Deuteronomy 17 10

Deuteronomy 17:10 kjv

And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall show thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:

Deuteronomy 17:10 nkjv

You shall do according to the sentence which they pronounce upon you in that place which the LORD chooses. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they order you.

Deuteronomy 17:10 niv

You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do.

Deuteronomy 17:10 esv

Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the LORD will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you.

Deuteronomy 17:10 nlt

You must carry out the verdict they announce and the sentence they prescribe at the place the LORD chooses. You must do exactly what they say.

Deuteronomy 17 verses

Deuteronomy 17 10 Meaning

Deuteronomy 17:10 instructs the people of Israel to scrupulously and completely obey the judicial rulings made by the appointed priests and judges at the central sanctuary, which the Lord Himself would choose. This verse underscores the divine authority underpinning their legal decisions and demands the careful execution of all their commands without deviation, establishing a final, unified court of appeal for difficult cases.

Deuteronomy 17 10 Context

Deuteronomy 17:10 is part of Moses' address to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, laying down the fundamental laws for their future society. This specific passage (Deut 17:8-13) establishes the supreme judicial authority in Israel, centralizing legal appeals. It follows the appointment of local judges and officers in Deut 16:18 and precedes the laws concerning kingship, priests, and prophets in chapters 17-18. Historically, it anticipated a future when Israel would be settled and require a robust, centralized legal system to prevent local injustice and ensure a consistent application of divine law across all tribes. It countered the potential for a fragmented society where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Jdg 17:6).

Deuteronomy 17 10 Word analysis

• And you shall do (וְעָשִׂיתָ – v'asita): This is a strong imperative, a direct command, highlighting an active requirement for the people. It's not a suggestion but an absolute instruction for obedient action.
• according to the sentence (עַל פִּי הַדָּבָר – al pi ha-davar): Literally "on the mouth of the word" or "according to the mouth of the matter."
  • sentence / word / matter (הַדָּבָר – ha-davar): The Hebrew term davar is rich, meaning "word," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." Here, it signifies the binding judicial decision, the specific ruling handed down in a complex case. It emphasizes that the authority lies in the pronounced verdict.
• which they declare to you (אֲשֶׁר יַגִּידוּ לְךָ – asher yaggidu lekha): From the verb nagad (נָגַד), meaning "to declare," "tell," or "report." It denotes an official, clear proclamation of the judgment, leaving no room for ambiguity about the verdict.
• from that place (מִן־הַמָּקוֹם – min ha-maqom): Maqom (מָּקוֹם) refers to "the place" par excellence, which in Deuteronomy consistently designates the single, central sanctuary that God would choose for His name to dwell, eventually fulfilled by the Tabernacle (e.g., in Shiloh) and later the Temple in Jerusalem.
• which the Lord will choose (אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה – asher yivchar Adonai): The verb bachar (בָּחַר), "to choose," emphasizes the divine prerogative and legitimation. The authority of this judicial court derived directly from God's personal selection of the location and, implicitly, the structure of its administration. Their decisions carried God's imprimatur because they operated in His divinely ordained sphere.
• and you shall be careful to do (וְשָׁמַרְתָּ לַעֲשׂוֹת – v'shamarta la'asot):
  • be careful (וְשָׁמַרְתָּ – v'shamarta): From shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to keep," "guard," "watch over," "observe." This signifies diligent, watchful, and meticulous observance.
  • to do (לַעֲשׂוֹת – la'asot): Reinforces the action aspect, but when combined with shamar, it implies a precise and faithful execution, ensuring no part of the judgment is neglected or altered. It's about preserving the integrity of the command through obedient action.
• according to all that they order you (כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יְצוּוּךָ – kekhol asher yetzavvukha):
  • according to all (כְּכֹל – kekhol): The inclusion of "all" (khol) stresses the comprehensive nature of the required obedience. No part of the order is to be omitted or questioned.
  • order you (יְצוּוּךָ – yetzavvukha): From tzavah (צָוָה), "to command," "instruct," or "order." It highlights the authoritative nature of their pronouncements as mandates, not mere suggestions.

Words-group Analysis:

• "according to the sentence...from that place which the Lord will choose": This phrase highlights the divine origin and legitimate channel of the legal ruling. The authority of the judgment does not reside inherently in the judges or priests, but in the fact that it is God's own decision conveyed through His divinely chosen apparatus—the judges and priests officiating in His specifically designated sanctuary.
• "and you shall be careful to do according to all that they order you": This powerfully conveys the scope and sincerity of the required obedience. It emphasizes a complete, unreserved, and diligently executed adherence to the judicial decree. This comprehensive compliance ensures the unity and stability of the national legal system and ultimately, adherence to God's will.

Deuteronomy 17 10 Bonus section

The system established in Deuteronomy 17 aimed to balance local justice with national uniformity, crucial for a newly unified nation emerging from tribal structures. While seemingly granting significant power to judges and priests, the Deuteronomic law also provided internal checks through the meticulous requirements for a king (Deut 17:14-20) and for prophets (Deut 18:15-22), ensuring no single office could exercise arbitrary power outside of God's revealed will. The command to obey is specifically "according to the sentence...which they declare," meaning decisions that are consistent with divine law, not arbitrary decrees. This principle forms a foundational understanding for respecting God-given authority within human institutions, provided those institutions function according to divine mandates.

Deuteronomy 17 10 Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:10 forms a cornerstone for the administration of justice in ancient Israel. It establishes a supreme court, comprised of priests and a judge, located at the divinely chosen sanctuary, to handle cases too complex for local courts. The demand for strict obedience to their judgments is crucial because these rulings are understood to emanate from God's chosen place, therefore bearing divine sanction. This central judicial authority was designed to prevent a chaotic "every man doing what is right in his own eyes" scenario, ensuring consistency, equity, and fidelity to God's law across the entire nation. It emphasizes that Israel's identity as a covenant people required a just society where legal decisions, especially in difficult matters, were final and respected. While the passage emphasizes submission to human authorities, it implicitly understood that these authorities operated under the ultimate authority of God and His revealed law. This principle prefigures the New Testament concept of respecting legitimate human authority, whether civil or ecclesial, as instituted by God, yet with the underlying caveat that ultimate obedience always belongs to God (Acts 5:29). Practically, it underscores the importance of trusting the integrity of judicial processes in matters beyond individual comprehension and adhering to legitimate authoritative decisions for societal order.