1 Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God [any] bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, [or] any evilfavouredness: for that [is] an abomination unto the LORD thy God.
2 If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
4 And it be told thee, and thou hast heard [of it], and inquired diligently, and, behold, [it be] true, [and] the thing certain, [that] such abomination is wrought in Israel:
5 Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, [even] that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
7 The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.
8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, [being] matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
9 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
10 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
11 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, [to] the right hand, nor [to] the left.
12 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
13 And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
14 When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that [are] about me;
15 Thou shalt in any wise set [him] king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: [one] from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which [is] not thy brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
Overview of Deuteronomy 17
Deuteronomy 17 provides essential guidelines for the governance of Israel, focusing on the appointment of judges, the establishment of a king, and the adherence to divine laws. This chapter emphasizes the importance of justice, righteousness, and fidelity to God’s commandments in the leadership of the nation.
Key Themes
- Justice and Righteousness
- Leadership and Authority
- Divine Law and Obedience
Detailed Analysis
1. Prohibition of Idolatry (Verses 1-7)
These verses outline the importance of maintaining purity in worship and the consequences of idolatry. The text emphasizes that any Israelite who commits idolatry must be dealt with severely.
- Requirement for a single offering: The Israelites are instructed to offer only unblemished sacrifices to God.
- Consequences of idolatry: The chapter mandates the death penalty for those who lead others into idolatry, highlighting the seriousness of turning away from God.
- Community involvement: The process of judgment involves the community, ensuring that decisions are made collectively and justly.
2. Appointment of Judges (Verses 8-13)
These verses provide guidelines for appointing judges and officials to ensure justice within the community.
- Criteria for judges: Judges must be capable, wise, and respected individuals who can discern between right and wrong.
- Appeal process: The chapter outlines a system where difficult cases can be brought before the Levitical priests and the judge, ensuring that justice is served accurately.
- Obedience to the ruling: The people are instructed to follow the decisions made by the judges and priests, reinforcing the authority of the established leadership.
3. Establishment of a King (Verses 14-20)
This section discusses the future establishment of a monarchy in Israel, providing guidelines for the king’s conduct and responsibilities.
- Selection of a king: The Israelites are permitted to appoint a king, but the choice must be made from among their own people, not a foreigner.
- Limitations on the king: The king is instructed to avoid excessive wealth, military power, and foreign alliances, emphasizing reliance on God rather than earthly power.
- Importance of the Law: The king must write a copy of the Law and read it regularly to ensure adherence to God’s commandments, demonstrating humility and accountability.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 17 serves as a foundational chapter that addresses the moral and ethical standards required for leadership in Israel. It underscores the necessity of justice, the importance of following divine law, and the responsibilities of both judges and kings in maintaining the covenant relationship with God. The chapter reflects the broader themes of fidelity, community, and the pursuit of righteousness that are central to the Israelite identity.
