Deuteronomy 17

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 17

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.

2If 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,

3And 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;

4And it be told thee, and thou hast heard [of it], and enquired diligently, and, behold, [it be] true, [and] the thing certain, [that] such abomination is wrought in Israel:

5Then 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.

6At 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.

7The 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;

9And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:

10And 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:

11According 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.

12And 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.

13And 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;

15Thou 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.

16But 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.

17Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

18And 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:

19And 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:

20That 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Deuteronomy 17 outlines critical laws concerning worship, justice, and future kingship. It forbids blemished sacrifices and prescribes death by stoning for idolaters, requiring multiple witnesses for conviction. The chapter establishes a supreme judicial authority of priests and a judge for difficult cases, whose rulings must be obeyed. Finally, it sets forth specific regulations for a future king, emphasizing his divine selection, Israelite origin, and strict adherence to God's law.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins by prohibiting the sacrifice of any blemished animal to the Lord, deeming such an act an abomination. It then addresses the severe consequence for idolatry, stipulating that any man or woman found worshipping other gods, such as the sun or moon, shall be stoned to death, provided the accusation is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Following this, the text establishes a central judicial system, instructing that difficult legal controversies be brought before the Levitical priests and the judge in a chosen place, whose decisions must be strictly obeyed under penalty of death. Finally, Deuteronomy 17 provides regulations for the future king of Israel, mandating that he be chosen by God from among his brethren. This king is forbidden from multiplying horses, wives, or excessive wealth, and is commanded to write and continually read a copy of the law to ensure humility and faithful adherence to God's commandments, thereby securing his reign.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy chapter 17 commences with a clear command against offering any blemished bullock or sheep as a sacrifice to the LORD, declaring such an offering an abomination. The text then transitions to the grave offense of idolatry, stating that if any man or woman within Israel is found to have worshipped other gods, including celestial bodies, after diligent inquiry confirms the truth of the transgression, they are to be brought forth and stoned to death. A critical procedural safeguard is established, requiring the testimony of two or three witnesses for a capital conviction, with the witnesses themselves casting the first stones to remove evil from the community. Subsequently, the chapter addresses the resolution of complex legal disputes that may arise, such as those concerning bloodshed or various controversies. In such cases, individuals are instructed to ascend to a central place chosen by the LORD, where they are to consult with the Levitical priests and the presiding judge. The judgment rendered by this supreme authority is to be meticulously followed without deviation, and any individual who presumptuously disobeys the priest or judge's ruling is to be put to death, ensuring that all the people hear and fear. The latter part of the chapter anticipates the future desire of Israel to appoint a king, like the surrounding nations. It stipulates that this king must be chosen by the LORD from among the Israelite brethren, explicitly forbidding the appointment of a foreigner. Strict limitations are placed upon the monarch: he must not accumulate an excessive number of horses, nor cause the people to return to Egypt for this purpose. Furthermore, he is not to multiply wives, lest his heart be led astray, nor is he to amass excessive silver and gold. Crucially, upon ascending his throne, the king is commanded to write a personal copy of the law, derived from the priests, and to read it daily throughout his life. This practice is intended to foster reverence for God, diligent observance of the commandments, and to prevent his heart from becoming arrogant above his brethren, ensuring a prolonged and righteous reign for himself and his descendants in Israel.

Core Concepts

  • Unblemished SacrificesThe requirement that all animals offered as sacrifices to the LORD must be without blemish or defect, as anything less is considered an abomination.
  • Punishment for IdolatryThe severe penalty of death by stoning for any Israelite found worshipping other gods or celestial bodies, emphasizing the gravity of covenant transgression.
  • Witness RequirementThe legal principle that a capital offense, such as idolatry, requires the testimony of at least two or three witnesses for conviction, ensuring justice and preventing false accusations.
  • Supreme Judicial AuthorityThe establishment of a central court comprising Levitical priests and a judge to resolve difficult legal controversies, whose rulings are binding and must be obeyed under penalty of death.
  • Qualifications for KingshipGuidelines for the future king of Israel, specifying that he must be chosen by God from among the Israelites and not be a foreigner.
  • Limitations on the KingRestrictions placed upon the king, prohibiting the excessive accumulation of horses, wives, or wealth, to prevent pride and turning away from God's commandments.
  • King's Adherence to the LawThe command for the king to write and continually read a copy of the law, ensuring his humility, fear of God, and faithful obedience to divine statutes throughout his reign.