King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The witnesses are to be the first to stone him to death; afterwards, all the people are to stone him. Thus you will put an end to this wickedness among you.
Berean Standard Bible:
The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.
American Standard Version:
The hand of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The hands{H3027} of the witnesses{H5707} shall be first{H7223} upon him to put him to death{H4191}, and afterward{H314} the hands{H3027} of all the people{H5971}. So thou shalt put{H1197} the evil{H7451} away{H1197} from among{H7130} you.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 13:9
- But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.
1 Corinthians 5:13
- But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Deuteronomy 17:12
- And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
Deuteronomy 13:5
- And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
Deuteronomy 24:7
- If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.
Deuteronomy 19:19
- Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
Acts 7:58
- And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 17:7
Deuteronomy 17:7 is part of a broader section of laws concerning the establishment of a just society in the Promised Land, as the Israelites are about to enter under the leadership of Joshua. The historical context is the period of the Exodus, where Moses is giving his final speeches to the Israelites, which form the book of Deuteronomy. This verse specifically addresses the theme of justice and the procedure for dealing with capital crimes.
**Themes:**
1. **Justice and Legal Procedure:** The verse emphasizes the importance of due process in the administration of justice. It outlines that those who bear witness to a capital offense are to be the first to carry out the sentence, ensuring that punishment is not arbitrary but is connected to the testimony that condemns the individual.
2. **Community Responsibility:** By involving the witnesses and then the community at large in the execution, the verse underscores the shared responsibility for maintaining the moral and legal order within the society. It serves as a deterrent against false testimony and ensures that the community is aware of and participates in upholding justice.
3. **Purity of the Community:** The phrase "so thou shalt put the evil away from among you" reflects the concern for the moral and spiritual purity of the Israelite community. The execution of the guilty party is seen not only as a punishment for the individual but also as a means of purifying the community from evil influence.
4. **Witness as a Serious Role:** The requirement for witnesses to initiate the execution highlights the gravity of their role in the legal process. It serves as a safeguard against wrongful convictions and emphasizes that taking a life is a serious matter that requires multiple credible witnesses.
**Historical Context:**
Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses before the Israelites cross into the Promised Land. These speeches reiterate the law given at Mount Sinai (Horeb) and address the unique circumstances of a settled, agricultural life that the Israelites are about to encounter, as opposed to their nomadic existence in the wilderness. The laws are intended to shape the religious and civil life of the nation, distinguishing it from the surrounding Canaanite cultures.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, capital punishment was a common practice, and the laws in Deuteronomy seek to regulate it within a framework of justice and worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The emphasis on communal involvement in executions also reflects the societal structure of the time, where tribal and community ties were paramount.
Overall, Deuteronomy 17:7 reflects the book's concern with establishing a society governed by just laws and the central role of Yahweh in all aspects of life, including the legal system.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3027
There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָד
Transliteration: yâd
Pronunciation: yawd
Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. - Strong's Number: H5707
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵד
Transliteration: ʻêd
Pronunciation: ayd
Description: contracted from עוּד; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince; witness. - Strong's Number: H7223
There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִאשׁוֹן
Transliteration: riʼshôwn
Pronunciation: ree-shone'
Description: or רִאשֹׁן; from רִאשָׁה; first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun); ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. - Strong's Number: H4191
There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוּת
Transliteration: mûwth
Pronunciation: mooth
Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. - Strong's Number: H314
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחֲרוֹן
Transliteration: ʼachărôwn
Pronunciation: akh-ar-one'
Description: or (shortened) אַחֲרֹן; from אָחַר; hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western; after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H7130
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶב
Transliteration: qereb
Pronunciation: keh'-reb
Description: from קָרַב; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition); [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self.