Deuteronomy 17:11

Deuteronomy 17:11 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Acting in agreement with their teaching and the decision they give: not turning to one side or the other from the word they have given you.

Free Bible Version FBV

in accordance with the legal instructions they give you and the verdict they delivered. Don't deviate from the decision they give you.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

According to the Lawe, which they shall teach thee, and according to the iudgement which they shall tell thee, shalt thou doe: thou shalt not decline from the thing which they shall shew thee, neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'According to the tenor of the law which they direct thee, and according to the judgment which they say to thee thou dost do; thou dost not turn aside from the word which they declare to thee, right or left.

World English Bible WEB

According to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn away from the sentence which they announce to you, to the right hand, nor to the left.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

According to his law; and thou shalt follow their sentence: neither shalt thou decline to the right hand nor to the left hand.

Translation for Translators T4T

Accept what they have decided, and do what they say that you should do. Do not try to change in any way what they have decided [IDM].

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 17:11

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 17:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB עַל פִּ֨י הַ/תּוֹרָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יוֹר֗וּ/ךָ וְ/עַל הַ/מִּשְׁפָּ֛ט אֲשֶׁר יֹאמְר֥וּ לְ/ךָ֖ תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה לֹ֣א תָס֗וּר מִן הַ/דָּבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁר יַגִּ֥ידֽוּ לְ/ךָ֖ יָמִ֥ין וּ/שְׂמֹֽאל

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

פִּ֨י peh H6310 lip N-ms

הַ/תּוֹרָ֜ה tôwrâh H8451 instruction Art | N-fs

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יוֹר֗וּ/ךָ yârâh H3384 to shoot V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff

וְ/עַל ʻal H5921 upon Conj | Prep

הַ/מִּשְׁפָּ֛ט mishpâṭ H4941 justice Art | N-ms

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יֹאמְר֥וּ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

לְ/ךָ֖ Prep | Suff

תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Part

תָס֗וּר çûwr H5493 to turn aside V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

מִן min H4480 from Prep

הַ/דָּבָ֛ר dâbâr H1697 Chronicles Art | N-ms

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

יַגִּ֥ידֽוּ nâgad H5046 to tell V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

לְ/ךָ֖ Prep | Suff

יָמִ֥ין yâmîyn H3225 Ben]jamin N-fs

וּ/שְׂמֹֽאל sᵉmôʼwl H8040 left Conj | N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 17:11

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

פִּ֨י peh H6310 "lip" N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.

Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21

Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.

הַ/תּוֹרָ֜ה tôwrâh H8451 "instruction" Art | N-fs

The Hebrew word for instruction or law, referring to the Ten Commandments or the first five books of the Bible, guiding human behavior and moral code.

Definition: 1) law, direction, instruction 1a) instruction, direction (human or divine) 1a1) body of prophetic teaching 1a2) instruction in Messianic age 1a3) body of priestly direction or instruction 1a4) body of legal directives 1b) law 1b1) law of the burnt offering 1b2) of special law, codes of law 1c) custom, manner 1d) the Deuteronomic or Mosaic Law

Usage: Occurs in 213 OT verses. KJV: law. See also: Genesis 26:5; Nehemiah 8:7; Psalms 1:2.

אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

יוֹר֗וּ/ךָ yârâh H3384 "to shoot" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff

To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.

Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain

Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.

וְ/עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

הַ/מִּשְׁפָּ֛ט mishpâṭ H4941 "justice" Art | N-ms

Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.

Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan

Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

יֹאמְר֥וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לְ/ךָ֖ "" Prep | Suff

תַּעֲשֶׂ֑ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

תָס֗וּר çûwr H5493 "to turn aside" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms

To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.

Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed

Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.

מִן min H4480 "from" Prep

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

הַ/דָּבָ֛ר dâbâr H1697 "Chronicles" Art | N-ms

A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.

Definition: This name means word, speaking

Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

יַגִּ֥ידֽוּ nâgad H5046 "to tell" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp

To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.

Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported

Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.

לְ/ךָ֖ "" Prep | Suff

יָמִ֥ין yâmîyn H3225 "Ben]jamin" N-fs

Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18; son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354); brother of: Joseph (H3130); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x Another name of bin.ya.min (בִּנְיָמִין "Benjamin" H1144G)

Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. See also: Genesis 13:9; Psalms 18:36; Psalms 16:8.

וּ/שְׂמֹֽאל sᵉmôʼwl H8040 "left" Conj | N-ms

This word means 'left' or 'north', referring to the left hand or side, as seen in KJV translations. It describes direction or orientation.

Definition: 1) the left, the left hand, the left side 1a) left 1b) left hand 1c) north (as one faces east)

Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: left (hand, side). See also: Genesis 13:9; 1 Kings 22:19; Proverbs 3:16.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 17:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:11 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 17:11
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 17:11
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:11
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:11
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 17:11
Sermons on Deuteronomy 17:11

Context — Courts of Law

9You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. 10You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you,

11according 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.

12But 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. 13Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Joshua 1:7	Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
2	Deuteronomy 5:32	So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.
3	Romans 13:1–6	Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
4	Proverbs 4:27	Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
5	Deuteronomy 17:20	Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.
6	Deuteronomy 28:14	Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.
7	Titus 3:1	Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work,
8	Joshua 23:6	Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.
9	2 Samuel 14:19	So the king asked, “Is the hand of Joab behind all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders; he told your maidservant exactly what to say.
10	Deuteronomy 25:1	If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

Deuteronomy 17:11 Summary

[This verse is telling us to listen to and obey the leaders that God has put in place to guide us, as we are instructed in Deuteronomy 17:11. It's like when you're playing a game and you have to follow the rules, but in this case, the rules are given to us by God through His word and the authorities He has established. By following these rules, we can stay on the right path and live a life that pleases God, as seen in Proverbs 3:1-6. When we obey God's word and the authorities He has placed over us, we can have confidence that we are doing what is right and that God will guide and direct us.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you?

This means that we should fully obey the decision of the authorities God has placed over us, without adding our own interpretations or modifications, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:11 and supported by Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding.

How does this verse relate to the concept of submitting to authority?

This verse emphasizes the importance of submitting to the authority of the priests and judges, as well as to God, as stated in Romans 13:1-2, which instructs us to submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

What happens if we refuse to listen to the authorities and act presumptuously?

According to Deuteronomy 17:12, if we refuse to listen to the authorities and act presumptuously, we will be put to death, which serves as a warning to purge the evil from our midst, as also seen in Deuteronomy 13:6-11.

How does this verse apply to our lives today?

This verse reminds us to respect and obey the authorities God has placed over us, whether in the church or in our daily lives, as we are instructed in Hebrews 13:17 to obey our leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over our souls.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I am being called to submit to authority, and how can I do so in a way that honors God?
How can I balance my desire for autonomy and self-expression with the need to submit to authority and follow God's will?
What role does humility play in our ability to submit to authority and follow God's plan for our lives, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7?
In what ways can I demonstrate my commitment to following God's will and submitting to His authority, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 17:11

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee,.... For they were not to make any new law, but to teach the law of God, and so far as their sense and opinion of things agreed with

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 17:11

And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:11

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee: these words are a manifest limitation of the foregoing assertion, that they were to do according to all that the judge or judges informed him. And they seem to limit and regulate, 1. The judges in their sentence, that they shall not, upon pretence of this supreme authority put into their hands, presume to teach or direct otherwise than the law prescribes. 2. The people in their obedience; first they shall not simply obey them in all things, but so far forth as their sentence is according to the law and word of God, but not when their commands are evidently contrary to God’ s laws, for then, say even popish commentators on this place, they must obey God rather than man. And this cannot be denied by any man of sense, upon supposition that this place speaks of, and this power given to the priest or judge reacheth to, all controversies or questions of faith and manners, as the papists would extend it: for put case these priests or judges’ should give a sentence directly contrary to the express words of God’ s law, Thou shalt worship a graven image, as Aaron did in the case of the calf, thou shalt profane the sabbath, thou shalt dishonour thy father and mother, thou shalt murder, steal, commit adultery, &c., I ask, were the people in this case bound to do as the judge determined, or not? If any say they were, such a bold and wicked assertion must need strike all sober Christians with horror; and if they say they were not, then this must needs be taken for a limitation. But this place speaks only of particular suits between man and man, as is apparent from the notes on See Poole "". And in all such cases, although the judge be hereby confined and tied to his rule in giving the sentence, yet it seems but fit and reasonable that people should be bound simply to acquiesce in the sentence of their last and highest judge, or else there would have been no end of strife.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:11

Deuteronomy 17:8-20. THE IN ISRAEL OF THE WRITTEN LAW OF GOD.(8) If there arise a matter too hard for thee.—Literally, too wonderful.Between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke.—The “blood” and the “plea” seem to indicate criminal and civil cases. The word “stroke” is the common word for “plague” in the Pentateuch and elsewhere. It may possibly refer to cases of ceremonial purity or impurity, especially in reference to disease. There is an evident allusion to this law in the history of King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:8-10). There the words are “between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments.” The questions are (1) between two contending parties; (2) between the law as a general rule and its application to particular duties, institutions and requirements. Other passages in the same chapter recall Deuteronomy 16:18-20. Matters of controversy within thy gates—i.e., in the local courts of their several cities. The “gate” was the place of judgment. In 2 Chronicles 19:10, the phrase is more clearly expressed, thus, “what cause soever shall come unto you of your brethren that dwell in their cities.”Into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose.—This implies what was afterwards ordered before Moses’ death, that the standard copy of the Law would be kept beside the Ark of the Covenant, in the sacred place (Deuteronomy 31:26). (9) Thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites—i.e., “the priests that come of the tribe of Levi” (Rashi). Some modern critics say the writer of Deuteronomy knew no distinction between priests and Levites; but see above on Deuteronomy 11:6, and also the notes on Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:25. The priests, the Levites, and . . . the judge.—The order agrees exactly with the constitution which Moses left behind him at his death. This has been already indicated in Numbers 27:15-21. Joshua was to “stand before Eleazar.” Eleazar was to ask counsel from Jehovah, and at his word Joshua and all the people were to go in and out. The order, when the two are mentioned together in the Book of Joshua, is invariably “Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun,” not vice versâ. The priests are the custodians of the Law; the judge or chief magistrate is the executor of it. (Comp. Malachi 2:7-8.) The principle is not altered by the substitution of a king for the judge, or by the addition of a prophet. That shall be in those days.—Rashi and the New Testament are curiously agreed in the application of this part of the commandment. Our Lord, in Matthew 23:2-3, says of the Scribes and Pharisees (the judges of His day) that they “sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do.” Rashi says here, “Although he is not like the rest of the judges that were before him, thou must hearken to him. There is no judge for thee except the judge that is in thy days.”(9-11) And they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment . . .

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 17:11

11. law] Heb. torah, usually of the directions given by priests in questions of ritual, covers here their decisions in civil cases as well. Teach, rather direct, is the vb from which Torah is derived.

Sermons on Deuteronomy 17:11

	Sermon	Description
	The Ultimate Test of Faith by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the children of Israel in Exodus. He highlights how they witnessed a great miracle when God saved them and led them through the
	Joshua's Obedience by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying close to the word of God and one's conscience in order to prosper in life. The sermon highlights the folly of bein
	(Through the Bible) Joshua 1-8 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the excitement and importance of walking after the Spirit. He references the story of Joshua encountering a man with a drawn sword near Jeric
	Studies in Joshua 02 - Entering the Land by Alden Gannett	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of going back to the book of God to be reminded of what He has done. He highlights the faith and trust in God that the priests
	Studies in Joshua 01 - Faith + Obedience = Success by Alden Gannett	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Joshua and its significance. He acknowledges that it is not possible to cover every verse of the 24 chapters, but he aims to conv
	Joshua Series #1: Possessing Our Possessions by Richard Sipley	In this sermon, the speaker introduces a unique series on understanding how God has created each individual and their role in the world of work. The series will also touch on the g
	High Time to Awake by Miles DeBenedictis	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing the time and being aware of the nearness of salvation. He urges the church to cast off the works of darkness and pu