Deuteronomy 17:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard [of it], and enquired diligently, and, behold, [it be] true, [and] the thing certain, [that] such abomination is wrought in Israel:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and it is told to you, or you hear about it; then you are to investigate the matter diligently. If it is true, if it is confirmed that such detestable things are being done in Isra'el;

Berean Standard Bible:

and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,

American Standard Version:

and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it; then shalt thou inquire diligently; and, behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it be told^{H5046} thee, and thou hast heard^{H8085} of it, and enquired^{H1875} diligently^{H3190}, and, behold, it be true^{H571}, and the thing^{H1697} certain^{H3559}, that such abomination^{H8441} is wrought^{H6213} in Israel^{H3478}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 17:4

1. Themes:
- Religious and Moral Purity: The verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining religious and moral purity within the Israelite community by identifying and addressing abominable practices.
- Justice and Accountability: It underscores the necessity of establishing justice by investigating and confirming reports of wrongdoing before taking action.
- Obedience to God's Law: The instruction to respond to confirmed instances of abomination reflects the broader theme of strict adherence to God's commandments as outlined in Deuteronomy.

2. Historical Context:
- Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and presents itself as a series of speeches he gave to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.
- The book is set during the last days of Moses' life, around the 13th century BCE, as the Israelites are poised to cross the Jordan River and begin the conquest of Canaan.
- Deuteronomy 17 is part of a section that provides regulations for the future life of Israel in Canaan, including instructions for judges, kings, priests, and prophets.
- The verse in question is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 17:2-7) that outlines the procedure for dealing with idolatry. It instructs the Israelites on how to handle cases where someone is accused of worshiping other gods or engaging in prohibited religious practices.
- The historical context reflects a period where the Israelites are transitioning from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a settled life in Canaan, and the importance of establishing a just and godly society is paramount.

In summary, Deuteronomy 17:4 highlights the need for a rigorous judicial process to ensure that the Israelite society remains free from idolatry and other grave sins, reflecting the overarching themes of religious integrity, justice, and loyalty to God's laws as the Israelites prepare to establish themselves in the Promised Land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H5046
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַד
   Transliteration: nâgad
   Pronunciation: naw-gad'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise; bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1875
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּרַשׁ
   Transliteration: dârash
   Pronunciation: daw-rash'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship; ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3190
   There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָטַב
   Transliteration: yâṭab
   Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen).
   
5. Strong's Number: H571
   There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶמֶת
   Transliteration: ʼemeth
   Pronunciation: eh'-meth
   Description: contracted from אָמַן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8441
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹעֵבַה
   Transliteration: tôwʻêbah
   Pronunciation: to-ay-baw'
   Description: or תֹּעֵבַה; feminine active participle of תַּעָב; properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol; abominable (custom, thing), abomination.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3478
    There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
    Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
    Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
    Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.