Deuteronomy 17:2

If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,

If there be found {H4672} among {H7130} you, within any {H259} of thy gates {H8179} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee, man {H376} or woman {H802}, that hath wrought {H6213} wickedness {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, in transgressing {H5674} his covenant {H1285},

"If there is found among you, within any of your gates [in any city] that ADONAI your God gives you, a man or woman who does what ADONAI your God sees as wicked, transgressing his covenant

If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant

If there be found in the midst of thee, within any of thy gates which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that doeth that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah thy God, in transgressing his covenant,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:2 (KJV) introduces a critical aspect of Israelite legal and spiritual life under the Mosaic Covenant, addressing the severe consequences for those who would betray the Lord God. This verse sets the stage for judicial proceedings against individuals who committed grave offenses, particularly those involving idolatry or other forms of covenant breaking.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Deuteronomy (chapters 16-18) that outlines laws concerning Israel's judicial system, worship, and leadership. The phrase "within any of thy gates" refers to the towns and cities throughout the land God was giving them, emphasizing that these laws were to be applied universally within the nation. The immediate context, following laws about celebrating feasts and appointing judges, transitions to the severe sin of idolatry, which is the primary "wickedness" implied here. Deuteronomy 13 provides further detail on dealing with those who entice others to idolatry, highlighting the gravity of such transgressions.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Fidelity: The core issue is the violation of the covenant established between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. "Transgressing his covenant" signifies a direct breaking of their sacred agreement with the Lord, which demanded exclusive worship and obedience. This was not merely a legal infraction but a profound spiritual betrayal, jeopardizing the nation's relationship with God. For more on the covenant, see Exodus 19:5-6.
  • Divine Justice and Purity: God demands holiness and purity within His people. The presence of "wickedness" (Hebrew: ra'ah, evil or moral depravity) in their midst defiled the community and the land. This verse underscores God's commitment to rooting out evil to maintain the sanctity of His chosen nation.
  • Community Responsibility: The phrase "If there be found among you" implies that the community had a responsibility to identify and address such grievous sins. Maintaining communal purity was a shared responsibility, essential for the nation's spiritual well-being and continued blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The term "wrought wickedness" comes from the Hebrew word ra'ah, which broadly means evil or bad. In this context, it often refers to actions that are morally corrupt and, more specifically, to idolatry or apostasy – turning away from the one true God. "Transgressing his covenant" is a strong phrase, using the Hebrew abar berith, meaning "to cross over" or "to break" a solemn agreement. This emphasizes the deliberate and profound nature of the violation against God's divine law and His established relationship with Israel.

Practical Application

While believers today are not under the strictures of the Mosaic Law, the underlying principles of Deuteronomy 17:2 remain relevant. It teaches us about the seriousness of spiritual rebellion and the importance of faithfulness to God. For us, transgressing God's covenant means acting in ways that defy His revealed will and His character, particularly through spiritual idolatry (placing anything before God) or deliberate sin. This verse reminds us:

  • The importance of personal accountability for our actions before God.
  • The need for integrity and faithfulness within the community of believers.
  • The grave nature of spiritual rebellion and the call to maintain a pure heart and life, acknowledging God as supreme.

Just as ancient Israel was called to remove wickedness from their midst, believers today are called to strive for holiness and to address sin in their lives and communities, not through literal stoning, but through repentance, discipline, and restoration, guided by the principles of grace and truth found in the New Covenant.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 8:1

    ¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

  • Judges 2:20

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

  • Joshua 23:16

    When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.

  • Joshua 7:15

    And it shall be, [that] he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 17:5

    Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, [even] that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.

  • Hosea 6:7

    But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

  • Deuteronomy 13:6

    ¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;