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Deuteronomy 17:18

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And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:

And it shall be, when he sitteth {H3427} upon the throne {H3678} of his kingdom {H4467}, that he shall write {H3789} him a copy {H4932} of this law {H8451} in a book {H5612} out of that which is before {H6440} the priests {H3548} the Levites {H3881}:

"When he has come to occupy the throne of his kingdom, he is to write a copy of this Torah for himself in a scroll, from the one the cohanim and L'vi'im use.

When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:18 is part of the instructions given to Israel regarding their future king. It specifies a crucial duty for the monarch upon ascending the throne.

Context

This verse is found within Deuteronomy chapter 17, which lays out various laws for the nation of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, verses 14-20 provide guidelines for when Israel would eventually desire and appoint a king. These laws aimed to ensure the king would rule righteously, avoid the pitfalls of power, and remain accountable to God and His law, rather than becoming a tyrant like kings of surrounding nations.

Key Themes

  • The King's Submission to God's Law: The requirement for the king to personally copy the law underscores that even the highest earthly authority is under the divine authority of God's word.
  • Personal Engagement with Scripture: The act of writing the law himself implies a deep, personal interaction with God's commands, fostering understanding and obedience.
  • Accountability and Humility: This task served as a reminder to the king that he was not above the law but bound by it, promoting humility and preventing pride (Deuteronomy 17:20).
  • The Role of the Priests and Levites: The law was to be copied from the version kept "before the priests the Levites," highlighting their role as custodians and preservers of God's sacred text.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "write him a copy" indicates a personal act. The Hebrew suggests a careful, possibly verbatim, transcription. The source is specified as being "before the priests the Levites," emphasizing the importance of using the authorized, preserved text of the law held by those entrusted with its care. This wasn't a casual summary but a diligent reproduction of the divine instructions.

Commentary and Application

This command ensured that the king would have a personal, intimate knowledge of the law he was sworn to uphold and administer. It wasn't enough for him to delegate the task or merely have advisors who knew the law; he himself had to internalize it through the laborious process of writing it out. This would ideally shape his character, decisions, and rule, ensuring justice and faithfulness according to God's standards.

For believers today, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of personally engaging with God's word. While we don't copy the entire Bible by hand, we are called to diligently read, study, meditate upon, and live by it (Psalm 1:2). Just as the law was the basis for the king's righteous rule, God's word is the basis for a righteous life and informs how we should lead in any capacity, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities. It requires effort and intentionality, but the result is a deeper understanding and a life guided by divine truth, preventing us from being "lifted up" in pride and ensuring we stay faithful to God's path.

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

  • 2 Kings 11:12 (4 votes)

    And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and [gave him] the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

  • Deuteronomy 31:9 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:15 (3 votes)

    And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

  • Deuteronomy 31:24 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

  • Deuteronomy 31:26 (3 votes)

    Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

  • 2 Kings 22:8 (3 votes)

    And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.