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Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />and present them to the Levitical priests or the judge on duty at that time. They will hear the case and declare the verdict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And you shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge <i>there</i> in those days, and inquire <i>of them;</i> they shall pronounce upon you the sentence of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So you shall come to the Levitical priests or the judge who is <i>in office</i> in those days, and you shall inquire <i>of them</i> and they will declare to you the verdict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So you shall come to the Levitical priest or the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall inquire of them and they will declare to you the verdict in the case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“So you shall come to the Levitical priest or the judge who is <i>in office</i> in those days, and you shall inquire <i>of them,</i> and they will declare to you the verdict in the case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So you shall come to the Levitical priest or the judge who is <i>in office</i> in those days, and you shall inquire <i>of them</i>, and they will declare to you the judgment in the case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So you shall come to the Levitical priests or to the judge who is <i>in office</i> at that time, and you shall consult them and they will declare to you the verdict in the case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Ask, and they will give you a verdict in the case.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Ask, and they will give you a verdict in the case. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days: and thou shalt inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days: and thou shalt inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Go to the Levitical priests and the judge who is serving at that time. Ask for their opinion, and they will give you their verdict<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and present your case to the levitical priests and to the judge who is in office at that time, and let them decide the case. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Present the case to the Levitical priest or the judge at that time. When you have inquired and they have announced the verdict, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You will go to the Levitical priests and the judge in office in those days and seek a solution; they will render a verdict.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and you shall come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days: and you shall inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall come to the priests who are Levites and to the judge who shall be in those days. You shall inquire, and they shall give you the verdict. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and have come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who is in those days, and have inquired, and they have declared the word of judgment to you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and hast come in unto the priests, the Levites, and unto the judge who is in those days, and hast inquired, and they have declared to thee the word of judgment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou didst go to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge which shall be in those days, and seek out; and they shall announce to thee the word of judgment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And thou shalt come to the priests of the Levitical race, and to the judge, that shall be at that time: and thou shalt ask of them, and they shall shew thee the truth of the judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you shall approach the priests of the Levitical stock, and the judge, who shall be among them at that time, and you shall inquire of them, and they will reveal to you the truth of the judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />to the levitical priests or to the judge who is in office at that time. They shall investigate the case and then announce to you the decision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />where you shall consult with the levitical priests and the judge who is in office in those days; they shall announce to you the decision in the case.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall come to the priest, or the Levite, or to the judge who shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you shall go to the Priest and to the Levites or to the Judge who will be in those days and you shall ask and they shall show you the word of judgment:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And thou shall come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days; and thou shalt inquire; and they shall declare unto thee the sentence of judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />then thou shalt arise and go up to the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, and thou shalt come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days, and they shall search out <i>the matter</i> and report the judgment to thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=4906" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Courts of Law</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ū·ḇā·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">You are to go</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: hal·wî·yim (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">the Levitical</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">and to</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: haš·šō·p̄êṭ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To judge, govern. ">the judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hā·hêm (Art:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">presides at that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bay·yā·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">time.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: wə·ḏā·raš·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">Inquire of them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5046.htm" title="5046: wə·hig·gî·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To be conspicuous. ">and they will give</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a verdict</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: ham·miš·pāṭ (Art:: N-ms) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">in the case.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2-3</a></span><br />“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a></span><br />For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/19-8.htm">2 Chronicles 19:8-10</a></span><br />Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. / He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. / For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/7-25.htm">Ezra 7:25</a></span><br />And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God, which you possess, are to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to anyone who does not know them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-18.htm">Matthew 18:18</a></span><br />Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-2.htm">Acts 15:2</a></span><br />And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Acts 15:6</a></span><br />So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23-29</a></span><br />and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. / It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said. / So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">1 Corinthians 6:1-5</a></span><br />If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-21.htm">Numbers 27:21</a></span><br />He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim. At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">1 Samuel 2:25</a></span><br />If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/22-13.htm">2 Kings 22:13</a></span><br />“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm">2 Kings 23:2-3</a></span><br />And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/8-8.htm">Nehemiah 8:8-9</a></span><br />So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read. / Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-24.htm">Ezekiel 44:24</a></span><br />In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall come to the priests the Levites, and to the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show you the sentence of judgment:</p><p class="hdg">the priests</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></b></br> Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests <i>concerning</i> the law, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a></b></br> For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he <i>is</i> the messenger of the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="hdg">they shall</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Deuteronomy 19:17-21</a></b></br> Then both the men, between whom the controversy <i>is</i>, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/44-24.htm">Ezekiel 44:24</a></b></br> And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; <i>and</i> they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Case</a> <a href="/genesis/24-57.htm">Consult</a> <a href="/numbers/34-13.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-5.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-45.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-4.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-4.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-6.htm">Office</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-6.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/numbers/25-13.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Question</a> <a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Show</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-9.htm">Time</a> <a href="/john/3-19.htm">Verdict</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Case</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-8.htm">Consult</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Decision</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-1.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Inquire</a> <a href="/judges/1-1.htm">Inquired</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Office</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-18.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Question</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Sentence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Show</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-20.htm">Time</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Verdict</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-1.htm">The things sacrificed must be sound</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Idolaters must be slain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Hard controversies are to be determined by the priests and judges</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">The one who shows contempt for the judge must die</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">The election</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">and duty of a king</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time.</b><br>In ancient Israel, the Levitical priests held a unique role as mediators between God and the people, responsible for teaching the Law and offering sacrifices. The inclusion of a judge indicates a system of governance where legal and spiritual matters were intertwined. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israel, where God was seen as the ultimate authority. The judge, often a leader or elder, was tasked with interpreting and applying the Law. This system ensured that decisions were made in accordance with divine principles. The phrase "at that time" suggests a dynamic leadership structure, adaptable to the needs of each generation. This anticipates the later establishment of the Sanhedrin, a council of judges and priests, during the Second Temple period. The New Testament echoes this structure in passages like <a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2-3</a>, where Jesus acknowledges the authority of the teachers of the Law.<p><b>Inquire of them,</b><br>The act of inquiring implies seeking wisdom and guidance, recognizing the authority of those appointed by God. This reflects a humble submission to God's established order. In the broader biblical narrative, inquiry of God or His representatives is a recurring theme, seen in figures like David (<a href="/1_samuel/23-2.htm">1 Samuel 23:2</a>) and Jehoshaphat (<a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3-4</a>). It underscores the importance of seeking divine direction in decision-making. This practice is mirrored in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God (<a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a>).<p><b>and they will give you a verdict in the case.</b><br>The verdict represents a binding decision, reflecting the authority vested in the priests and judge. This process ensured that justice was administered according to God's Law, maintaining social order and righteousness. The Hebrew word for "verdict" can also mean "sentence" or "judgment," emphasizing the finality and seriousness of the decision. This system prefigures the ultimate judgment of Christ, who is described as the righteous judge in <a href="/2_timothy/4-8.htm">2 Timothy 4:8</a>. The concept of a divine verdict is also seen in <a href="/revelation/20-12.htm">Revelation 20:12</a>, where the dead are judged according to their deeds.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/l/levitical_priests.htm">Levitical Priests</a></b><br>Members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and to serve as mediators between God and the Israelites. They were responsible for teaching the Law and making judgments in difficult cases.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_judge.htm">The Judge</a></b><br>An appointed leader or official who held the authority to make legal decisions and judgments. This role was crucial in maintaining justice and order within the community.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes descended from Jacob. The Israelites were given the Law to guide their conduct and relationship with God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_law.htm">The Law</a></b><br>The commandments and statutes given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, which were to be followed by the Israelites. The Law served as the foundation for Israel's covenant relationship with God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judicial_inquiry.htm">Judicial Inquiry</a></b><br>The process of seeking guidance and resolution in legal matters by consulting the appointed religious and judicial authorities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Role of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>God established a system of leadership among His people to ensure justice and righteousness. We should seek leaders who are committed to God's Word and principles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Seeking Wisdom</a></b><br>In times of uncertainty or conflict, it is crucial to seek guidance from those who are knowledgeable in God's Word and who can provide godly counsel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_community_and_accountability.htm">The Value of Community and Accountability</a></b><br>The process of inquiry and judgment underscores the importance of community and accountability. We are called to live in harmony and resolve disputes in a manner that honors God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_necessity_of_obedience_to_god's_law.htm">The Necessity of Obedience to God's Law</a></b><br>The Israelites were instructed to follow the verdicts given by the priests and judges, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the authorities He has established.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_righteous_judgment.htm">The Call to Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to make judgments that reflect God's justice and mercy, ensuring that our decisions align with His truth and love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_are_priests'_powers_checked_in_deut._17.htm">In Deuteronomy 17:8–12, what ensures that the priests and judges—rather than impartial authorities—aren’t abusing their power when settling disputes? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_the_levitical_priesthood.htm">What was the Levitical Priesthood?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_moses_write_about_his_death.htm">If Moses himself wrote Deuteronomy, how could he narrate his own death and burial (Deut. 34:5-6)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_the_levite's_status_credible_in_judges_17.htm">In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Enquire</span>; what, namely, is "the sentence of judgment;" and this the judge should declare. <span class="cmt_word">Sentence of judgment</span>; literally, <span class="accented">word of right</span>, <span class="accented">verbum juris</span>, declaration of what was legally right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You are to go</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבָאתָ֗</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇā·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Levitical</span><br /><span class="heb">הַלְוִיִּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(hal·wî·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levites -- descendant of Levi</span><br /><br /><span class="word">priests</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֲנִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the judge</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֹּׁפֵ֔ט</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šō·p̄êṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">presides at that</span><br /><span class="heb">הָהֵ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּיָּמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(bay·yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Inquire of them,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏā·raš·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they will give</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהִגִּ֣ידוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hig·gî·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be conspicuous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you a verdict</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the case.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 17:9 And you shall come to the priests (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 17:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 17:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 17:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 17:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>