Deuteronomy 17:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:

Complete Jewish Bible:

and appear before the cohanim, who are L'vi'im, and the judge in office at the time. Seek their opinion, and they will render a verdict for you.

Berean Standard Bible:

You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.

American Standard Version:

and thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days: and thou shalt inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou shalt come^{H935} unto the priests^{H3548} the Levites^{H3881}, and unto the judge^{H8199} that shall be in those days^{H3117}, and enquire^{H1875}; and they shall shew^{H5046} thee the sentence^{H1697} of judgment^{H4941}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 17:9

1. **Themes:**
- **Authority of Priests and Judges:** The verse emphasizes the importance of consulting religious and judicial leaders in matters of law and justice. It underscores the respect and authority given to the priests (specifically the Levites) and the judges in ancient Israelite society.
- **Centralization of Justice:** This verse reflects the broader theme in Deuteronomy of centralizing judicial authority to ensure consistent application of the law and to prevent injustice.
- **Divine Guidance in Judgment:** By seeking the counsel of religious leaders, the verse suggests that divine guidance is an integral part of the judicial process, reinforcing the intertwining of religious and civil authority.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time of Moses:** Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites as they are encamped on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land.
- **Preparation for Settlement:** As the Israelites are about to transition from a nomadic to a settled existence, the book lays out laws and guidelines for life in the land of Canaan.
- **Establishing a Legal System:** The verse is part of a section that outlines the establishment of a legal system, with specific roles for the Levitical priests and appointed judges to administer justice.
- **Levitical Role:** The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, designated by Moses to serve as priests and religious officials. They played a crucial role in religious and civil life, including the administration of justice.

In summary, Deuteronomy 17:9 reflects the theme of centralized authority in the legal system of ancient Israel, where the Levitical priests and contemporary judges were to be consulted for legal decisions, thus ensuring a theocratic governance where religious and civil law were interconnected. This command was given in the context of preparing the Israelites for life in the Promised Land, with Moses providing a framework for a just and ordered society under God's guidance.

*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: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3548
   There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּהֵן
   Transliteration: kôhên
   Pronunciation: ko-hane'
   Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3881
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
   Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
   Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8199
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפַט
   Transliteration: shâphaṭ
   Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4941
   There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
   Transliteration: mishpâṭ
   Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
   Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.