Deuteronomy 17:1-8

Worshiping Other Gods

1 Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.

2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of his covenant,

3 and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky,

4 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,

5 take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.

6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.

Law Courts

8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the LORD your God will choose.

Deuteronomy 17:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 17

This chapter begins with a caution not to sacrifice anything to the Lord that is blemished or ill favoured, De 17:1, an order is given to put to death men or women guilty of idolatry, where it is clearly proved upon them, De 17:2-7 and it is directed that when cases are too hard for inferior judges to determine, they should be brought to Jerusalem to the priests, Levites, and judges, which formed the great consistory there, whose sentence was to be adhered unto on pain of death, De 17:8-13, and rules are given about the choice of a king, and he is informed what he must not do, and what he should do, De 17:14-20.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 12:5; S Leviticus 22:20; Malachi 1:8,13
• 2. Deuteronomy 7:25
• 3. S Deuteronomy 15:21
• 4. Deuteronomy 13:6-11
• 5. Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 7:22-23
• 6. Exodus 22:20
• 7. S Genesis 1:16; Job 31:26
• 8. S Genesis 2:1; S Genesis 37:9
• 9. Deuteronomy 22:20
• 10. Deuteronomy 13:12-14
• 11. S Leviticus 24:14
• 12. Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 19:15; Joshua 7:25; S Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28
• 13. John 8:7
• 14. S Leviticus 24:14; Acts 7:58
• 15. S Deuteronomy 13:5; 1 Corinthians 5:13*; Deuteronomy 13:5,9
• 16. Exodus 21:6
• 17. 2 Chronicles 19:10
• 18. Deuteronomy 12:5; Psalms 122:3-5; Haggai 2:11