from Jesse’s sons.
Theological
True or False: Under Deuteronomy 17:15, a king from outside Israel was an acceptable choice.
Answer: False
This is false. Deuteronomy’s kingship law anticipates Israel’s desire for a monarchy like the surrounding nations (17:14) and sets two conditions: the king must be chosen by the LORD, and he must be an Israelite, not an outsider (17:15). Israel’s kingship was to be derivative, exercised under God’s election rather than popular preference. The request came in Samuel’s day (1 Samuel 8:5); Saul was presented as God’s chosen man (1 Samuel 10:24), and on Saul’s rejection God Himself selected a king from Jesse’s sons (1 Samuel 16:1).
- Deuteronomy 17:14-15 (BSB)“When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers.”Moses anticipates Israel’s request for a king and sets the conditions: God’s choice, and a fellow Israelite.
- 1 Samuel 8:5 (BSB)““Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.””Centuries later the people asked Samuel for a king like the other nations.
- 1 Samuel 10:24 (BSB)“Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!””Samuel presented Saul to the people as the man the LORD had chosen.
- 1 Samuel 16:1 (BSB)“Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.””When Saul was rejected, God Himself selected a king from Jesse’s sons.
General
What was the king to do once he sat on his throne, according to Deuteronomy 17:18-19?
Answer: Write his own copy of the law and read it all his life
When the king took the throne, he was to write out his own copy of God’s law while the priests watched, keep it with him, and read from it throughout his life (17:18-19). The purpose was that he would grow in reverence for the LORD and carefully obey, that he would not think of himself as above his fellow Israelites, and that he would not stray from God’s commands, so that his line would reign long (17:19-20). Israel’s king was to be first a student of God’s word, not above it. Joshua received a similar charge to keep God’s law on his lips and think on it constantly (Joshua 1:8), the psalmist calls blessed the one who delights in the law (Psalm 1:1-2), and David charged Solomon to keep God’s commands as written by Moses (1 Kings 2:3).
- Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (BSB)“When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.”The king writes and reads throughout his life his own copy of God’s law, so that he fears God, stays humble, and does not turn from the commandment.
- Joshua 1:8 (BSB)“This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”Joshua, Israel’s leader after Moses, was charged to keep God’s law in his mouth and meditate on it constantly.
- Psalm 1:1-2 (BSB)“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”The psalmist calls blessed the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 2:3 (BSB)“And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,”David charged Solomon to keep God’s commands as written in the Law of Moses.
Theological
What does Deuteronomy 17:18-19 require of the king once he takes the throne?
Answer: Write his own copy of the law and read it all his life
The king must personally transcribe a copy of the law under priestly supervision, keep it with him, and read it throughout his life (17:18-19). Its aims are the fear of the LORD, careful obedience, humility toward his fellow Israelites, and steadfastness in the commandment, with the promise of a long dynasty (17:19-20). Israel’s king is himself under the law, not a law unto himself. The same charge to meditate on the law was laid on Joshua (Joshua 1:8), the psalmist pronounces blessed the one who delights in it (Psalm 1:1-2), and David’s charge to Solomon echoes it (1 Kings 2:3).
- Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (BSB)“When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.”The king writes and reads throughout his life his own copy of God’s law, so that he fears God, stays humble, and does not turn from the commandment.
- Joshua 1:8 (BSB)“This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.”Joshua, Israel’s leader after Moses, was charged to keep God’s law in his mouth and meditate on it constantly.
- Psalm 1:1-2 (BSB)“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”The psalmist calls blessed the one whose delight is in the law of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 2:3 (BSB)“And keep the charge of the LORD your God to walk in His ways and to keep His statutes, commandments, ordinances, and decrees, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn,”David charged Solomon to keep God’s commands as written in the Law of Moses.
General
What reason does Deuteronomy 17:17 give for forbidding the king to take many wives?
Answer: So that his heart would not be turned away
The law named three things a king was forbidden to pile up for himself. He must not build up many horses, the chariot power of ancient armies, nor make Israel return to Egypt to obtain more, because the LORD had said Israel must never retrace that road (17:16). He was not to marry many wives, so that his heart would not be led astray, and he must not hoard great wealth in silver and gold (17:17). The king was to trust in God rather than in military might or wealth (Psalm 20:7). Solomon later broke all three limits: he gathered 12,000 horses, some brought from Egypt, and made silver as ordinary as rocks in his capital (1 Kings 10:26-28), and he took seven hundred wives, who drew his heart toward false gods when he grew old (1 Kings 11:3-4). The very danger the law named came true.
- Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (BSB)“But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.”The king is forbidden to multiply horses, wives, or silver and gold, with a reason given for the limit on wives.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”The psalmist contrasts trust in horses and chariots with trust in the name of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 10:26-28 (BSB)“Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.”Solomon amassed chariots and horses, some imported from Egypt, and made silver abundant in Jerusalem.
- 1 Kings 11:3-4 (BSB)“He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.”Solomon’s many wives turned his heart to other gods in his old age, the very danger the law named.
Theological
What purpose does Deuteronomy 17:17 give for limiting the number of the king’s wives?
Answer: So that his heart would not be turned away
Deuteronomy’s kingship law restrains the king in three areas: horses, whose acquisition would make Israel return to Egypt (17:16), wives, and silver and gold (17:17). The limit on wives carries its own stated danger: that the king’s heart would turn aside. The king was to rely on the LORD, not on chariots or treasure (Psalm 20:7). Solomon’s reign shows the violation in full: he multiplied horses, some of them brought in from Egypt, and made silver as ordinary as rocks in his capital (1 Kings 10:26-28), and his many wives drew his heart toward false gods in his old age (1 Kings 11:3-4), exactly as the law warned.
- Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (BSB)“But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.”The king is forbidden to multiply horses, wives, or silver and gold, with a reason given for the limit on wives.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”The psalmist contrasts trust in horses and chariots with trust in the name of the LORD.
- 1 Kings 10:26-28 (BSB)“Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.”Solomon amassed chariots and horses, some imported from Egypt, and made silver abundant in Jerusalem.
- 1 Kings 11:3-4 (BSB)“He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.”Solomon’s many wives turned his heart to other gods in his old age, the very danger the law named.
General
What does Deuteronomy 17:1 say about sacrificing an ox or sheep that has a defect?
Answer: The LORD finds such an offering detestable
Israel was not to sacrifice an animal with any flaw or blemish, because the LORD finds that detestable (17:1). A sacrifice was an offering given to God, and giving Him a damaged animal treated Him as though He deserved less than the best. Leviticus says God would not accept a flawed offering from the worshiper (Leviticus 22:20-21), and centuries later Malachi rebuked priests who brought blind, lame, and sick animals to the altar (Malachi 1:8). These spotless sacrifices point to Christ, who redeemed His people with His own precious blood as a spotless lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19).
- Deuteronomy 17:1 (BSB)“You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.”Moses forbids sacrificing a flawed ox or sheep and gives the LORD’s verdict on such an offering.
- Leviticus 22:20-21 (BSB)“You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Leviticus says an offering with a defect would not be accepted on the worshiper’s behalf.
- Malachi 1:8 (BSB)“When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.”Malachi rebukes the priests of his day for offering blind, lame, and sick animals.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (BSB)“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Peter says believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, the spotless lamb the flawless sacrifices pointed to.
Theological
How does Deuteronomy 17:1 characterize the sacrifice of a blemished ox or sheep?
Answer: The LORD finds such an offering detestable
The sacrifice of an animal with any flaw or blemish is an abomination to the LORD (17:1). To offer God what is damaged is to despise Him, as Leviticus makes clear when it says God refuses such offerings (Leviticus 22:20-21) and as Malachi charges against the post-exilic priesthood (Malachi 1:8). The requirement of an unblemished victim anticipates the sinless Christ, whose precious blood redeemed His people as a spotless lamb (1 Peter 1:18-19).
- Deuteronomy 17:1 (BSB)“You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.”Moses forbids sacrificing a flawed ox or sheep and gives the LORD’s verdict on such an offering.
- Leviticus 22:20-21 (BSB)“You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.”Leviticus says an offering with a defect would not be accepted on the worshiper’s behalf.
- Malachi 1:8 (BSB)“When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.”Malachi rebukes the priests of his day for offering blind, lame, and sick animals.
- 1 Peter 1:18-19 (BSB)“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.”Peter says believers were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, the spotless lamb the flawless sacrifices pointed to.
General
What reason does Deuteronomy 17:13 give for punishing the man who defiantly rejected the central court’s verdict?
Answer: So the whole nation would hear and stop acting proudly
The verdict given at the central court was binding. Israel was to follow it exactly, turning neither to the right nor to the left (17:10-11). A man who acted presumptuously, that is, with proud defiance, refusing to listen to the priest or the judge, faced the death penalty (17:12). The stated purpose follows: all the people would hear of it, be afraid, and no longer act arrogantly (17:13). The same purpose is given for other serious cases (Deuteronomy 13:11; 19:20). Numbers likewise treats any defiant, high-handed sin as an insult to the LORD Himself (Numbers 15:30).
- Deuteronomy 17:10-13 (BSB)“You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, according to the terms of law they give and the verdict they proclaim. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you. But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly.”The central court’s verdict is binding, and defiant refusal of it is punished so that the whole people will fear.
- Deuteronomy 13:11 (BSB)“Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.”The same public deterrent purpose is given for the penalty on one who entices to idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 19:20 (BSB)“Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you.”The same purpose is given for the penalty on a false witness.
- Numbers 15:30 (BSB)“But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.”Numbers treats defiant, high-handed sin as blasphemy against the LORD Himself.
Theological
What purpose does Deuteronomy 17:13 attach to the penalty for contempt of the central court?
Answer: So the whole nation would hear and stop acting proudly
The central court’s ruling carried binding authority, from which Israel could not deviate in either direction (17:10-11). Presumptuous refusal to heed the priest or judge was a capital offense (17:12), because it was rebellion against the covenant order God had established. The penalty had a public, deterrent purpose: that all Israel would hear, fear, and cease from arrogance (17:13), a formula repeated for other grave offenses (Deuteronomy 13:11; 19:20). Numbers classifies defiant, high-handed sin in general as blasphemy against the LORD (Numbers 15:30).
- Deuteronomy 17:10-13 (BSB)“You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, according to the terms of law they give and the verdict they proclaim. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you. But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly.”The central court’s verdict is binding, and defiant refusal of it is punished so that the whole people will fear.
- Deuteronomy 13:11 (BSB)“Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such a wicked thing among you.”The same public deterrent purpose is given for the penalty on one who entices to idolatry.
- Deuteronomy 19:20 (BSB)“Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you.”The same purpose is given for the penalty on a false witness.
- Numbers 15:30 (BSB)“But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people.”Numbers treats defiant, high-handed sin as blasphemy against the LORD Himself.
General
What did Deuteronomy 17:6 require before a person could receive the death penalty?
Answer: Testimony from two or three separate witnesses
No one could receive a death sentence on the word of a single witness; two or three separate witnesses were needed (17:6). This protected the innocent from one accuser’s lie or mistake. Jesus applies it when a brother who has sinned refuses to listen and others are brought along (Matthew 18:16), Paul uses it in his dealings with the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 13:1), and he tells Timothy not to receive charges against a church elder without such testimony (1 Timothy 5:19). The principle that serious charges need more than one witness carries straight into the life of the church.
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (BSB)“On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.”No one could be executed on the word of only one witness.
- Matthew 18:16 (BSB)“But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’”Jesus applies the principle to confronting a brother who will not listen.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 (BSB)“This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.””Paul cites the principle in his dealings with the Corinthian church.
- 1 Timothy 5:19 (BSB)“Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”Paul requires the same standard before an accusation against an elder is entertained.
Theological
What evidentiary standard does Deuteronomy 17:6 set for a capital sentence?
Answer: Testimony from two or three separate witnesses
A capital sentence required two or three concurring witnesses; one witness alone was insufficient (17:6). The standard guards against false or mistaken accusation. The New Testament carries the principle into the life of the church: Jesus in the process of confronting an unrepentant brother (Matthew 18:16), Paul in his apostolic dealings with Corinth (2 Corinthians 13:1), and Paul again in protecting elders from unsupported charges (1 Timothy 5:19).
- Deuteronomy 17:6 (BSB)“On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.”No one could be executed on the word of only one witness.
- Matthew 18:16 (BSB)“But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’”Jesus applies the principle to confronting a brother who will not listen.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 (BSB)“This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.””Paul cites the principle in his dealings with the Corinthian church.
- 1 Timothy 5:19 (BSB)“Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”Paul requires the same standard before an accusation against an elder is entertained.
General
True or False: Under Deuteronomy 17:7, the witnesses were to be the first to carry out the sentence, before the whole community joined in.
Answer: True
This is true. The witnesses were to act first in carrying out the execution, and then the whole community (17:7). Witnesses could not accuse from a distance and leave the consequences to others; they had to stand behind their testimony personally, which was a strong check on false accusation. The same order is given for someone who secretly tempts others to idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:9), and a witness found to be lying suffered the very penalty he had intended for the accused (Deuteronomy 19:19). The verse ends with the refrain about removing evil from Israel’s midst, which Paul quotes when he tells the Corinthian church to put an unrepentant man out of their fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:13).
- Deuteronomy 17:7 (BSB)“The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.”The witnesses take the lead in carrying out the sentence, followed by the whole community.
- Deuteronomy 13:9 (BSB)“Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.”The same order is given for one who secretly entices others to worship other gods.
- Deuteronomy 19:19 (BSB)“you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.”A false witness was to receive the penalty he intended for the accused, showing how seriously testimony was weighed.
- 1 Corinthians 5:13 (BSB)“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.””Paul quotes Deuteronomy’s refrain about removing evil when he tells the church to put out an unrepentant member.
Theological
True or False: Deuteronomy 17:7 required the witnesses to take the lead in carrying out the sentence they had testified to.
Answer: True
This is true. The witnesses’ hands were to be first against the condemned, and then the whole community’s (17:7). The procedure bound the witnesses personally to the consequences of their testimony, a strong deterrent to perjury, reinforced by the law that a false witness receives the penalty he sought for another (Deuteronomy 19:19). The same order appears for the secret enticer to idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:9). The concluding purge formula is taken up by Paul and applied to church discipline, the removal of an unrepentant member from the fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:13).
- Deuteronomy 17:7 (BSB)“The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.”The witnesses take the lead in carrying out the sentence, followed by the whole community.
- Deuteronomy 13:9 (BSB)“Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.”The same order is given for one who secretly entices others to worship other gods.
- Deuteronomy 19:19 (BSB)“you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.”A false witness was to receive the penalty he intended for the accused, showing how seriously testimony was weighed.
- 1 Corinthians 5:13 (BSB)“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.””Paul quotes Deuteronomy’s refrain about removing evil when he tells the church to put out an unrepentant member.