Unto thy gates ; judicial proceedings were conducted at the gates of the city, and in some place outside the walls the sentence was executed on the condemned criminal ( Nehemiah 8:1 , Nehemiah 8:3 ; Job 29:7 ; Deuteronomy 22:24 ; Acts 7:58 ; Hebrews 13:12 ), just as, during the journey through the wilderness, it had been outside the camp that transgressors were punished (Le Deuteronomy 24:14 ; Numbers 15:36 ). read more
Only on the testimony of more than one witness could the accused be condemned (of Numbers 35:30 ); and the hand of the witnesses was to be first against him to put him to death—a rule which would tend to prevent accusations being lightly adduced, as none would venture to witness against any one unless so deeply convinced of his guilt that they were willing to assume the responsibility of inflicting on him the last penalty with their own hands. Worthy of death be put to death ; i . e . ... read more
Compare Deuteronomy 13:1 ff. Here special reference is made to the legal forms to be adopted, Deuteronomy 17:5-7. The sentence was to be carried into effect at “the gates” (compare Genesis 19:1 note) of the town in which the crime was committed; because, as “all the people” were to take a part, an open space would be requisite for the execution. Note the typical and prophetical aspect of the injunction; compare Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12. read more
Deuteronomy 17:6. Witnesses Namely, credible and competent witnesses. The Jews rejected the testimonies of children, women, servants, familiar friends, or enemies, persons of dissolute lives or evil fame. read more
Deuteronomy 17:7. First upon him God thus ordered it, for the caution of witnesses, that, if they had, through malice or wrath, accused him falsely, they might now be afraid to imbrue their hands in innocent blood; and for the security and satisfaction of the people in the execution of this punishment. read more
Justice and government (16:18-17:20)A collection of miscellaneous laws deals with a variety of civil and religious matters. The courts had to administer justice impartially (18-20); the worship of Yahweh was not to involve any symbols or sacred objects taken from other religions (21-22); people were not to offer sick or lame animals in sacrifice (17:1); the testimony of at least two witnesses had to be in agreement before an accused person could be punished (2-7); and when local judges found a... read more
stranger = foreigner. read more
mouth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), put for the witness borne by it. App-6 . two. Compare Numbers 35:30 , and see Mat 18:16 . 2 Corinthians 13:1 . 1 Timothy 5:19 . read more
put the evil away. See note on Deuteronomy 13:5 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:4-8
Criminal procedure. I. THE RIGHT OF THE CRIMINAL TO A PAIR AND PULL TRIAL . The right is asserted in the Law of Moses as strenuously as it could be anywhere. However abhorrent his crime, the criminal had every protection against unjust treatment which the Law could afford him. He must be formally impeached, tried before judges, and legally convicted under stringent conditions of proof. The evidence of one witness, however apparently conclusive, was not to be accepted... read more