Deuteronomy 17:9-10
And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place that the LORD will choose. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they direct you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse doesn't just set up a supreme court; it emphasizes the people's active role by commanding them to "inquire." This isn't passive submission, but a deliberate seeking of understanding and truth from those appointed by God, showing that seeking wisdom is a divine command.
In this passage, Moses is outlining a system for justice in Israel, ensuring that difficult legal cases don't go unresolved. When disputes arise that are too complex for local judges, the people are instructed to bring their cases to the central sanctuary. There, they will consult with the Levitical priests and the chief judge of the day, who will provide the authoritative ruling based on God's law.
Ever felt stuck, unsure of the right path when life gets complicated? This ancient passage reveals a divine structure for tackling the toughest questions.
When faced with disputes too complex for local courts – 'between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke' – the people weren't left to fend for themselves. They were directed to a higher authority: the Levitical priests and the judge in office.
This wasn't just any panel. It represented God's chosen interpreters of His Law. The priests, with their deep knowledge of God's commands, and the judge, likely a leader or head of the supreme council (like the Sanhedrin later), formed a supreme court. Their role was to consult God's Word and declare God's will, ensuring that justice and divine wisdom guided the nation.
It's easy to settle for advice that just sounds good. But what does it mean to truly seek a 'sentence of judgment' from God?
The emphasis here is on seeking the 'word of right' or the 'sentence of judgment.' This wasn't about getting a legal loophole or a popular opinion. The priests and judges were tasked with declaring what was right according to God's Law.
Calvin notes that while the text mentions civil controversies, it implies the priests' role as interpreters of God's doctrine overall. They weren't meant to invent decisions but to faithfully teach from the Law. The people were commanded to 'do according to the sentence... that they shall show thee... to the right hand, nor to the left.' This highlights the absolute authority of God's revealed word when rightly interpreted by His appointed authorities.
Understand the original words
lēwî · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Referring to the tribe of Levi, specifically those set apart for priestly service, who were responsible for teaching the law and assisting in judicial matters.
šāp̄aṭ · Hebrew Noun
A person appointed to preside over legal disputes and apply the Law of God to specific situations, ensuring justice is administered according to His statutes.
mišpāṭ · Hebrew Noun
The authorized interpretation and application of God's law to resolve a specific dispute or legal uncertainty, binding upon the community.
yārâ · Hebrew Verb
An instruction, command, or authoritative guidance given by a leader or priest, which is to be obeyed as the expression of God's will.
This passage introduces the principle of appointing wise leaders to teach and judge the people, laying the groundwork for the later establishment of this system in Deuteronomy.
2 Chronicles 19:8-11This passage demonstrates the application of Deuteronomy 17's principle, showing King Jehoshaphat setting up a high court in Jerusalem with priests and Levites to handle difficult cases and ensure justice according to God's law.
Malachi 2:7This verse directly echoes the responsibility of priests as teachers and interpreters of God's law, highlighting their role in resolving disputes and upholding divine truth, as prescribed in Deuteronomy.
1 Corinthians 6:1-7This passage challenges believers to resolve disputes amongst themselves rather than taking each other to secular courts, implying a need for wisdom and guidance within the community, which the Deuteronomic system aimed to provide.
calvinDeuteronomy 17:8-11: "If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;"
- If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou aris…
bensonDeuteronomy 17:9: "And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:"
Deuteronomy 17:9 . Unto the priests — That is, unto the great council, which consisted chiefly of the priests and Levites, as being the best expositors of the laws of God, by which all those controversies were to be decided. And the high-priest was commonly one of that number, comprehended here under the priests, wh…
This verse doesn't just set up a supreme court; it emphasizes the people's active role by commanding them to "inquire." This isn't passive submission, but a deliberate seeking of understanding and truth from those appointed by God, showing that seeking wisdom is a divine command.
In this passage, Moses is outlining a system for justice in Israel, ensuring that difficult legal cases don't go unresolved. When disputes arise that are too complex for local judges, the people are instructed to bring their cases to the central sanctuary. There, they will consult with the Levitical priests and the chief judge of the day, who will provide the authoritative ruling based on God's law.
In this passage, Moses is outlining a system for justice in Israel, ensuring that difficult legal cases don't go unresolved. When disputes arise that are too complex for local judges, the people are instructed to bring their cases to the central sanctuary. There, they will consult with the Levitical priests and the chief judge of the day, who will provide the authoritative ruling based on God's law.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Deuteronomy 17:9-10 is available in the Sola app.
"And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision. Then you shall do according to what they declare to you from that place th…" — This verse doesn't just set up a supreme court; it emphasizes the people's active role by commanding them to "inquire." This isn't passive submission, but a deliberate seeking of understanding and tr…
