Deuteronomy 17 19

Deuteronomy 17:19 kjv

And 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:

Deuteronomy 17:19 nkjv

And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,

Deuteronomy 17:19 niv

It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees

Deuteronomy 17:19 esv

And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,

Deuteronomy 17:19 nlt

He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.

Deuteronomy 17 verses

Deuteronomy 17 19 Meaning

Deuteronomy 17:19 prescribes a continuous, lifelong engagement with the divinely revealed Law for the Israelite king. The purpose of this constant study is to cultivate a reverential fear of the LORD, leading to faithful adherence to all of God's commands and statutes. This sustained study ensures the king's humility, righteousness, and commitment to ruling according to divine principles rather than personal whim, establishing a leadership founded on obedience and justice for the people.

Deuteronomy 17 19 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 17 sets out specific instructions for Israel's future kings. Moses anticipates a time when Israel will desire a king, similar to surrounding nations. However, unlike other nations where kings were absolute rulers, the Israelite king was to be divinely appointed and subject to God's law. Verses 14-20 detail the qualifications and limitations for the monarch, primarily prohibiting reliance on horses (military might), many wives (foreign alliances/idolatry), and excessive gold and silver (oppression/covetousness). This specific verse (17:19) directly commands the king's intimate and continuous relationship with the Law. The historical context reflects a strong polemic against the absolute and self-serving monarchies prevalent in the ancient Near East. Israel's king was not above the Law but beneath it, functioning as God's representative to administer justice according to divine principles. His rule was meant to be distinct, a demonstration of Yahweh's unique covenant relationship with His people, emphasizing ethical governance rooted in divine command rather than personal power or caprice.

Deuteronomy 17 19 Word analysis

• And it shall be with him, (wěhāyětâ ʿimmaham)

  • wěhāyětâ: "And it shall be/happen/come to pass." Conveys inevitability and divine decree.
  • ʿimmaham: "with him." Indicates physical presence, close proximity. The copy of the Law is not just a symbolic document; it must literally be accessible to the king at all times. This underscores the law's pervasive influence on his daily life and decisions.

• and he shall read in it (wěqārāʾ-bô)

  • wěqārāʾ: "and he shall read/call out/proclaim." The root qaraʾ implies active engagement—not just scanning, but diligent study and potentially public declaration or recitation. This reading is an act of learning and internalization.
  • bô: "in it." Directly refers to the copy of the Law mentioned in the preceding verse.

• all the days of his life, (kol-yĕmê ḥayyāyw)

  • kol-yĕmê: "all the days of." Emphasizes perpetuity, without interruption.
  • ḥayyāyw: "his life." Highlights a lifelong commitment; this is not a one-time study or a periodic review, but a continual practice from ascension to death. It suggests a sustained process of learning and living by the Law.

• that he may learn (lĕmaʿan yilmad)

  • lĕmaʿan: "in order that, for the purpose of." Expresses the explicit objective or goal.
  • yilmad: "he may learn." The root lamad means to learn, teach, or instruct oneself. This learning is experiential and transformative, moving beyond mere intellectual knowledge to internal apprehension and understanding. It's a continuous process of being instructed by the text.

• to fear the LORD his God, (lĕyirʾâ ʾet-YHWH ʾĕlōhāyw)

  • lĕyirʾâ: "to fear." The noun yirʾah refers to a deep reverence, awe, respect, and obedient submission, rather than mere terror. It encapsulates the proper response to God's holiness and authority, leading to worship and obedience.
  • YHWH ʾĕlōhāyw: "the LORD his God." Emphasizes God's personal covenant relationship with the king and Israel. The fear is directed specifically at the covenant-keeping God.

• to keep all the words of this law (lišmōr ʾet-kol-dibrê hat-tôrâ haz-zōʾt)

  • lišmōr: "to keep/guard/observe." Implies diligent preservation, careful observance, and active adherence to the commands. It means protecting the integrity of the Law and faithfully fulfilling its requirements.
  • dibrê hat-tôrâ haz-zōʾt: "words of this law." Refers to the commandments, precepts, and instructions given by God. Torah fundamentally means "instruction" or "teaching."

• and these statutes, (wĕʾet-ḥuqqāw ʾēlâ)

  • ḥuqqāw: "his statutes/decrees." These are prescribed ordinances, fixed regulations, often emphasizing their divine authority and unchangeable nature. They are integral to the Torah.

• to do them; (laʿasōtām)

  • laʿasōtām: "to do/make/perform them." This is the ultimate practical outcome. It moves beyond knowing or hearing to actively implementing and carrying out the commands. It signifies practical obedience and living out the principles of the Law in the king's administration and personal life.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life": This phrase establishes the method and duration of engagement. It implies constant accessibility and an unceasing commitment to absorbing the divine instruction. It means the Law should be the king's constant companion and the subject of his lifelong study.
  • "that he may learn to fear the LORD his God": This defines the core transformative purpose of the study. It's not merely academic knowledge, but a deep spiritual learning that shapes character, fostering true piety, humility, and right standing before God. It connects study to a genuine, obedient reverence for God.
  • "to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them": These two phrases clarify the behavioral outcome. The king's learning and fear are directly channeled into practical obedience. It moves from intellectual understanding and spiritual reverence to concrete action, ensuring that God's Law is the supreme guide for his reign.

Deuteronomy 17 19 Bonus section

• This verse underpins the concept of constitutional monarchy within ancient Israel, where the Law of God served as the ultimate constitution to which even the king was subject.
• The emphasis on "all the days of his life" implies that the king's moral and spiritual development was an ongoing process, preventing complacency or spiritual drift once in power. It suggests that leadership in God's people requires a lifelong pursuit of divine wisdom and righteousness.
• The prescribed personal copy of the Law indicates the importance of individual engagement with Scripture, beyond communal or priestly readings, for those in leadership roles.
• The instruction implies a critical need for self-discipline and humility in a leader; the act of consistently reading and submitting to an external law combats pride and the abuse of power.
• This passage stands as a strong theological safeguard against the very dangers later experienced by many kings of Israel, such as Solomon's idolatry through many wives (Deut 17:17), Ahab's covetousness leading to injustice (1 Kgs 21:1-16), or Saul's disobedience (1 Sam 15:10-23). The verse outlines precisely what they failed to do.

Deuteronomy 17 19 Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:19 delivers a profound charge to the Israelite king, distinguishing him sharply from typical Near Eastern monarchs. His authority is not inherent but derived from God, and it is entirely circumscribed by the divine Law. The command for continuous, lifelong reading of the Law signifies that his education and governance are perpetual acts of submission to God. This intensive study is the prescribed means by which he would "learn to fear the LORD his God." This "fear" is not terror, but a profound, obedient reverence—a central biblical theme indicating right relationship with the Almighty. Such piety naturally leads to "keeping" and "doing" God's commandments, making obedience the hallmark of his reign.

The verse essentially establishes the king as the primary example of living under the covenant. His diligent application of the Law was intended to counteract human tendencies towards arrogance, self-exaltation, and divergence from divine standards. By constantly immersing himself in the Law, the king would be reminded of his own fallibility, God's supreme authority, and the principles of justice and righteousness he was bound to uphold for the entire nation. His rule was meant to reflect God's justice, peace, and order, preventing tyranny and promoting covenant fidelity within Israel. The ultimate goal was to ensure his heart did not "turn aside from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left" (Deut 17:20), guaranteeing the stability and longevity of his kingdom and fostering a righteous nation.