Deuteronomy 1 17

Deuteronomy 1:17 kjv

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Deuteronomy 1:17 nkjv

You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.'

Deuteronomy 1:17 niv

Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it."

Deuteronomy 1:17 esv

You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.'

Deuteronomy 1:17 nlt

and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don't be afraid of anyone's anger, for the decision you make is God's decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.'

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:17 comprehensively instructs judges within God's covenant people to uphold absolute impartiality and courage in their duties. They are to treat all individuals, regardless of social standing, wealth, or influence, with equal consideration. This mandate stems from the fundamental truth that all judgment ultimately belongs to God, making judges His representatives, accountable to Him alone rather than to human intimidation. Furthermore, it establishes a clear principle of appealing complex cases to a higher, divinely-appointed authority, ensuring that justice is neither circumvented by human limitations nor abandoned in difficulty, but ultimately resolved through God's wisdom.

Deuteronomy 1 17 Context

Deuteronomy 1 begins Moses' recounting of Israel's journey from Horeb to the plains of Moab, prior to entering the Promised Land. This chapter specifically details the early organizational structure, including Moses' appointment of leaders and judges. The historical context is the period of the wilderness wandering, as the generation that left Egypt had largely passed away. Moses reminds the new generation of the principles of the Mosaic Law and the past experiences, reinforcing the foundation of a covenant community built on divine justice and order. Verse 17 particularly outlines the core principles for judicial officers who were appointed (as referenced in Deut 1:9-15), ensuring the proper administration of justice within this divinely structured society. It underscores that true justice in Israel flows directly from God's character and authority, in contrast to the often corrupt or arbitrary judicial practices found in surrounding pagan nations.

Deuteronomy 1 17 Word analysis

• You shall not show partiality:
  • Hebrew: לֹא תַכִּירוּ פָנִים (lo takkiru panim), literally "you shall not recognize faces." This idiomatic expression unequivocally forbids favoritism, personal bias, or treating people differently based on their appearance, social status, wealth, or influence. It speaks to the inner attitude of the judge, demanding a pure commitment to truth and fairness. This is a direct polemic against widespread ancient Near Eastern practices of judicial corruption and bias towards the wealthy or powerful.
• in judgment:
  • Hebrew: בַּמִּשְׁפָּט (bamishpat), meaning "in the judicial process" or "in a lawsuit/legal decision." It signifies not merely a court ruling but the entire administration of justice, upholding what is right and righteous in a societal and legal sense.
• you shall hear:
  • Hebrew: תִּשְׁמְעוּ (tishme'u), "you shall listen," "you shall heed." This implies not just hearing audibly, but truly listening, giving full and equal consideration to all arguments, evidence, and pleas presented. It conveys a deep responsibility to comprehend the case thoroughly before deciding.
• the small and the great alike:
  • Hebrew: כַּקָּטֹן כַּגָּדֹל (kaqaton kagadol), literally "as the small, as the great." This emphasizes absolute equality before the law. Whether the individual is a powerful elder, a wealthy land owner, a humble shepherd, or an orphan, their case must be weighed with the same scrutiny and justice. It eradicates any social hierarchy from the judicial sphere, placing everyone on level ground under God's law.
• You shall not be afraid:
  • Hebrew: לֹא תָגוּרוּ (lo taguru), "you shall not dread" or "be intimidated." This demands moral courage from the judge, freeing them from the fear of retaliation, powerful individuals, social pressure, or public opinion. The judge's sole focus should be on righteous judgment, not on personal safety or approval.
• in anyone's presence:
  • Hebrew: מִפְּנֵי אִישׁ (mippeney ish), "from the face of any man." This reinforces the injunction against fear, specifying that judges should not be intimidated by anyone's status, power, or threats. Their authority is from God, not derived from human validation.
• for the judgment is God's:
  • Hebrew: כִּי הַמִּשְׁפָּט לֵאלֹהִים הוּא (ki hammishpat le'Elohim hu'), "for the judgment is for God, it is He." This is the foundational theological premise for the entire verse. Judges are not exercising their own authority or human wisdom, but are instruments of divine justice. They serve as God's representatives, and their rulings are seen as divine pronouncements. This truth undergirds both the impartiality and fearlessness commanded.
• And the case that is too hard for you:
  • Hebrew: וְהַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר יִקְשֶׁה מִכֶּם (vehadavar asher yiqqasheh mikkem), "and the matter that is too difficult for you." This acknowledges human limitations, wisdom, and capacity to discern. Not every case will be clear-cut or easily resolved. It demonstrates a humility inherent in the system of divine justice, recognizing that not all wisdom resides in human agents.
• you shall bring to me:
  • Hebrew: תַּקְרִבוּן אֵלָי (taqrivun elay), "you shall bring near to me." This establishes a judicial hierarchy or appeals process, directing the lower judges to bring truly difficult or unprecedented cases to Moses (as the divinely appointed, supreme arbiter) for resolution. This structure ensures that no case remains without definitive, just adjudication.
• and I will hear it:
  • Hebrew: וּשְׁמַעְתִּיו (ushme'ativ), "and I will hear it/him." This assures the accessibility of higher counsel and the commitment to resolve even the most challenging matters. It implies a definitive, authoritative, and divinely guided ruling through Moses, preventing cases from being stalled or unjustly dismissed due to complexity.

Words-group analysis:

• "You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike." This phrase connects the negative command against prejudice with the positive duty to afford equal hearing and attention to everyone. It is the cornerstone of a fair judicial system, establishing justice not merely as avoiding bias but actively pursuing equitable consideration for all. It highlights that the spirit of impartiality must govern every aspect of the legal process.
• "You shall not be afraid in anyone's presence, for the judgment is God's." This powerful clause directly links the necessity for judicial courage to the divine source of authority. Judges are emboldened by the knowledge that they are acting on God's behalf, making them immune to human intimidation. This foundational principle elevates justice from a human endeavor to a sacred trust, where fear of God supersedes the fear of man.
• "And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it." This practical provision demonstrates the wisdom and completeness of God's judicial system. It accounts for human limitations by establishing a mechanism for appealing complex issues to a higher, divinely-guided authority (Moses), ensuring that every case can eventually reach a just and authoritative resolution, ultimately stemming from God's wisdom.

Deuteronomy 1 17 Bonus section

This verse provides a crucial theological framework for understanding Israel's judicial system not merely as a set of rules but as a manifestation of God's own character on earth. The judge, by being impartial and fearless, directly mirrors Yahweh who "shows no partiality" (Deut 10:17). This elevates the judicial role from a secular administrative function to a sacred ministry, a priesthood of justice. The phrase "judgment is God's" serves as both a comfort and a stern warning: comfort because God's omnipresence ensures His support and oversight, and warning because those who pervert justice will ultimately answer to Him. This principle applies universally, extending beyond the literal courtroom to any leadership position, whether in a family, community, or church, emphasizing that all decisions must be made with equity and courage, trusting in divine sovereignty.

Deuteronomy 1 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:17 encapsulates foundational principles for any righteous legal system, deeply rooted in the character of God. It charges those entrusted with judgment to be strictly impartial, hearing all parties—the marginalized and the powerful—with equal attention and without prejudice. This command against "recognizing faces" directly challenges human inclination towards favoritism and serves as a powerful testament to God's own unwavering equity. Furthermore, judges are commanded to act without fear of human intimidation, because their authority and the ultimate source of judgment is God Himself. They are not merely arbiters of human disputes but representatives of divine justice. Finally, acknowledging human fallibility, the verse establishes an appeals process, ensuring that cases too difficult for lower courts are brought to a higher, divinely guided authority (in this instance, Moses), thereby ensuring no just matter is left unresolved or wrongly decided. The verse practically applies the abstract theological truth of God's perfect justice by demanding that human courts emulate His impartiality, courage, and ultimate wisdom. It sets a high standard for governance, seeing justice as a divine enterprise that requires humility, courage, and absolute dedication to truth, transcending human bias and fear. For believers, this extends beyond the legal sphere to how all are called to administer justice and fairness in every interaction, remembering that ultimately, all judgment belongs to God.