Deuteronomy 16:18-20

18 "You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
19 "1You shall not distort justice; 2you shall not be partial *, and 3you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
20 "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that 4you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 16:18-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 16

This chapter treats of the three grand yearly festivals, of the feast of passover, when, where, and what was to be sacrificed, how to be dressed, and in what manner to be eaten, De 16:1-8, of the feast of pentecost, when to begin it, where and how it was to be observed, De 16:9-12, and of the feast of tabernacles, when, where, and how long it was to be kept, De 16:13-15, which three times in the year all the males were to appear before the Lord, and not empty, De 16:16,17, an order is given for the appointment of judges in the land, to execute judgment, De 16:18-20, and the chapter is closed with a caution against planting groves, and setting up images, De 16:21,22.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Exodus 23:2; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Deuteronomy 10:17
  • 2. Proverbs 24:23
  • 3. Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 17:23; Ecclesiastes 7:7
  • 4. Deuteronomy 4:1

Footnotes 2

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