Deuteronomy 17 20

Deuteronomy 17:20 kjv

That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:20 nkjv

that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:20 niv

and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:20 esv

that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:20 nlt

This regular reading will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. And it will ensure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17 verses

Deuteronomy 17 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 17:20 delineates the primary principles for the Israelite king to uphold his divine mandate. It commands him to maintain humility, preventing pride over his fellow Israelites, and to remain steadfastly obedient to God's commandments, never deviating from them. The overarching purpose for this righteous conduct is to ensure the longevity and stability of his reign and his dynasty within Israel.

Deuteronomy 17 20 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 17 sets forth statutes for future kings of Israel. Verses 14-20 specifically outline the regulations concerning the appointment and conduct of a king, anticipating a time when Israel would desire a monarch like surrounding nations (17:14). Unlike pagan kings who were often deified and autocratic, Israel's king was to be one from among his brethren, appointed by God (17:15). He was to avoid accumulating excessive horses, wives, or silver and gold (17:16-17), which could lead to pride, foreign alliances, and a heart turning away from the Lord. Crucially, the king was required to write a copy of the Law and read it daily (17:18-19). This established that the king was not above the Law, but under it, subject to the same divine commandments as every other Israelite. Verse 20 functions as the concluding summary of these regulations, stating the purpose and benefits of adherence. Historically, this prescribed unique Israelite kingship directly challenged the tyrannical and often deified rule seen in contemporaneous Near Eastern empires.

Deuteronomy 17 20 Word analysis

• that his heart (לְבָבוֹ - levavoh)

  • levavoh refers to the inner core of a person—their intellect, will, emotions, and moral center. This word highlights that true obedience and humility begin internally, influencing outward actions.

• may not be lifted up (רוּם - rum)

  • rum signifies to be high, exalted, or arrogant. In this context, it speaks of pride, a haughty spirit that considers oneself superior. This warning is particularly significant for a ruler, whose position could easily foster such an attitude.

• above his brethren (מֵאֶחָיו - me'echav)

  • me'echav means "from among his brothers" or "above his kindred." This phrase powerfully underscores that the Israelite king, despite his elevated position, remains a fellow Israelite, not fundamentally distinct or superior to the people he rules. It emphasizes the foundational equality within the covenant community.

• and that he may not turn aside (סוּר - sur)

  • sur means to turn aside, deviate, or depart. It implies a departure from a prescribed path, emphasizing faithfulness and strict adherence.

• from the commandment (מִן־הַמִּצְוָה - min ha-mitzvah)

  • min ha-mitzvah refers to the divine precept or instruction given by God. It signifies that God's law is the supreme authority and ultimate guide for the king's rule.

• to the right hand or to the left (יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול - yamin u-smol)

  • This is an idiomatic expression for not deviating at all. It demands strict, unswerving adherence to God's directives, emphasizing that there is no legitimate alternative path or interpretation to God's clearly revealed will.

• in order that he may continue long (לְמַעַן הַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים - le-ma'an ha'arikh yamim)

  • This phrase indicates the purpose or consequence of the king's obedience: a prolonged life and reign. Longevity in rule was seen as a mark of divine favor and success in ancient Near Eastern cultures.

• in his kingdom (עַל־מַמְלַכְתּוֹ - al mamlakhto)

  • mamlakhto refers to his reign or dominion. The king's obedience secures the stability and endurance of his kingship itself.

• he and his children (הוּא וּבָנָיו - hu u-vanav)

  • This specifies the dynastic continuation. Obedience ensures not only the king's personal reign but also the stability of his descendants on the throne. This reflects the ancient emphasis on generational continuity and legacy.

• in the midst of Israel (בְּקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל - be-kerev Yisra'el)

  • This phrase reiterates that the king's rule and dynasty are rooted within the covenant community of Israel, not a separate, absolute entity above them. His welfare is intertwined with that of the nation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• לְבִלְתִּי רוּם לְבָבוֹ מֵאֶחָיו ("that his heart may not be lifted up above his brethren"): This core phrase targets the internal attitude of the king. It demands humility as a fundamental quality, directly counteracting the typical self-exaltation of ancient monarchs. This prevents him from becoming a tyrant who abuses his power or forgets his solidarity with God's people.

• וּלְבִלְתִּי סוּר מִן־הַמִּצְוָה יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול ("and that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left"): This group focuses on the king's outward conduct, requiring unwavering obedience to God's revealed will. The Law, not personal whim or political expediency, must guide his decisions and actions, emphasizing the King's subordination to the divine constitution for Israel.

• לְמַעַן הַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים עַל־מַמְלַכְתּוֹ הוּא וּבָנָיו בְּקֶרֶב יִשְׂרָאֵל ("in order that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel"): This section declares the divine promise attached to humble obedience. Stability, longevity, and dynastic succession are not entitlements of the monarch, but conditional blessings dependent on faithfulness to God's covenant and law, thus linking individual righteous behavior to corporate and generational well-being.

Deuteronomy 17 20 Bonus section

• The passage reveals the Lord's foresight in anticipating a monarchy for Israel and His gracious provision of regulations to keep it distinct from the oppressive monarchies of the Gentiles.
• This instruction directly contrasts the failures of kings like Saul, whose pride led to his rejection (1 Sam 15), and Solomon, whose heart turned from the Lord despite receiving divine wisdom (1 Kgs 11).
• The king's required personal copy and daily reading of the law (Deut 17:18-19) reinforces the expectation that his actions would be guided by profound personal understanding and devotion to the Word.
• The concept of the king as "one among his brethren" reflects God's broader desire for social equity and justice within Israel, where no one, not even the highest authority, stands above the divine covenant.

Deuteronomy 17 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:20 encapsulates the ideal for Israel's unique kingship: one founded on humility and steadfast obedience to God's commands. Unlike the kings of surrounding nations, who often viewed themselves as divine or autonomous rulers, Israel's king was explicitly commanded to remain as "one among his brethren," subject to the same divine law. The prohibition against a "lifted heart" speaks to the spiritual danger of pride and self-exaltation that power often cultivates, urging the king to avoid the pitfalls of tyranny and disconnection from the very people he governs.

The command not to "turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left" stresses the absolute supremacy of God's Word as the constitution for Israel. The king's authority was derived from and subservient to the divine Torah; he was its primary guardian and executor, not its author or modifier. His reign was not based on military might or economic wealth, but on fidelity to the Lord. The consequence of such adherence—longevity of his reign and his dynasty—highlights God's principle of blessing contingent upon obedience, a theme pervasive throughout the historical books. This verse therefore sets a prophetic standard against which every future king of Israel and Judah would be measured, a standard against which most ultimately fell short. Ultimately, it points forward to Christ, the perfectly humble King whose perfect obedience secured His eternal and unshakable Kingdom.