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Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 17:8-12

Deuteronomy 17:8-20. THE SUPREMACY IN ISRAEL OF THE WRITTEN LAW OF GOD.(8) If there arise a matter too hard for thee.—Literally, too wonderful.Between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke.—The “blood” and the “plea” seem to indicate criminal and civil cases. The word “stroke” is the common word for “plague” in the Pentateuch and elsewhere. It may possibly refer to cases of ceremonial purity or impurity, especially in reference to disease. There is an evident... 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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT (This Continues the subject of) (chap.16:13 to 17:11) This continues the subject of righteous government. The guilt of offering a blemished sacrifice to the Lord must incur severe judgment (vs.1-2) for transgressing God's covenant, as was true in the case of any who worship other gods, whether the sun or moon or the stars which may seem to men on such a high level that worshiping them would be permissible. If a report came of any such abuses, then Israel was to inquire... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

FURTHER CONDITIONS OF BLESSING THE JUDGE AND THE KING (Deuteronomy 17:0 ) In the preceding chapter, Deuteronomy 16:18 , provision was made for judges and other officers of the civil law. They were to hold court in the gates of the cities, the place of ingress and egress, for the cities were walled. This idea of judges sitting in the gates still lingers in the Orient and gives significance to the Mohammedan terms Ottoman Porte and Sublime Porte. Review the preceding chapter and observe the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

True Worship Deuteronomy 17:0 This makes our relation to God very definite. There is to be no intermediate worship. Closeness almost visible closeness is to be the rule and standard of our communion with God. Nothing must stand between. We are permitted to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. There must be no intervening system of priests, or officers of any kind, or angels of any degree: every soul must have right of way to God,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:8-13

The apostle Paul from the case of the presumptuous man here noticed, takes occasion to draw a very striking inference in his Epistle to the Hebrews, in those who tread underfoot the SON of GOD, and count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and are guilty of doing despite to the SPIRIT of grace. When the law is thus spiritualized and explained by the gospel, and the apostle's authority in this instance certainly justifies its being done, it is very sweet and delightful. See Hebrews... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:8

If thou perceive, &c. Here we see what authority God was pleased to give to the church-guides of the Old Testament, in deciding, without appeal, all controversies relating to the law; promising that they should not err therein; and punishing with death such as proudly refused to obey their decisions: and surely he has not done less for the church-guides of the New Testament. (Challoner) --- Hard. Hebrew also means, "doubtful, hidden, divided;" so that the opinions of the judges do not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:8-13

8-13 Courts of judgment were to be set up in every city. Though their judgment had not the Divine authority of an oracle, it was the judgment of wise, prudent, experienced men, and had the advantage of a Divine promise. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Deuteronomy 17:8-13

Difficult Questions to be Decided by the Priest v. 8. If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, one beyond the ability of the ordinary judge or officer to decide, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, where the legal enactments concerning a bodily injury, Exodus 21:12 ff. concerning civil cases, and concerning quarrels are not clear enough for the officers before whom the matter is brought, being matters of controversy within thy gates,... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Deuteronomy 17:1-20

The Fifth CommandDeuteronomy 16:18 to Deuteronomy 18:22Deuteronomy 16:18-2218Judges and officers shalt thou make [give] thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 19Thou shalt not wrest [bend, turn aside] judgment; thou shalt not respect persons [the face] neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. 20That which is altogether just, [Justice,... read more

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