Deuteronomy 17:8

¶ If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, [being] matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;

If there arise a matter {H1697} too hard {H6381} for thee in judgment {H4941}, between blood {H1818} and blood {H1818}, between plea {H1779} and plea {H1779}, and between stroke {H5061} and stroke {H5061}, being matters {H1697} of controversy {H7379} within thy gates {H8179}: then shalt thou arise {H6965}, and get thee up {H5927} into the place {H4725} which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} shall choose {H977};

"If a case comes before you at your city gate which is too difficult for you to judge, concerning bloodshed, civil suit, personal injury or any other controversial issue; you are to get up, go to the place which ADONAI your God will choose,

If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.

If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates; then shalt thou arise, and get thee up unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:8 addresses the critical need for a centralized, supreme court of appeal within ancient Israel's judicial system. This verse outlines the process for handling legal cases that are too complex or controversial for local judges to resolve, ensuring that justice is administered consistently and fairly across the land.

Context

This verse is part of Moses' final instructions to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy lays down the foundational laws and principles for the new nation, covering everything from worship to warfare and civil governance. Recognizing that local elders and judges (as mentioned in Deuteronomy 1:16-17) might face cases beyond their wisdom or authority, God institutes a higher judicial body. This central authority would eventually be located in "the place which the LORD thy God shall choose," referring to the central sanctuary, which later became Jerusalem (as discussed in Deuteronomy 12:5), where priests and Levites, along with appointed judges, would serve as the ultimate arbiters of the law.

Key Themes

  • Centralization of Justice: The verse establishes a hierarchical judicial system, ensuring that difficult disputes are resolved by a higher, divinely sanctioned authority. This prevents local bias or inadequate judgment from undermining the rule of law.
  • Divine Oversight: The phrase "the place which the LORD thy God shall choose" underscores that the ultimate source of justice is God Himself. The judges and priests serving there are merely instruments of His righteous decrees.
  • Maintaining Order and Equity: By providing a clear process for appeals, the law aimed to prevent ongoing "matters of controversy" and ensure that all Israelites received fair judgment, promoting societal stability and trust in the legal system.
  • Types of Difficult Cases: The verse specifies three broad categories of complex disputes:
    • "between blood and blood": Cases involving homicide, murder, serious injury, or questions of life and death.
    • "between plea and plea": Civil disputes, legal arguments, or complex contractual disagreements.
    • "between stroke and stroke": Matters concerning physical assault, bodily harm, or disputes over injuries.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "too hard for thee" (Hebrew: yipale mimmecha) literally means "too wonderful" or "too extraordinary" for you, indicating a case that is beyond ordinary human discernment or one that presents exceptional difficulty in judgment. The repetition of "blood and blood," "plea and plea," and "stroke and stroke" emphasizes the contentious and intricate nature of these legal matters, where conflicting claims or evidence make a clear ruling challenging.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 17:8 offers timeless principles for navigating complex issues:

  • Humility in Judgment: It teaches the importance of recognizing our limitations and the need to seek higher wisdom when faced with decisions beyond our capacity.
  • Value of Expert Counsel: Just as ancient Israelites sought the wisdom of priests and judges in the central sanctuary, we should seek guidance from experienced and godly authorities, whether in legal, spiritual, or personal matters.
  • God's Desire for Justice: This passage reminds us that God is a God of order and justice, desiring fair and equitable resolution to disputes. Believers are called to pursue justice and righteousness in their own lives and communities (Deuteronomy 16:20).
  • Conflict Resolution: The principle of having an impartial, higher authority for dispute resolution can be applied to various contexts, from church leadership to family disagreements, promoting peace and reconciliation.

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

  • Deuteronomy 12:5 (5 votes)

    ¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

  • Haggai 2:11 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests [concerning] the law, saying,

  • Deuteronomy 1:17 (3 votes)

    Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it.

  • 1 Kings 3:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then came there two women, [that were] harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.

  • 1 Kings 3:28 (2 votes)

    And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him, to do judgment.

  • Exodus 18:26 (2 votes)

    And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

  • Deuteronomy 19:4 (2 votes)

    And this [is] the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;