Deuteronomy 17:6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

Here is, I. A law for preserving the honour of God's worship, by providing that no creature that had any blemish should be offered in sacrifice to him, Deut. 17:1. This caveat we have often met with: Thou shalt not sacrifice that which has any blemish, which renders it unsightly, or any evil matter or thing (as the following word night better be rendered), any sickness or weakness, though not discernible at first view; it is an abomination to God. God is the best of beings, and therefore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:6

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death ,.... The idolater found guilty was to be stoned; two witnesses were sufficient to prove a fact, if three the better, but, on the testimony of one, sentence might not be pronounced. Aben Ezra observes, that some say, if two witnesses contradict two other, a third turns the scale and determines the matter; and others say, that two who are wise men will do, and three of others; and because it is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:6

Two witnesses - One might be deceived, or be prejudiced or malicious; therefore God required two substantial witnesses for the support of the charge. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:6

Verse 6 As His severity in exacting punishment, where murder has been unquestionably committed, shows how highly God rates the life of men, so the qualification, which we find here, declares, that he takes equal care for the preservation of innocent blood. For, since too great credulity would often impel the judges to condemn the guiltless, He here applies a remedy to this evil, forbidding that the crime should be punished unless proved by sure testimony. Although He has naturally inscribed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

Idolatry a capital crime. The closing verses of last chapter prohibiting groves near God's altar may be taken in connection with the verses now before us as constituting the solemn prohibition of idolatry. God will not have any rival, either sun, moon, or any of the host of heaven, not to speak of the more miserable idolatries of things on earth; he makes idolatry a capital crime, and decrees death as its penalty. This brings out the enormity of the sin in the eyes of God; and it does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

The sacredness of personal reputation seen in the regulations concerning human testimony. So far as this passage presents to us the doctrine that idolatry, being apostasy from God, was treason to the Hebrew commonwealth, and was to be punished with death, the matter is dealt with in the Homily on the thirteenth chapter. An inquiry of great importance would sooner or later arise, and would, therefore, need to be provided for in the Mosaic institutes, viz.: "On what evidence shall any one be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

Idolatry a crime against society. Whether the fact be obvious to all men or not, it is fact that sin against God is also sin against human society. The relation of the Hebrew nation to God, is a type of the relation which God sustains to every nation. He is the Creator of individual life and of individual endowments. He is the Source of all the moral forces which bind men together in civil society. He has appointed to each nation its habitation, and has enriched it with more or less of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:6-7

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:4-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:6-7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 17:2-7

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