BibleLAB
← Bob Utley

Deuteronômio 17

Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible

Deuteronômio 17:1

17:1 "blemish or any defect" This verse is contextually related to Deut. 15:21, which also deals with appropriate places and types of sacrifices. In the OT "blemish" (BDB 548) refers to any kind of physical defect (cf. Deut. 15:21; Lev. 22:20-25). Malachi 1:6-8 records an example of Israel giving God less than the best. SPECIAL TOPIC: WITHOUT DEFECT ▣ "a detestable thing" NKJV, LXX, Peshitta "an abomination" NRSV, JPSOA "abhorrent" "the Lord hates this" "detestable" This term (BDB 1072) is discussed at Deut. 14:3. SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION ▣ "the Lord your God" This is the common covenantal phrase using both YHWH (cf. Gen. 2:4; 4:26) and Elohim (cf. Gen. 1:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. and D.

Deuteronômio 17:2-7

17:2-13 These verses deal with administrative justice vv. 2-7 deal with idolatry and legal witnesses vv. 8-13 deal with the practical setup of the courts This is similar to Deut. 16:18-20. 17:2 NASB, NRSV "who does what is evil" "who has been wicked" "has sinned " NJB, REB "who does what is wrong" "who has affronted" LXX, Peshitta "who will do what is evil" This phrase is a Qal IMPERFECT VERB (BDB 793 I, KB 889) and a DIRECT OBJECT (BDB 948). This is the common two-consonant root ער, which means "bad," "evil," "distress," "misery," "injury," or "calamity." Here the context defines it as "transgressing His covenant," Deut. 17:2 (BDB 716, KB 778, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT literally "passing over") "has gone and served other gods and worshiped them," Deut. 17:3: "has gone" ‒ BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "served" ‒ BDB 712, KB 773, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "worshiped" ‒ BDB 1005, KB 295, Hishtaphel IMPERFECT with waw ▣ "by transgressing His covenant" This VERB (BDB 716, KB 778, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) basically means "to pass over" or "pass through." It is most often used in a literal sense, but sometimes in a theological sense. Originally it may have referred to the act of halving an animal as a covenant act and walking between the parts (e.g. Gen. 15:17). Violation of the covenant resulted in death or destruction (i.e. like the halved animal). It denoted the violation of clearly defined actions (i.e. covenant stipulations, cf. Deut. 26:13; Josh. 7:11,15; Jdg. 2:20; 2 Kgs. 18:12; Jer. 34:18-19; Hosea 6:7; 8:1). 17:3 "the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host" The ancient Assyrians and Babylonians may have been the first, but not the last, to see the heavenly bodies as representatives of gods and goddesses (cf. Deut. 4:19; 2 Kgs. 17:16; 21:3,5; 23:4-5; 2 Chr. 33:3,5; Jer. 8:2; 19:13). They felt that the lights of the sky controlled mankind's destiny (physically and spiritually). SPECIAL TOPIC: MOON WORSHIP 17:4 This verse is similar to Deut. 13:14. The VERB "you shall inquire thoroughly" (BDB 205, KB 233, Qal PERFECT with waw) implies a complete investigation (cf. Deut. 13:14; 17:4,9; 19:18; Lev. 10:16; Jdgs. 6:29). Accusations and second-hand knowledge were not enough to convict. Israel's judicial system was harsh ("stoned to death," Deut. 17:5), but thorough. ▣ NASB, TEV, JPSOA, Peshitta "if it is true" "if it is indeed true" "the charge is proved true" "it is found true and confirmed" "the matter has truly occurred" This Hebrew idiom (hypothetical PARTICLE, BDB 243 II., b. and NOUN, BDB 54) is repeated three times in Deuteronomy (i.e. Deut. 13:14; 17:4; 22:20). ▣ "this detestable thing" NKJV, Peshitta "that such an abomination" NRSV, REB, JPSOA "an abhorrent thing" "this evil thing" "this hateful thing" This same term (BDB 1072) is used in Deut. 17:1, where it refers to a blemished sacrifice. Here it refers to idol worship (i.e. "the host of heaven"). SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION (OT) ▣ "Israel" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL(the name). 17:5 "to your gates" This idiomatic phrase meant "to your local court." This was where the local elders sat. ▣ "stone them to death" This was a form of corporate punishment (cf. Deut. 17:7). Every adult member of the community acted to rid itself of the evil (see full note at Deut. 13:10). SPECIAL TOPIC: DEATH PENALTY IN ISRAEL SPECIAL TOPIC: STONE TO DEATH ▣ The Hebrew text has a series of VERBS that refer to death in Deut. 17:5-7: "stone to death" ‒ BDB 709, KB 768, Qal PERFECT with waw, Deut. 17:5 death ‒ BDB 559, KB 562 v. 5, Qal PERFECT with waw v. 6, Hophal IMPERFECT v. 6, Qal PARTICIPLE v. 6, Hophal imPERFECT v. 7, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT Covenant violations carried severe consequences (cf. Deuteronomy 27-29)! Evil within the community must be eradicated. 17:6 "On the evidences of two witnesses" This is a Mosaic requirement (cf. Num. 35:30 and Deut. 17:6; 19:15; also note Matt. 18:16; John 8:7; 2 Cor. 13:1; and 1 Tim 5:19). ▣ "he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness" See 19:15-21 and Num. 35:30. 17:7 "The hand of the witness shall be first against him" The ones who witnessed against a person were to throw the first stones (cf. Deut. 13:9; Lev. 24:14). Thus, if the witnesses were lying, then God would punish them for shedding innocent blood (i.e. murder).

Deuteronômio 17:8-13

17:8 The very difficult (BDB 810, KB 927, Niphal IMPERFECT) cases were to be referred to the priests at the central sanctuary (cf. Deut. 12:5,11,13). These types of judicial difficulties are described as: "blood to blood" (BDB 196), meaning a fight between two people a feud between two families murder or manslaughteer "judgment to judgment" (BDB 192) NRSV, "one kind of legal right and another" TEV, "certain cases of property rights" NJB, "conflicting claims" REB, "civil rights" JPSOA, "civil law" NET Bible, "legal claim" NIV, "lawsuits" "stroke to stroke" (BDB 619), meaning some kind of assault (cf. Deut. 21:5) The Jewish Study Bible, p. 405, asserts that the difficult cases involved a lack of evidence. By referring these to the priests at the central sanctuary, Moses is assuming that divine insight will determine the guilt or innocence of the parties involved. ▣ "the place which the Lord your God chooses" This VERB (BDB 103, KB 119) is used in Deuteronomy for several things: YHWH's choice of Israel's forefathers, Deut. 4:37 YHWH's choice of Israel, Deut. 7:6,7; 10:15; 14:2 YHWH's choice of the place of a central sanctuary, Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21,26; 14:23,24,25; 15:20; 16:2,6,7,11,15,16; 17:8,10; 18:6; 26:2; 31:11 YHWH's choice of a king, Deut. 17:15 YHWH's choice of an Aaronic (Levitical) priesthood, Deut. 18:5; 21:5 SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US 17:9 "the Levitical priest" The Masoretic Text (Hebrew), the Septuagint (Greek), and the Peshitta (Aramaic) have the PLURAL, "priests." This indicates a pool or guild of priests (cf. Deut. 19:17). This was the rabbinical proof text for the Sanhedrin (set up by Ezra). SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS SPECIAL TOPIC: SANHEDRIN ▣ "the judge" The Masoretic Text has the SINGULAR. This refers to a single judge (cf. 2 Chr. 19:11 for historical example of this) or leader of a group of judges. SPECIAL TOPIC: MASORETIC TEXT 17:9-12 Israel is to be respectful and obedient to judicial discussions because they reflect the authority of YHWH. Notice the VERBS used: "declare" ‒ BDB 616, KB 665 Deut. 17:9, Hiphil PERFECT Deut. 17:10, Hiphil IMPERFECT Deut. 17:11, Hiphil IMPERFECT "do" ‒ BDB 793, KB 889 Deut. 17:10, Qal PERFECT Deut. 17:10, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT Deut. 17:11, Qal IMPERFECT Deut. 17:12, Qal IMPERFECT "teach" ‒ BDB 434, KB 436 Deut. 17:10, Hiphil IMPERFECT Deut. 17:11, Hiphil IMPERFECT "not listening" ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT 17:11 "you shall not turn aside from the word. . .to the right or the left" This is a Hebrew idiom for not changing the verdict and punishment handed down by the Levitical judges. Similar imagery is used of YHWH's words in Deut. 4:2; 12:32. Once YHWH's will is known, turning right or left means disobedience (cf. Deut. 5:32; 17:20; 28:14; Josh. 1:7; 23:6; 2 Kgs. 22:2; Prov. 4:27). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY 17:12 "presumptuously" This term (BDB 268) is used of wilful disobedience (cf. Deut. 1:43; 17:12,13; 18:20,22). The judge and priest were representatives of YHWH's authority. Therefore, to reject their decisions was to reject YHWH! In Deut. 18:20-22, it is prophets who do not know YHWH speaking in His name, using His authority! SPECIAL TOPIC: UNINTENTIONAL SINS ▣ "the priest who stand there to serve the Lord" This is imagery for a Levitical priest who served at the central sanctuary or tabernacle. ▣ NASB, NRSV "you shall purge the evil from Israel" "you shall put away the evil person from Israel" "you will remove this evil from Israel" "You must banish this evil from Israel" "you will sweep out evil from Israel" "you shall remove the evil one from Israel" "you shall destroy the evil doers from Israel" The VERB (BDB 128, KB 145, Piel PERFECT with waw) means to burn or consume (cf. Num. 11:3). Here it is used as imagery as in Deut. 13:5; 17:7,12; 19:13,19; 21:21.

Deuteronômio 17:14-17

17:14-20 These are some of the most controversial verses in the OT, especially the Pentateuch. These verses speak about a coming king. Many OT scholars of our day say that Deuteronomy is the book that was found during Josiah's reform hundreds of years later during the monarchial period, and that it was written by the priests at that time to centralize worship at Jerusalem (cf. 2 Kgs. 22:8; 2 Chr. 34:14-15). They assert that this is evidence that it was not written by Moses because nowhere else in the Pentateuch is there mention of a king. It is an anachronism referring to Solomon, so obviously it must have been written later. I do not believe any of this! Some verses which show that Deut. 17:14-20 are not unique in the Pentateuch are Gen. 17:6, 35:11; 36:31; Num. 24:7; Jdg. 8:22,23; 9:6. See Special Topics below. SPECIAL TOPIC: PENTATEUCH SOURCE CRITICISM SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSAIC AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH It is interesting to note the differences between the kings of the ANE and Israel's future kings. ANE kings had full control but Israel's king is limited and must follow YHWH's will ANE kings gave the laws of the land but Israel's king received YHWH's Law ANE kings were the final civil authority but Israel's kings were not; it was the judges who were to deliver YHWH's verdicts 17:14 "and you say, 'I will set a king over me like all the nations who are around me'" The VERB is a Qal COHORTATIVE (BDB 962, KB 1321). It is repeated four times in Deut. 17:14 and 15. The second (Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE) and third (Qal IMPERFECT with waw) usages go together as a way of intensification: NASB, NKJV "you shall surely set" NRSV "you may indeed set" TEV "be sure" The problem was not a king, but the descriptive phrase, "a king like all the nations who are around me"! The king was to represent YHWH (cf. Deut. 17:8), not ANE pagan courts. This very issue is dealt with when Israel asked Samuel for a king in 1 Samuel 8. 17:15 "whom the Lord your God chooses" YHWH is sovereign, He (not Israel, cf. Deut. 17:14) chooses the man, but Israel confirms His choice by their affirmation (e.g. Jdgs. 11:11; Hosea 1:11). Notice the guidelines for kingship: when Israel possesses the land, Deut. 17:14 one whom YHWH chooses, Deut. 17:15 not a foreigner, Deut. 17:15 he shall not trust in military armament ("multiply horses"), Deut. 17:16 he shall not seek help from Egypt, Deut. 17:16 he shall not trust in political allegiances ("multiply wives"), Deut. 17:17 he shall not trust in wealth ("increase silver and gold"), Deut. 17:17 SPECIAL TOPIC: WEALTH The numbers 4-7 above reflect Solomon's abuses! It is unique in Ancient Near Eastern law that the king has his powers limited, but in Israel God: sets the place and procedures of justice sets the pattern of worship sets limits on kingly power, succession, and wealth the king is one among many covenant partners (cf. Deut. 17:20) the king must study regularly and implement (personally and officially) God's laws (cf. Deut. 17:18-19) SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US 17:16 "he shall not multiply horses" Horses were owned only by rulers, not local people. A horse was a battle weapon for war. In other words, "Don't trust in your military might. I, YHWH, am protecting you." ▣ "You shall never again return that way" This possibly refers to a later practice of trading Hebrew mercenaries for horses. One historical example is the Elephantine community. However, in context, it again asserts that the coming king must trust totally in YHWH alone! 17:17 "He shall not multiply wives" This refers to (1) lustful use of power or more probably (2) political and religious alliances. This was the Ancient Near Eastern way to form "non-aggression" pacts. ▣ "also his heart will turn away" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY ▣ "nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself" YHWH placed the king as His under shepherd. That under shepherd should never strive for personal wealth or power.

Deuteronômio 17:18-20

17:18-20 These verses are a summary of the king's relationship to God's revealed will (i.e. the Law). 17:18 "he shall write for himself copy of this law" This probably refers to someone (i.e. a Levitical priest) making a copy for him (cf. 2 Kgs. 11:12). This is the verse from which the Septuagint got the title for the book of Deuteronomy (i.e. the Second Law), but in context this verse refers to a second copy of the Law, not a revised version of the Law. SPECIAL TOPIC: SEPTUAGINT SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (Suzerain) TREATIES 17:19 This verse and v. 20 have a series of Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS, which flow from the king's reading (BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal PERFECT with waw) and learning (BDB 540, KB 531, Qal IMPERFECT) from YHWH's revelation of His will through Moses (i.e. Pentateuch; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S COVENANT REQUIREMENTS OF ISRAEL): "to fear" (BDB 431, KB 432; see SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR) "to keep" (BDB 1036, KB 1581; see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP) "to do" (BDB 793, KB 889) "heart not be lifted up above his countrymen" (BDB 926, KB 1202, cf. Deut. 8:14) "not turn aside from the commandment" (BDB 693, KB 747) This copy of YHWH's law is to remain with the king (this refers to the first VERB in Deut. 17:19, BDB 224, KB 243, Qal PERFECT). This reflects the parallel of the Hittite treaties, where two copies of the covenant were made. One was put in the temple of the covenant partners' deity (here YHWH's tabernacle) and the other remained with the vassel king (i.e. to be read regularly so as to be in compliance). SPECIAL TOPIC: HITTITE (Suzerain) TREATIES ▣ "this law and these statutes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 17:20 "to the right or the left" This is a Hebrew idiom of obedience. YHWH's will was described as a "path" or "trail." It was clearly marked (by the Law). Israelites (as well as their king) were to stay on the path (e.g. Ps. 119:105), which referred to lifestyle (e.g. Prov. 6:23). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PATH, THE WAY ▣ "so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom" Kingship, like the high priesthood, was to be a hereditary descent. The kingship (i.e. later concept of Messiah) was predicted to be in the line of Judah (cf. Gen. 49:10) and the family of Jesse (cf. 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). SPECIAL TOPIC: OT TITLES OF THE SPECIAL COMING ONE