Difficult Cases
Deuteronomy 17:8-13
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Deu.17.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יפלא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- דין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- נגע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנגע: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- ריבת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בשעריך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs-2ms
- וקמת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ועלית: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.17:9-13 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same law: specifies that difficult cases are to be brought to the Levitical priests or judges at the appointed place and sets binding authority and penalties for disobedience.
- Deut.16:18-20 (thematic): Both passages command appointment of judges and insist on proper, impartial adjudication—Deut 16:18 establishes local judges while 17:8 directs referral of complex cases to the central sanctuary.
- Exod.18:13-26 (thematic): Jethro’s counsel to Moses to appoint capable judges to hear cases parallels Deut 17:8’s concern for orderly adjudication and handling of difficult disputes by appointed authorities.
- 1 Kings 3:16-28 (thematic): The famous Solomon judgment illustrates the principle of resolving difficult, disputed cases by an authoritative judge and exemplifies wisdom applied to complex legal disputes like those described in Deut 17:8.
- 2 Chron.19:8-11 (allusion): Jehoshaphat’s appointment and charging of judges echoes Deut 17’s legal framework, including instructions to judge in the fear of the LORD and to refer unresolved or extraordinary matters upward to higher authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a matter arises with you that is too difficult to decide—whether between blood and blood, or between suit and suit, or between wound and wound—matters of dispute within your gates; then you shall rise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose.
- When a matter is too difficult for you to decide—whether between blood and blood, between case and case, or between assault and assault—matters of dispute at your gates—then you shall rise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose.
Deu.17.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובאת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- השפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- ודרשת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- והגידו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המשפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 17:8-11 (structural): Immediate context describing the appeal process to the priests/Levites and the judge and the obligation to follow their ruling (same judicial ordinance continued).
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (thematic): Earlier instruction about bringing hard cases to a designated judge (Moses) and receiving authoritative decisions — parallels the role of a higher adjudicator for difficult disputes.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8-11 (thematic): Jehoshaphat appoints judges and charges Levites and priests to instruct and judge according to the law, echoing the paired priest/judge role in adjudication.
- Nehemiah 8:7-8 (thematic): Levites read and explained the law to the people, illustrating the Levitical/priestly function of interpreting and teaching legal decisions.
- 1 Kings 3:16-28 (thematic): A disputed case brought to the king for a decisive judgment (Solomon), reflecting the practice of seeking an authoritative ruling in contested matters.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who is in office in those days; you shall inquire, and they shall declare to you the decision of the verdict.
- You shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days; you shall inquire, and they will declare to you the decision of the case.
Deu.17.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יגידו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ושמרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יורוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.17.11 (quotation): Immediate parallel and continuation: repeats the command to do according to the decision given by the priests/judges and not to turn aside — direct verbal and legal reinforcement of v.10.
- Deut.12.5 (verbal): Uses the same key phrase ‘the place which the LORD will choose’ (הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה); connects the authority of decisions issued from the centrally chosen sanctuary.
- Exod.18.20–26 (structural): Jethro’s advice to Moses to appoint judges to decide difficult cases parallels the institutionalizing of judicial/priestly decision-making in Deut 17 — both establish delegated legal authority and procedures for resolving disputes.
- 2 Chr.19.8–11 (thematic): Jehoshaphat’s appointment and instruction of judges to act in the fear of the LORD and enforce the law echoes Deut 17’s emphasis on accepting and executing the authoritative decisions made by God‑appointed judges/priests.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall do according to the word that they tell you from that place which the LORD will choose; you shall be careful to do as they instruct you.
- And you shall do according to the word that they declare to you from that place which the LORD will choose; you shall be careful to obey all that they instruct you.
Deu.17.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יורוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- המשפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תסור: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יגידו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ימין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 1:7-8 (verbal): Commands obedience to Moses' law and explicitly warns not to turn from it 'to the right hand or to the left,' closely echoing Deut 17:11's injunction not to deviate from the judges' decision.
- Matthew 23:2-3 (allusion): Jesus: 'The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe' — an NT appeal to obey recognized religious authority while echoing the idea of following instituted legal instruction.
- Deut 12:8 (thematic): Warns against acting 'after all that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes' — a parallel concern with individual deviation from prescribed covenant law.
- Deut 5:32 (verbal): 'You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left' — a closely related formula urging precise obedience to divine commands.
- Deut 17:9 (structural): Immediate context: instructs inquiry 'to the Levitical priests or to the judge... and they shall show thee the sentence' — establishes the authoritative tribunal whose rulings Deut 17:11 requires one not to turn from.
Alternative generated candidates
- According to the teaching that they instruct you and the judgment that they declare to you you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the sentence they tell you, neither to the right nor to the left.
- According to the law that they instruct you and the judgment that they tell you shall you act; you shall not turn aside from the word that they declare to you, to the right or to the left.
Deu.17.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאיש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בזדון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- העמד: VERB,pi'el,ptc,3,m,sg
- לשרת: VERB,qal,inf
- שם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- או: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- השפט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 15:30-31 (thematic): Speaks of the 'presumptuous' or high-handed sinner who acts defiantly and must be 'cut off'—parallel legal consequence for deliberate disobedience to God’s command.
- Deuteronomy 13:5 (verbal): Commands execution of a false prophet and uses the phrase about purging 'the evil' from Israel—close language and identical punitive principle.
- Deuteronomy 13:12-18 (structural): Prescribes communal judicial procedure and destruction of a town that has turned to idolatry—similar communal enforcement of covenant purity and removal of evil.
- Deuteronomy 21:18-21 (thematic): Law concerning a stubborn and rebellious son to be brought to the elders and put to death—another case of capital punishment to preserve communal order and holiness.
- Leviticus 24:10-16 (thematic): Deals with blasphemy and the responsibility of the community/judicial authorities to execute the offender—echoes the role of priest/judge and communal removal of wrongdoing.
Alternative generated candidates
- The man who acts presumptuously and will not listen to the priest who stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or to the judge, that man shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.
- The man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen to the priest who stands to serve there before the LORD your God or to the judge— that man shall die; thus you shall purge the evil from Israel.
Deu.17.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישמעו: VERB,qal,imf,3,mp
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יזידון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
Parallels
- Deut.17.11 (verbal): Immediately linked instruction to obey the decision of the priest or judge; 17:13 records the communal response (all the people hear and fear) to that command.
- Deut.17.12 (verbal): States the penalty for one who acts presumptuously against the priest/judge; 17:13 describes the desired effect—public hearing and fear so the offense is not repeated.
- Joshua 4:24 (thematic): The memorial stones are set up 'that all the peoples of the earth might know and fear the LORD'—a public act intended to produce communal fear and obedience, paralleling Deut 17:13's motif of public instruction producing fear and restraint.
- Psalm 2:10–12 (thematic): A royal summons for rulers to 'be wise; serve the LORD with fear'—links fear before divinely-ordained authority with obedience and avoidance of wrath, echoing Deut 17:13's fear-and-obedience dynamic.
- Romans 13:1–2 (thematic): Paul's exhortation to submit to governing authorities because they are instituted by God parallels Deut 17:13's expectation that the people hearing a lawful decision will fear and desist from presumptuous action.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all the people shall hear and fear, and no longer act presumptuously.
- All the people shall hear and fear, and they shall not act presumptuously again.
If a case arises that is too difficult for you to decide—whether concerning bloodshed, lawsuit, injury, or any matter of dispute in your gates—you shall rise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose.
You shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall inquire; and they will tell you the decision of the case.
You shall act according to the decision they declare to you from that place the LORD will choose, and you shall be careful to carry out all that they instruct you.
According to the instruction (torah) they teach you and the ruling they tell you you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the word they declare to you, neither to the right nor to the left. But the man who acts presumptuously by refusing to listen to the priest who stands to serve there before the LORD your God, or to the judge— that man shall die; thus you shall purge the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear and fear, and they shall not again act presumptuously.