Deuteronomy 17 4

Deuteronomy 17:4 kjv

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:

Deuteronomy 17:4 nkjv

and it is told you, and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination has been committed in Israel,

Deuteronomy 17:4 niv

and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,

Deuteronomy 17:4 esv

and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel,

Deuteronomy 17:4 nlt

When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,

Deuteronomy 17 verses

Deuteronomy 17 4 Meaning

Deuteronomy 17:4 outlines a stringent judicial process required before the death penalty can be administered for idolatry. It emphasizes the need for a thorough and meticulous investigation when an accusation of worshiping other gods or cosmic bodies (as per 17:2-3) arises. The verse stipulates that only after diligent inquiry confirms the accusation to be absolutely true and unequivocally established can such a capital offense be deemed committed. This underscores the paramount importance of due process, truth, and certainty in the administration of justice, particularly in matters of faith and life.

Deuteronomy 17 4 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 17, from which verse 4 is taken, details the laws pertaining to various forms of civil authority within Israel, including judges, priests, and future kings. Specifically, verses 2 through 7 establish the protocol for handling cases of idolatry – the most grievous offense against God's covenant with Israel. This passage follows prohibitions against human sacrifice and forms of divination (Deut 16:21–17:1), setting the stage for capital offenses against YHWH's exclusive worship. The context is crucial: Israel is about to enter the Promised Land, a region saturated with polytheistic worship and associated immoral practices. Thus, the laws in Deuteronomy emphasize uncompromising loyalty to the one God, YHWH, and the severe consequences of violating that covenant. Verse 4 specifies the legal due process necessary to prevent false accusations and ensure righteous judgment in such life-and-death situations. This emphasis on rigorous inquiry also served as a polemic against the often arbitrary and less stringent legal practices of surrounding nations.

Deuteronomy 17 4 Word analysis

• And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it: This opening phrase highlights the initial stage of any legal process: the receipt of information or an accusation. The repetition of "told" and "heard" emphasizes that the authorities must not only receive the report but also acknowledge and register it, indicating the beginning of their responsibility.
• and inquired diligently (וְדָרַשְׁתָּ הֵיטֵב - wəḏāraštā hêṭēḇ): This is a pivotal command.
  • dāraš (דָּרַשׁ): Means "to seek," "to inquire," "to investigate," "to examine carefully," "to require." It implies an active, thorough, and purposeful search for facts, not a superficial look. This term is often used in seeking God's will (e.g., Ps 27:8, Isa 55:6), indicating that the same level of seriousness and diligence applies to human justice.
  • hêṭēḇ (הֵיטֵב): An adverb meaning "well," "thoroughly," "diligently," "properly." When combined with dāraš, it intensifies the command, requiring the most careful and comprehensive investigation possible. It reflects God's demand for meticulous justice and integrity in the legal process, ensuring innocent lives are protected and that truth prevails.
• and, behold, it be true (וְהִנֵּה אֱמֶת - wəhinnēh ’ĕmeṯ):
  • hinnēh (הִנֵּה): "Behold," "lo." An interjection that draws attention to a newly established fact, suggesting the clear revelation of the truth.
  • ’ĕmeṯ (אֱמֶת): "Truth," "firmness," "reliability," "faithfulness." The outcome of the diligent inquiry must be objective and verifiable truth. This truth is not subjective opinion but a concrete reality established by the investigation.
• and the thing certain (וְנָכוֹן הַדָּבָר - wənāḵōn haddāḇār):
  • nāḵōn (נָכוֹן): A form of kūn, meaning "to be established," "to be firm," "to be secure," "to be certain," "to be proven." It signifies that the facts are not just "true" in concept but firmly validated and incontrovertible, leaving no room for reasonable doubt.
  • dāḇār (דָּבָר): "Word," "matter," "thing," "affair." Refers to the case, the charge, or the entire matter under investigation.
  • Words-group analysis ("true, and the thing certain"): This pairing of "true" and "certain" serves as a double affirmation of proof. It signifies that the findings must be not merely plausible or likely but unequivocally proven and established as fact. This rigorous standard protected against conviction based on mere suspicion, rumor, or insufficient evidence, especially given the severity of the potential penalty (death). It emphasizes a legal certainty required before capital punishment.
• that such abomination (כִּי־תּוֹעֵבָה כָּזֹאת - kî-ṯô‘ēḇāh kāzō’ṯ):
  • tô‘ēḇāh (תּוֹעֵבָה): "Abomination," "detestable thing," "loathsome deed." This strong term is used repeatedly in the Hebrew Bible to describe practices utterly repugnant to YHWH and the covenantal purity of Israel. It primarily refers to idolatry (Deut 18:9, Jer 32:35), but also other pagan rituals and sexual perversions (Lev 18:22, Deut 22:5). Its use here highlights the extreme spiritual offense of idolatry in God's eyes.
  • kāzō’ṯ (כָּזֹאת): "Such." Refers back to the specific act of serving other gods and cosmic bodies mentioned in Deut 17:2-3.
  • Words-group analysis ("such abomination is wrought in Israel"): This phrase points to the specific nature of the crime and its impact. "Such abomination" clarifies the specific type of transgression being addressed – fundamental breach of the First Commandment. "Is wrought in Israel" stresses that this grievous act has taken place within the covenant community, necessitating action to maintain the nation's holiness and covenant relationship with God. It implies defilement of the community itself by such a deed.

Deuteronomy 17 4 Bonus section

The legal principles laid out in Deuteronomy 17:4 illustrate several key aspects of God's revealed law for His people:

• God's demand for rigorous due process: Unlike arbitrary legal systems, Israel's law mandated a thorough investigation. This demonstrates that God values truth and justice over immediate retaliation or prejudiced judgment, even in cases of grave sin.
• Protection against false witness: By requiring certainty and diligent inquiry, the law provided a vital safeguard against false accusations and malicious intent, preventing innocent blood from being shed (Deut 19:18-19). This emphasis highlights the high value God places on human life and integrity.
• The judicial role as God's representative: Those who "inquire diligently" act as God's agents in upholding His justice. Their work must mirror God's own attribute of truth and righteousness.
• The corporate impact of sin: The phrase "wrought in Israel" emphasizes that idolatry is not merely a private sin but one that contaminates the entire community, necessitating communal action to purge it and restore covenant integrity. This responsibility extended to the civil authorities established by God.

Deuteronomy 17 4 Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:4 sets forth the stringent requirement for a meticulous legal investigation in capital cases, particularly idolatry. Before any punitive action, including the death penalty prescribed for such a grave offense (Deut 17:5), the accusers and judges were mandated to "inquire diligently." This wasn't a suggestion but a divine imperative (wəḏāraštā hêṭēḇ) demanding comprehensive and honest fact-finding. The goal was to establish the absolute truth (’ĕmeṯ) and certainty (nāḵōn) of the matter, leaving no reasonable doubt. This high standard protected individuals from hasty or malicious accusations, reflecting God's character as a just and righteous judge. The "abomination" (tô‘ēḇāh) wrought "in Israel" underscored the profound theological significance of the crime, as idolatry polluted the land and jeopardized Israel's unique relationship with YHWH. The verse therefore is not merely about punishment but about a divinely instituted legal process designed to uphold truth, secure justice, and maintain the holiness of God's covenant people by purging evil from their midst (Deut 13:5, 17:7).