Deuteronomy 17 18

Deuteronomy 17:18 kjv

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:

Deuteronomy 17:18 nkjv

"Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.

Deuteronomy 17:18 niv

When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests.

Deuteronomy 17:18 esv

"And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.

Deuteronomy 17:18 nlt

"When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

Deuteronomy 17 verses

Deuteronomy 17 18 Meaning

Upon assuming the throne, the king of Israel was commanded to personally write a copy of God's law. This copy had to be an exact duplicate of the authoritative text preserved by the Levitical priests. This divine directive underscored that the king's authority was subordinate to God's law, requiring him to govern by divine principles and live in constant mindfulness of God's will.

Deuteronomy 17 18 Context

Deuteronomy 17 establishes laws concerning Israel's future leadership. Prior to this verse, it outlines regulations for just judges (v. 8-13) and procedures for handling difficult cases. Verses 14-20 then anticipate the time when Israel will desire a king, prescribing God's chosen standards for monarchy. This passage directly confronts the norms of kingship prevalent in the ancient Near East, where monarchs often wielded absolute power, considered themselves divine or semi-divine, and were typically exempt from laws. In contrast, the Israelite king is placed squarely under God's divine Law, defining a unique covenantal kingship where the king is Yahweh's vice-regent, accountable to Him. Verse 18 is the cornerstone of these regulations, requiring the king's personal dedication to the Torah from the very outset of his reign.

Deuteronomy 17 18 Word analysis

• And it shall be (וְהָיָה - vehayah): A common prophetic-legal idiom signaling a future condition or event, followed by an imperative or consequence. It introduces a specific, significant instruction for the future.
• when he sitteth (בְּשִׁבְתּוֹ - beshivto): Literally "in his sitting." This denotes the very act of him taking up residence and power "upon the throne of his kingdom," indicating this is a foundational duty to be fulfilled at the beginning of his reign, symbolizing his submission at the moment of assuming power.
• upon the throne of his kingdom: This emphasizes that even at the peak of human authority and majesty, the king is bound by a higher power and higher law – that of God. It places God's sovereignty over earthly rulership.
• that he shall write him (וְכָתַב־לוֹ - vekhatav-lo):
  • shall write: A clear, direct command for the king's active participation. This is not to be delegated completely but must involve personal effort, promoting intimate familiarity with the Law.
  • him: The suffix lo means "for himself" or "for his own use." This copy is explicitly for the king's personal study, guidance, and meditation, ensuring a deep and internal commitment to its principles. It emphasizes a king's inner transformation guided by the Word.
• a copy (מִשְׁנֵה - mishneh): From the root meaning "to repeat" or "to duplicate." It means an exact replica, not an edited version, summary, or interpretation. This signifies the unalterable, authoritative nature of God's revealed will. Its precise duplication emphasizes faithfulness to the original.
• of this law (הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת - ha-Torah hazot):
  • The Law: Refers to the entire body of divine instruction given through Moses – God's specific commands, statutes, and principles contained in the books of the Pentateuch, especially what Moses was articulating in Deuteronomy. It encompasses all divine instruction, not merely a segment.
  • this: Points to the definitive, authoritative law given by God to Israel.
• in a book (סֵפֶר - sefer): Refers to a scroll or written document. This signifies the permanent, tangible, and accessible nature of God's Word, ensuring its preservation and transmission.
• out of that which is before (מִפְּנֵי - mippene): Literally, "from the face of" or "from the presence of." This preposition indicates the authoritative source from which the copy must be made. It mandates deriving the copy from the official, genuine, and verified text.
• the priests the Levites: These were the divinely appointed custodians of God's Law. They were responsible for its safekeeping, transmission, and teaching. Their custody guaranteed the authenticity and purity of the original text from which the king's copy was to be made, preventing alteration or corruption by royal whim.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom": Establishes the exact timing and context for this command. It's for the very moment of a king's inauguration, signaling that obedience to God's law is foundational to righteous rule from its inception. It emphasizes divine expectation at the height of human power.
• "that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book": This phrase details the specific action and its object. The personal act of writing (him as in "for himself") combined with "a copy of this law" (not his own law or an interpretation) signifies total allegiance and deep engagement with God's authoritative Word as the basis of his rule and personal life. The "book" indicates permanence and accessibility.
• "out of that which is before the priests the Levites": This crucial qualification identifies the authoritative source for the Law. It highlights the priesthood's unique role as guardians of the uncorrupted Word and establishes an external, divinely appointed check against the king creating his own version of the law. This safeguards the integrity and supremacy of God's revealed will over human power.

Deuteronomy 17 18 Bonus section

• The act of copying was not a mere secretarial duty; it was a deeply meditative process that fostered memory and understanding of every command.
• This requirement was a strong prophetic foresight by Moses, predicting a time when Israel would desire a king, even before the monarchy was established (centuries before King Saul).
• Rabbinic tradition debated if the king literally wrote it by hand or commissioned it but personally reviewed/participated heavily, but the essence remains his personal internalization and responsibility.
• This command is vital for Christian leaders today. Just as the ancient king, leaders in God's Kingdom must continually immerse themselves in God's Word. Their authority is always subject to Christ and His Word, serving as a beacon for all their decisions and actions. The example of King Josiah, who renewed the covenant after the rediscovery of the Law, underscores the transformative power of a leader's renewed commitment to God's Word.

Deuteronomy 17 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:18 sets forth a revolutionary model for kingship that radically departed from the tyrannical monarchies of the ancient world. The Israelite king, far from being a law unto himself or a divine embodiment, was to be a servant under the ultimate King, Yahweh. His first act on ascending the throne was a humbling yet profound declaration of dependence: to personally copy God's law. This was not a passive administrative task, but an act of immersive study and commitment. By actively transcribing the Torah from the authoritative copy held by the priests, the king was meant to internalize its precepts, shaping his heart and mind by divine wisdom. This practice fostered intimate familiarity with God's commands, ensuring that he would govern according to justice, mercy, and faithfulness to the covenant, rather than personal ambition or worldly counsel. The king's subjection to the Law, symbolized by this copying, aimed to prevent despotism, pride, and apostasy, promoting a monarchy dedicated to righteousness and service to God and His people.