Deuteronomy 17:16 kjv
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.
Deuteronomy 17:16 nkjv
But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, 'You shall not return that way again.'
Deuteronomy 17:16 niv
The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again."
Deuteronomy 17:16 esv
Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, 'You shall never return that way again.'
Deuteronomy 17:16 nlt
"The king must not build up a large stable of horses for himself or send his people to Egypt to buy horses, for the LORD has told you, 'You must never return to Egypt.'
Deuteronomy 17 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 14:13 | And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD... for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. | Initial promise that Israel would not return to Egypt. |
| Exo 15:22 | So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur... | First journey away from Egypt, foundational. |
| Deut 28:68 | And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships...and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies...and no man shall buy you. | Consequence of disobedience: forced return to bondage. |
| 1 Sam 8:5, 7 | "Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."... for they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. | Desire for a king "like all nations" (worldly model). |
| 1 Kgs 4:26 | And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. | Solomon's direct violation of the command regarding horses. |
| 1 Kgs 10:26-29 | And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen...and brought up horses out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. | Solomon importing horses from Egypt, a clear breach. |
| Isa 2:7 | Their land also is full of silver and gold...Their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots. | Prophetic condemnation of reliance on wealth and military. |
| Isa 30:2 | Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of My spirit, that they may add sin to sin: | Warning against making alliances with Egypt. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots...but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel. | Direct condemnation of relying on Egyptian military (horses/chariots). |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Contrast: trusting in worldly power vs. God. |
| Psa 33:17 | A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. | Reiterates the futility of trusting in horses for salvation. |
| Hos 14:3 | Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in Thee the fatherless find mercy. | Repentance includes abandoning trust in foreign powers and horses. |
| Jer 42:15-17 | "If ye wholly set your faces to enter into Egypt, and go to sojourn there; Then it shall come to pass, that the sword...shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt..." | Warning against returning to Egypt after the Babylonian exile. |
| Zec 9:10 | And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off; and He shall speak peace unto the nations. | Prophecy of Messiah's peaceful kingdom, disarming worldly power. |
| Mic 5:10 | And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: | God removes sources of misplaced trust, including horses. |
| 2 Chr 9:25 | And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen... | Another record of Solomon's excessive horses, similar to 1 Kgs. |
| Pro 21:31 | The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. | Military readiness is human, but deliverance is divine. |
| Psa 147:10 | He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. | God's pleasure is not in human/animal might. |
| 2 Kgs 18:24 | Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou challengest Me to put My trust in horses and chariots? | Rabshakeh mocks Hezekiah's perceived lack of horses/chariots. |
| Gal 5:1 | Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. | New Covenant parallel: spiritual "return to Egypt" (bondage). |
| 1 Tim 6:17 | Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God... | New Covenant parallel: trusting in God vs. material wealth/power. |
Deuteronomy 17 verses
Deuteronomy 17 16 Meaning
Deuteronomy 17:16 forbids Israel's future king from extensively accumulating horses, which were a symbol of military strength and wealth in ancient times. It also prohibits him from leading the people back to Egypt, specifically for the purpose of acquiring more horses. This command reiterates a divine decree that the Israelites are never to return to Egypt, emphasizing reliance on God rather than worldly power and foreign alliances.
Deuteronomy 17 16 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 17 outlines specific laws for Israel's governance, particularly concerning future kings. Following judicial procedures and laws regarding idolatry, verses 14-20 anticipate the time when Israel will desire a king "like all the nations" (Deut 17:14). These laws act as a divinely inspired constitution for the monarchy, designed to prevent the king from becoming oppressive or self-serving, and to ensure he remains faithful to God's covenant. This specific verse (v.16) highlights key dangers to a God-centered monarchy: self-sufficiency through military power (represented by horses) and compromise through unholy foreign alliances (symbolized by returning to Egypt). Historically, Egypt was the symbol of human power, idolatry, and oppression from which God had miraculously delivered Israel, making any return to it for military strength a grave theological offense and a betrayal of God's redemptive work.
Deuteronomy 17 16 Word analysis
- "But he": Refers directly to "the king" whom Israel would set over themselves (Deut 17:14-15). This specifies a personal responsibility of the monarch.
- "shall not multiply": The Hebrew verb is lo yarbeh (לא ירבה), meaning "he shall not make numerous" or "he shall not increase greatly." It signifies a prohibition against excessive accumulation, not against having horses for practical purposes or limited defense, but against building up a massive cavalry or war machine as an independent source of power. This limitation directly counters the practice of many ancient Near Eastern kings who prided themselves on their military might.
- "horses": Hebrew sus (סוס). In ancient times, horses were highly strategic military assets, essential for chariots and cavalry. Accumulating many horses indicated wealth, prestige, and formidable military power. The prohibition limits the king's ability to rely on human might instead of divine protection. It also serves as a check on potential tyrannical power, as a king with a vast cavalry could easily oppress his own people.
- "to himself": Implies building personal power and prestige, fostering a spirit of self-reliance and ambition rather than humility and dependence on God.
- "nor cause the people to return to Egypt": The Hebrew yashiv et-ha'am Mitzrayim (ישיב את־העם מצרימה) means "he shall not bring the people back to Egypt." This prohibition stems from Israel's formative experience of deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Returning to Egypt for any reason, especially for military advantage, would represent a fundamental reversal of their redemptive history and a betrayal of God's sovereignty. It was an explicit command previously given by God after their Exodus.
- "to the end that he should multiply horses": This clause clarifies the purpose for the prohibited return to Egypt. It explicitly states that the forbidden activity is seeking military strength (horses) from the very nation God liberated them from. This links the two prohibitions: seeking military strength apart from God (horses) and seeking it through compromise with ungodly foreign powers (Egypt).
- "forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you": This phrase establishes the divine authority behind the command. It's not merely Moses' wise counsel but a direct, existing word from God Himself, indicating that this prohibition on returning to Egypt was fundamental to Israel's identity and covenant relationship.
- "Ye shall henceforth return no more that way": The Hebrew lo' tosífun lágasét badárekh hazóh (לא תוסיפון ללכת בדרך הזה) emphasizes the finality and permanence of the command. It marks a decisive break from their past slavery and an unwavering commitment to trust God alone for their security and future. It meant no future treaties, trade agreements, or military alliances that would lead the nation back into an entanglement with Egypt.
Deuteronomy 17 16 Bonus section
- This verse represents a stark contrast to the kingships of surrounding nations, which heavily relied on vast chariot and horse armies as symbols of their power and glory. God desired Israel's king to be different, emphasizing humility, justice, and spiritual reliance.
- The restriction on multiplying horses also likely served to prevent excessive trade or alliances with powerful nations like Egypt that possessed many horses, thus limiting foreign influence and potential syncretism.
- The emphasis on "that way" concerning Egypt reinforces that their pilgrimage through the wilderness was a permanent severance from their past, not just a temporary detour. Their destiny lay in the promised land, secured by God's promise, not a return to bondage.
- Spiritually, "returning to Egypt" can symbolize reverting to old sinful ways, worldly comforts, or placing trust in anything other than God after having experienced His deliverance and truth. It's a call to always move forward in faith, away from the "bondage" of the past.
Deuteronomy 17 16 Commentary
Deuteronomy 17:16 is a foundational warning for Israel's king, deeply rooted in their Exodus experience and God's covenant. It directly addresses the perils of self-sufficiency and worldly entanglement that so often plague rulers. The prohibition against multiplying horses is a practical command intended to cultivate a spirit of dependence on God's power rather than human strength. A king with an excessive cavalry could easily succumb to pride, abuse his authority, or trust in his own military might for protection rather than God. Similarly, the command not to lead the people back to Egypt for military gain powerfully underscores Israel's unique identity as God's redeemed people. Egypt represented both their former bondage and a hub of idolatry and worldly power. Seeking military assets from Egypt would not only defy God's command of never returning to their place of oppression but also risk re-entangling the nation in idolatrous practices and misplaced trust. This verse anticipates King Solomon's later tragic deviation from God's law (1 Kgs 10:26-29), demonstrating the critical importance and spiritual wisdom behind these divinely given constraints. Ultimately, the verse serves as a theological statement that Israel's security, prosperity, and identity flow from their covenant fidelity and unwavering trust in the Lord, not from earthly military might or foreign alliances.