Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Deuteronomy 17:11

Next

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, [to] the right hand, nor [to] the left.

According to the sentence {H6310} of the law {H8451} which they shall teach {H3384} thee, and according to the judgment {H4941} which they shall tell {H559} thee, thou shalt do {H6213}: thou shalt not decline {H5493} from the sentence {H1697} which they shall shew {H5046} thee, to the right hand {H3225}, nor to the left {H8040}.

In accordance with the Torah they teach you, you are to carry out the judgment they render, not turning aside to the right or the left from the verdict they declare to you.

according to the terms of law they give and the verdict they proclaim. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you.

according to the tenor of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do; thou shalt not turn aside from the sentence which they shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 17:11 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 17:8-13) that outlines the establishment of a supreme judicial court in ancient Israel. This system was designed to handle cases too difficult for local judges, ensuring a consistent application of the Mosaic Law across the land. The verse emphasizes the absolute authority of the rulings made by the priests and judges who would preside over this central court, highlighting the importance of their decisions as divine judgments, not merely human opinions. This structure aimed to prevent anarchy and maintain social and religious order under God's covenant.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Obedience: The core message is the unwavering obedience required for the judgments handed down by God's appointed authorities. These rulings were considered expressions of God's will for His people.
  • Judicial Integrity and Finality: The verse underscores the final and binding nature of the decisions made by the central court. There was no room for personal interpretation or deviation once a verdict was given, ensuring legal consistency and preventing endless disputes.
  • Unity and Order: By submitting to a centralized legal system, the Israelites were meant to function as a unified nation, upholding justice and righteousness according to God's standards. This submission was crucial for the stability and well-being of the community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou shalt not decline from the sentence... to the right hand, nor to the left" is a powerful Hebrew idiom. It signifies absolute, unwavering adherence and strict obedience without any deviation or personal interpretation. It means not to stray in the slightest degree from the prescribed course or judgment. This idiom is also found in other contexts emphasizing strict adherence to God's commands, reinforcing the idea that God's law, as interpreted by His chosen representatives, was to be followed precisely.

Practical Application

While the specific judicial system of ancient Israel is no longer in place, the principles embedded in Deuteronomy 17:11 offer timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Respect for Spiritual Authority: The verse encourages a healthy respect for spiritual leaders and teachers who faithfully interpret and teach God's Word. While discernment is always necessary, there is a call to submit to sound biblical teaching and the guidance of godly counsel (Hebrews 13:17).
  • Importance of God's Word: Ultimately, the "sentence of the law" points to the unchangeable truth of God's Word. Believers are called to adhere strictly to biblical principles, not deviating "to the right hand, nor to the left" from its clear teachings.
  • Unity and Order in the Church: Just as in ancient Israel, unity and order within the church are maintained when members respect established biblical authority and common interpretations of scripture, fostering harmony rather than division.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Joshua 1:7 (4 votes)

    Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

  • Titus 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

  • Jude 1:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

  • 2 Peter 2:10 (2 votes)

    ¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  • 1 Peter 2:13 (2 votes)

    ¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

  • 1 Peter 2:15 (2 votes)

    For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

  • Deuteronomy 5:32 (2 votes)

    Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.