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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 17:17 He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/17-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/05_Deu_17_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 17:17 - Guidelines for a King" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. 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He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the LORD. And he must not accumulate large amounts of wealth in silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He shall not acquire multiple wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away [from God]; nor [for the same reason] shall he acquire great amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray. He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won&#8217t go astray. He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And the king must not have a lot of wives--they might tempt him to be unfaithful to the LORD. Finally, the king must not try to get huge amounts of silver and gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king must never have a large number of wives, or he will turn away [from God]. And he must never own a lot of gold and silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The king is not to have many wives, because this would make him turn away from the LORD; and he is not to make himself rich with silver and gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Also, he must not accumulate wives for himself (otherwise, his affection will become diverted), nor accumulate for himself excessive quantities of silver and gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside, and he must not accumulate much silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart may turn not away: neither shall he greatly accumulate to himself silver and gold.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he does not multiply wives for himself, and his heart does not turn aside, and he does not exceedingly multiply silver and gold for himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he doth not multiply to himself wives, and his heart doth not turn aside, and silver and gold he doth not multiply to himself -- exceedingly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he shall not multiply to him wives, and his heart shall not turn away: and silver and gold he shall not greatly multiply to himself.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He shall not have many wives, that may allure his mind, nor immense sums of silver and gold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He shall not have many wives, who might allure his mind, and he shall not have immense weights of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall he have a great number of wives, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he accumulate a vast amount of silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that they may not cause his heart to turn away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he shall not multiply women to himself, lest they will seduce his heart, and he shall not multiply silver and gold to himself greatly.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he shall not multiply to himself wives, lest his heart turn away; and he shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/17-17.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=4996" 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">Guidelines for a King</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">He must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: yar·beh- (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">take many</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wives</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for himself,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇā·ḇōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">his heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: yā·sūr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">go astray.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">He must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: yar·beh- (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">accumulate</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">for himself</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">large amounts</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: wə·ḵe·sep̄ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">of silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: wə·zā·hāḇ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">and gold.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>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.…<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="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-26.htm">1 Kings 10:26-29</a></span><br />Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. / The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. / Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-13.htm">2 Samuel 5:13</a></span><br />After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-1.htm">1 Kings 3:1</a></span><br />Later, Solomon formed an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying his daughter. Solomon brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his palace and the house of the LORD, as well as the wall around Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-9.htm">1 Kings 11:9-11</a></span><br />Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. / Although He had warned Solomon explicitly not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. / Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/1-16.htm">2 Chronicles 1:16-17</a></span><br />Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. / A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-25.htm">2 Chronicles 9:25-28</a></span><br />Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. / He reigned over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. / The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nehemiah 13:26</a></span><br />Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/31-3.htm">Proverbs 31:3</a></span><br />Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a></span><br />to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.</p><p class="hdg">multiply wives</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a></b></br> Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/3-2.htm">2 Samuel 3:2-5</a></b></br> And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a></b></br> But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, <i>and</i> Hittites; … </p><p class="hdg">neither shall he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/10-21.htm">1 Kings 10:21</a></b></br> And all king Solomon's drinking vessels <i>were of</i> gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon <i>were of</i> pure gold; none <i>were of</i> silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-10.htm">Psalm 62:10</a></b></br> Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart <i>upon them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-8.htm">Proverbs 30:8,9</a></b></br> Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">Accumulate</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/13-13.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/numbers/32-1.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-10.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-15.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-26.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-7.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">Accumulate</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-30.htm">Amounts</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-1.htm">Astray</a> <a href="/judges/15-18.htm">Exceedingly</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-20.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-9.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-19.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-20.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-20.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Wives</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>He must not take many wives for himself</b><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, polygamy was a common practice among kings and leaders. However, this commandment sets Israel apart, emphasizing the importance of monogamy and the potential spiritual dangers of multiple marriages. The warning against taking many wives is exemplified in the life of King Solomon, whose numerous marriages led him to idolatry (<a href="/1_kings/11.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a>). This directive underscores the importance of fidelity and the potential for divided loyalties, which can lead one's heart away from God. The ideal of monogamy is further reinforced in the New Testament, where marriage is depicted as a union between one man and one woman (<a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-33</a>).<p><b>lest his heart go astray</b><br>The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's will and emotions. The warning here is that the king's heart could be led away from God through the influence of foreign wives, who might introduce pagan practices and beliefs. This is a caution against spiritual infidelity and the dangers of allowing personal relationships to compromise one's devotion to God. The heart's propensity to stray is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9</a>, which describes the heart as deceitful. This phrase serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in maintaining spiritual integrity.<p><b>He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold</b><br>The accumulation of wealth is another potential pitfall for a king, as it can lead to pride, self-reliance, and a departure from trusting in God's provision. This commandment is a safeguard against the corrupting influence of wealth, which can lead to exploitation and injustice. The biblical narrative often contrasts the fleeting nature of earthly riches with the enduring value of spiritual treasures (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The prohibition against amassing wealth is also a call to humility and dependence on God, as seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who, though rich, became poor for the sake of humanity (<a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a>). This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where leaders are advised to be free from the love of money (<a href="/1_timothy/3-3.htm">1 Timothy 3:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving the laws as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings_of_israel.htm">Kings of Israel</a></b><br>The future leaders of Israel, for whom these specific instructions are given to ensure righteous leadership.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter and where these laws will be applied.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority and lawgiver, providing guidance for the well-being of His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>The heart is susceptible to being led astray by desires and temptations. Leaders, especially, must be vigilant in maintaining their devotion to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_polygamy.htm">The Dangers of Polygamy</a></b><br>The instruction against taking many wives highlights the potential for divided loyalties and the spiritual dangers of polygamy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wealth_and_contentment.htm">Wealth and Contentment</a></b><br>Accumulating wealth can lead to a false sense of security and distract from reliance on God. Contentment with what God provides is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_integrity.htm">Leadership and Integrity</a></b><br>Leaders are called to a higher standard of integrity and must avoid the pitfalls of power, wealth, and personal indulgence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Adhering to God's instructions is essential for personal and communal well-being, ensuring that leaders and followers alike remain faithful.<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_reconcile_david's_many_sons,_wives.htm">In 1 Chronicles 3:1–9, how do we reconcile David’s unusually large number of sons and wives with historical records of royal families in ancient Israel? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_2_sam_5_13_with_anti-polygamy.htm">How should we address the seeming inconsistency between 2 Samuel 5:13, which mentions David taking more wives and concubines, and other biblical texts condemning polygamy? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_samuel_3_2-5_allow_polygamy.htm">2 Samuel 3:2–5: Why does this passage allow David’s polygamy despite Deuteronomy 17:17 warning against multiplying wives? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_was_polygamy_allowed_then_banned.htm">Why did God allow polygamy in the Old Testament but later prohibit it?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/17-17.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">He must not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">take many</span><br /><span class="heb">יַרְבֶּה־</span> <span class="translit">(yar·beh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wives</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for himself,</span><br /><span class="heb">לּוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבָב֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇā·ḇōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go astray.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָס֖וּר</span> <span class="translit">(yā·sūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">accumulate</span><br /><span class="heb">יַרְבֶּה־</span> <span class="translit">(yar·beh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for himself</span><br /><span class="heb">לּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">great amounts</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of silver</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכֶ֣סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵe·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gold.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְזָהָ֔ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·zā·hāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 17:17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 17:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 17:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 17:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 17:18" /></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>