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Deuteronomy 17:8-12

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

8. If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, [being] matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; 9. And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: 10. And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: 11. According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, [to] the right hand, nor [to] the left. 12. And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:8-12 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:8

Theological / Devotional

Too hard. That is, for the local courts that were to be established in all their cities (ch. 16:18). The Hebrew reads, literally, “too wonderful,” “surpassing,” or “unusual.”

The same word appears in 2 Sam. 1:26; Ps. 118:23; Prov. 30:18; Micah 7:15. The reference is to some point of law that was not clear to the local judges.

Between blood and blood. That is, the shedding of blood that resulted in death — was it accidental? premeditated? a willful murder? (see Ex. 21:12-14). The decision in such a case would determine whether or not the accused would be admitted to a city of refuge.

Plea and plea. A reference to civil suits, involving personal property, debts, and matters of personal loss and injury.

Matters of controversy. Cases that could not be settled in the lower courts, and therefore would be transferred to the Levitical courts.

By SdaBc