Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:8-13

A matter too hard] As Judges and Officers were to be appointed in all Cities in Canaan, Deut. XVI. 18, 19, 20. So here the highest Court of Judicature over the whole Land, in difficult Causes, and for matters of Appeal, was appointed to be in that one place which the Lord should choose; which in after-times appeared to be the City Jerusalem. And here it is not sure and evident whether this Supreme Court were to be one, mixt of the Priests, and the Civil Judge joyntly; Or (though this not so likely) two distinct Courts, Ecclesiastical, and Civil; both Supreme in their kinde. Judgement of death was awarded upon presumptuous disobedience to their Sentence. And more of this Supreme Court Moses doth not deliver.

Yet upon this, the Jewes in after-ages grounded their great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem; and not upon the LXX. Num. XI. For those were onely added to assist Moses in his troublesome government of that unruly Campe of the Jewes in the Wildernesse; as likewise those Rulers and Judges, Exod. XVIII.