Deuteronomy 17:2 NLT,NIV,ESV

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 17:2

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 . wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a. App-44 . transgressing. Hebrew. 'abar. App-44 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2

"If there be found in the midst of thee, within any of thy gates which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that doeth that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah thy God, in transgressing his covenant, and hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded, and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it; then shalt thou inquire diligently; and, behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2

Ver. 2. Hath wrought wickedness— By wickedness, is here meant idolatry, which was eminently transgressing the covenant; a principal part of which, and that whereupon the whole depended, was, that they should have no other gods but Jehovah, Exodus 20:22-23. See notes on chap. 13: read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2

2-7. If there be found among you . . . man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness—The grand object contemplated in choosing Israel was to preserve the knowledge and worship of the one true God; and hence idolatry of any kind, whether of the heavenly bodies or in some grosser form, is called "a transgression of His covenant." No rank or sex could palliate this crime. Every reported case, even a flying rumor of the perpetration of so heinous an offense, was to be judicially examined; and if... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

God specified the method of execution as stoning for idolaters as well as other capital offenders. Rocks were, and still are, present everywhere in Canaan. At least two and preferably three witnesses had to be willing to take the lead in stoning the convicted offender (Deuteronomy 17:6-7). These requirements were safeguards against injustice and perjury."The evidence must be adequate and credible; and anyone ready to make a serious accusation must be prepared to be executioner as well as... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

The Punishment of Idolatry. Controversies to be Settled by Priests and Judges. Election and Duties of a King1. Cp. Leviticus 22:17-25. 2. Wickedness] idolatry, as in Deuteronomy 4:25. 5. Unto thy gates] see on Genesis 19:1.7. The hands of the witnesses] This regulation, by throwing the responsibility of the execution upon the witnesses, would act as a safeguard against false evidence: see on Leviticus 24:14.8-13. Difficult cases are to be referred to a supreme court of judicature, consisting of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

Deuteronomy 17:2-7. EVERY IDOLATER TO BE STONED.(2) If there be found . . . man or woman.—This section differs slightly from the third section of Deuteronomy 13:0. The penalty there is directed against the teachers of idolatry, whether prophets, private individuals, or communities in Israel. Here the penalty of death is enacted for every individual, man or woman, found guilty of worshipping any other god but Jehovah. We find traces of this law in the covenant made in the reign of Asa (2... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

13. Justice and the Choice of a King CHAPTERS 16:18-17:20 1. Appointment of judges and their instruction (Deuteronomy 16:18-22 ; Deuteronomy 17:1 ) 2. The higher court at the place He chooses (Deuteronomy 17:8-13 ) 3. The choice and right of the king (Deuteronomy 17:14-20 ) This chapter leads us upon new ground. The obligations of the religious life of Israel were stated in the first part of chapter 16 and now the government of the people in the land is commanded. “Just as in its... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2

17:2 If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or {b} woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,(b) Showing that the crime cannot be excused by the frailty of the person. read more