Deuteronomy 17:5-15

5 then take them outside the town and stone them to death.

6 However, they may be put to death only if two or more witnesses testify against them; they are not to be put to death if there is only one witness. ¹

7 The witnesses are to throw the first stones, and then the rest of the people are to stone them; in this way you will get rid of this evil. ²

8 "It may be that some cases will be too difficult for the local judges to decide, such as certain cases of property rights or of bodily injury or those cases that involve a distinction between murder and manslaughter. When this happens, go to the one place of worship chosen by the Lord your God,

9 and present your case to the levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time, and let them decide the case.

10 They will give their decision, and you are to do exactly as they tell you.

11 Accept their verdict and follow their instructions in every detail.

12 Anyone who dares to disobey either the judge or the priest on duty is to be put to death; in this way you will remove this evil from Israel.

13 Then everyone will hear of it and be afraid, and no one else will dare to act in such a way.

14 "After you have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is going to give you and have settled there, then you will decide you need a king like all the nations around you. ³

15 Be sure that the man you choose to be king is the one whom the Lord has chosen. He must be one of your own people; do not make a foreigner your king.

Deuteronomy 17:5-15 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. 17.6Numbers 35.30;Deuteronomy 19.15;Matthew 18.16;2 Corinthians 13.1;1 Timothy 5.19;Hebrews 10.28.
• 2. 17.71 Corinthians 5.13.
• 3. 17.14 1 Samuel 8.5.