Deuteronomy 17:6-12

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.

9 Go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.

10 You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do.

11 Act according to whatever they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.

12 Anyone who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God is to be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:6-12 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. 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
• 2. John 8:7
• 3. S Leviticus 24:14; Acts 7:58
• 4. S Deuteronomy 13:5; 1 Corinthians 5:13*; Deuteronomy 13:5,9
• 5. Exodus 21:6
• 6. 2 Chronicles 19:10
• 7. Deuteronomy 12:5; Psalms 122:3-5; Haggai 2:11
• 8. Deuteronomy 24:8; Deuteronomy 27:9
• 9. S Exodus 21:6
• 10. S Genesis 25:22; Deuteronomy 19:17; Ezekiel 44:24; Haggai 2:11
• 11. S Leviticus 10:11; S Deuteronomy 5:32; Deuteronomy 25:1
• 12. Numbers 15:30
• 13. S Numbers 16:9
• 14. ver 13; S Genesis 17:14; Deuteronomy 13:11; Deuteronomy 18:20; Deuteronomy 19:20; 1 Kings 18:40; Jeremiah 14:14; Hosea 4:4; Zechariah 13:3
• 15. S Deuteronomy 13:5