Deuteronomy 17:2

2 “When you begin living in the towns the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the LORD your God and violate the covenant.

Deuteronomy 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:2

If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the
Lord thy God giveth thee
In any of their cities in the land of Canaan:

man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord thy
God:
as all that is wrought is in the sight of the omniscient God; here it means not any kind of wickedness, for there is none lives without committing sin of one sort or another, all which is known to God the searcher of hearts, but such wickedness as is after described:

in transgressing his covenant;
that is, his law, and particularly the first table of it, which respects divine worship, and which is in the nature of a marriage contract or covenant; which, as that is transgressed by adultery committed by either party, so the covenant between God and Israel was transgressed by idolatry, which is spiritual adultery, and going a whoring after other gods, as it follows:

Deuteronomy 17:2 In-Context

1 “Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to the LORD your God, for he detests such gifts.

2 “When you begin living in the towns the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the LORD your God and violate the covenant.

3 For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden.

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

5 then the man or woman who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death.