Deuteronomy 17:2-7

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 17:2

If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee ,.... In any of their cities in the land of Canaan: man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord thy God : as all that is wrought is in the sight of the omniscient God; here it means not any kind of wickedness, for there is none lives without committing sin of one sort or another, all which is known to God the searcher of hearts, but such wickedness as is after described: in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:3

And hath gone ,.... The Targum of Jonathan adds, after the evil imagination or concupiscence, lusting after other lovers, and forsaking the true God, and departing from his worship: and served other gods ; strange gods, the idols of the people, other gods besides the true God; the creature besides the Creator: and worshipped them ; by bowing down before them, praying to them, or ascribing their mercies and blessings to them, and giving them the glory of them: either the sun, or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:4

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently ,.... A report of this kind was not to be neglected; though it was not to be concluded upon as certain by hearsay, it was to be looked into, and the persons that brought it thoroughly examined; so the Targum of Jonathan,"and inquired the witnesses well,'what proof and evidence they could give of the fact, who the persons were, when and where, and in what manner the sin was committed: and, behold, it be true, and ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:5

Thou shall bring forth that man or that woman which have committed the wicked thing ,.... Idolatry in any of the above instances: this must be supposed to be done after he or she have been had before a court of judicature, and have been tried and found guilty, and sentence passed on them, then they were to be brought forth to execution: unto thy gates ; the Targum of Jonathan says, unto the gates of your sanhedrim, or court of judicature; but Jarchi observes, that this is a mistake of... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:7

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death ,.... Of everyone of them, as Aben Ezra; they were to cast the first stone at him, which would be a further trial and confirmation of their testimony; for if they readily and without reluctance first began the stoning of the idolater, it would not only show their zeal for the honour of the divine Being, but an unconsciousness of guilt in their testimony, and be an encouragement to others to proceed with safety: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:4

If it be told thee - In a private way by any confidential person. And thou hast heard of it; so that it appears to be notorious, very likely to be true, and publicly scandalous. And hast inquired diligently - sought to find out the truth of the report by the most careful examination of persons reporting, circumstances of the case, etc. And, behold, it be true - the report is not founded on vague rumor, hearsay, or malice. And the thing certain - substantiated by the fullest evidence. Then... 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 17:2

Verse 2 2.If there be found among you. The same punishment is here decreed against idolaters, to which apostates had been before condemned; and thus either transgression is declared a capital crime. Hence we gather that it is accounted before God no less weighty a sin to violate His worship by gross and impure superstitions, than openly and professedly to fall away from religion altogether. Thus in Ezekiel 20:39, He bids farewell to the Jews, and as it were emancipates them, that they may go... read more

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