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Deuteronomy 17:12

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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.

And the man {H376} that will do {H6213} presumptuously {H2087}, and will not hearken {H8085} unto the priest {H3548} that standeth {H5975} to minister {H8334} there before the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, or unto the judge {H8199}, even that man {H376} shall die {H4191}: and thou shalt put away {H1197} the evil {H7451} from Israel {H3478}.

Anyone presumptuous enough not to pay attention to the cohen appointed there to serve ADONAI your God or to the judge - that person must die. Thus you will exterminate such wickedness from Isra'el -

But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.

And the man that doeth presumptuously, in not hearkening unto the priest that standeth to minister there before Jehovah thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 17:12

Deuteronomy 17 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, reiterating and expanding upon the laws given at Mount Sinai. This chapter specifically addresses the establishment of a just and orderly society, outlining regulations concerning kingship, judicial procedures, and the role of the Levites and priests. Verse 12 follows instructions for complex legal cases that cannot be resolved locally, requiring appeal to a higher court involving the priests and judges in the central sanctuary (Deuteronomy 17:8-11). The severe penalty for disobedience underscores the absolute authority of the established legal and religious system, which was seen as divinely ordained by God for the well-being of the nation of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authority and Obedience: The verse emphasizes the critical importance of respecting and obeying divinely appointed authority, whether religious (the priest) or civil (the judge). To defy these authorities was to defy God Himself, as they ministered "before the LORD thy God." This highlights the need for order and respect within the community and for the covenant relationship.
  • Gravity of Presumptuous Sin: The term "presumptuously" denotes a deliberate, arrogant, and high-handed act of rebellion against God's established order, not an accidental transgression. Such defiance threatened the very fabric of Israelite society and its covenant relationship with God. This type of sin is distinguished from unintentional sin, which had provisions for atonement under the Law (Numbers 15:30-31).
  • Maintaining Purity and Order: The command to "put away the evil from Israel" reveals the ultimate purpose of the harsh penalty. It was not mere retribution but a necessary act to purge wickedness, prevent its spread, and maintain the holiness and integrity of the nation. This principle of removing evil to preserve the community's spiritual health is reiterated throughout Deuteronomy for various offenses (Deuteronomy 13:5, 19:19, 21:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "presumptuously" is b'zadon (בְּזָדוֹן), derived from the root zadon (זָדוֹן), meaning "arrogance," "pride," or "presumption." It signifies a deliberate act of defiance against God's revealed will or established authority, as opposed to sin committed in ignorance or weakness. This deliberate nature is what makes the sin so severe and deserving of the death penalty, as it reflects a conscious rejection of the covenant and the divine order.

Practical Application

While the specific judicial penalties of ancient Israel are not directly applied in modern legal systems, the principles behind Deuteronomy 17:12 remain relevant for understanding biblical justice and the nature of sin:

  • Respect for Authority: The verse reminds us of the importance of respecting legitimate authority, whether in civil government, the church, or other institutions. While we are called to obey God above all, there is a general biblical principle of submission to those in authority, as long as they do not compel us to sin (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17).
  • Gravity of Willful Sin: The concept of "presumptuous" sin highlights that not all sins are equal in God's eyes regarding their intentionality and impact. Deliberate defiance of God's known commands or established order is particularly grievous because it reflects a hardened heart and a rejection of divine grace.
  • Community Health: The need to "put away the evil" emphasizes that sin affects not just the individual but the entire community. Maintaining spiritual health and moral integrity within a group (like a church or family) often requires addressing and confronting persistent, unrepentant rebellion or harmful behavior to protect the whole.
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

  • Numbers 15:30 (4 votes)

    ¶ But the soul that doeth [ought] presumptuously, [whether he be] born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

  • Deuteronomy 13:5 (4 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 5:20 (3 votes)

    Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

  • Deuteronomy 10:8 (3 votes)

    At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

  • Deuteronomy 17:7 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Hebrews 10:26 (3 votes)

    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

  • Hebrews 10:29 (3 votes)

    Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?