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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 17:8 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/17-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/05_Deu_17_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 17:8 - Courts of Law" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/17-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/17-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-7.htm" title="Deuteronomy 17:7">◄</a> Deuteronomy 17:8 <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm" title="Deuteronomy 17:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/17.htm">New International Version</a> If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge—whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults—take them to the place the LORD your God will choose. <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Suppose a case arises in a local court that is too hard for you to decide—for instance, whether someone is guilty of murder or only of manslaughter, or a difficult lawsuit, or a case involving different kinds of assault. Take such legal cases to the place the LORD your God will choose, <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> “If any case arises requiring decision between one kind of homicide and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another, any case within your towns that is too difficult for you, then you shall arise and go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose. <a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">King James Bible</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; <a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/17.htm">New King James Version</a> “If a matter arises which is too hard for you to judge, between degrees of guilt for bloodshed, between one judgment or another, or between one punishment or another, matters of controversy within your gates, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “If a case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, that are cases of dispute in your courts, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220If any case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your courts, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “If any case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your courts, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “If any case is too difficult for you to judge, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your gates, then you shall arise and go up to the place which Yahweh your God chooses. <a href="/amp/deuteronomy/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “If any case is too difficult for you to judge—between one kind of homicide and another, between one kind of lawsuit and another, between one kind of assault and another, being controversial issues in your courts—then you shall arise and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/csb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “If a case is too difficult for you—concerning bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults —cases disputed at your city gates, then go up to the place the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If a case is too difficult for you—concerning bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults—cases disputed at your gates, you must go up to the place the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/asv/deuteronomy/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates; then shalt thou arise, and get thee up unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose; <a href="/erv/deuteronomy/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; <a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> There may be a case that is too hard for you to decide. It may involve murder, assault, or a dispute-any case which may be brought to court in your cities. Take this case to the place that the LORD your God will choose. <a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> "It may be that some cases will be too difficult for the local judges to decide, such as certain cases of property rights or of bodily injury or those cases that involve a distinction between murder and manslaughter. When this happens, go to the one place of worship chosen by the LORD your God, <a href="/isv/deuteronomy/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> "If a case is too difficult for you to decide with respect to bloodshed, civil claims, assault and battery, or other matters of dispute within your courts, bring it to the place that the LORD your God will choose. <a href="/msb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/deuteronomy/17.htm">NET Bible</a> If a matter is too difficult for you to judge--bloodshed, legal claim, or assault--matters of controversy in your villages--you must leave there and go up to the place the LORD your God chooses. <a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates; then you shall arise, and go up to the place which the LORD your God shall choose; <a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> If there shall arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and go up to the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; <a href="/web/deuteronomy/17.htm">World English Bible</a> If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates, then you shall arise, and go up to the place which Yahweh your God chooses. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> When anything is too hard for you for judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke—matters of strife within your gates—then you have risen and gone up to the place on which your God YHWH fixes, <a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'When anything is too hard for thee for judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke -- matters of strife within thy gates -- then thou hast risen, and gone up unto the place on which Jehovah thy God doth fix, <a href="/slt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> When a word shall be hard for thee for judging between blood to blood, between controversy to controversy, and between blow to blow, words of contention in thy gates; and thou didst arise and go up to the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose in it;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If thou perceive that there be among you a hard and doubtful matter in judgment between blood and blood, cause and cause, leprosy and leprosy: and thou see that the words of the judges within thy gates do vary: arise, and go up to the place, which the Lord thy God shall choose. <a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If you have perceived that there is among you a difficult and doubtful matter of judgment, between blood and blood, cause and cause, leprosy and leprosy, and if you will have seen that the words of the judges within your gates vary: rise up and ascend to the place which the Lord your God will choose. <a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/17.htm">New American Bible</a> If there is a case for judgment which proves too baffling for you to decide, in a matter of bloodshed or of law or of injury, matters of dispute within your gates, you shall then go up to the place which the LORD, your God, will choose, <a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If a judicial decision is too difficult for you to make between one kind of bloodshed and another, one kind of legal right and another, or one kind of assault and another—any such matters of dispute in your towns—then you shall immediately go up to the place that the LORD your God will choose,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> If there arise a matter which is too difficult for you to judge, between murder and murder, between lawsuit and lawsuit, and between a sore of leprosy and a sore of leprosy, any matters of controversy within your towns; then you shall arise and go to the place which the LORD your God shall choose for himself; <a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when a matter of judgment will be concealed from you between blood and blood, and between judgment and judgment, and between a plague of leprosy and between a plague of leprosy, a matter of contention in your cities, you shall arise and you shall go to the place that LORD JEHOVAH your God will choose for it;<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, even matters of controversy within thy gates; then shalt thou arise, and get thee up unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose. <a href="/sep/deuteronomy/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And if a matter shall be too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, and between cause and cause, and between stroke and stroke, and between contradiction and contradiction, matters of judgment in your cities; <a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=4892" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/17.htm">Courts of Law</a> 8<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a case</a> <a href="/hebrew/6381.htm" title="6381: yip·pā·lê (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. Distinguish; by implication, to be great, difficult, wonderful.">is too difficult</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·mə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">for you</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: lam·miš·pāṭ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">to judge,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">whether</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rî·ḇōṯ (N-mp) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">the controversy</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: biš·‘ā·re·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">within your gates</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên- (Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">is regarding</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dām (N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">bloodshed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: lə·ḏām (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed."></a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên- (Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1779.htm" title="1779: dîn (N-ms) -- Judgment. From diyn; judgement; by impl. Also strife.">lawsuits,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1779.htm" title="1779: lə·ḏîn (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Judgment. From diyn; judgement; by impl. Also strife."></a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇên (Conj-w:: Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5061.htm" title="5061: ne·ḡa‘ (N-ms) -- A stroke, plague, mark. From naga'; a blow; also a spot.">or assaults,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5061.htm" title="5061: lā·ne·ḡa‘ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- A stroke, plague, mark. From naga'; a blow; also a spot."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: wə·qam·tā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: wə·‘ā·lî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">you must go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">the place</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: yiḇ·ḥar (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">will choose.</a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_chronicles/19-10.htm">2 Chronicles 19:10</a> 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. <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26</a> And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Exodus 18:22</a> Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. <a href="/numbers/27-2.htm">Numbers 27:2-5</a> the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, / “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. / Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.” ... <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a> At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">1 Corinthians 6:1-6</a> 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! ... <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a> If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">1 Samuel 2:25</a> 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. <a href="/2_samuel/15-2.htm">2 Samuel 15:2-4</a> He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” / And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.” <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-2</a> Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / 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. <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Acts 15:6</a> So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. <a href="/acts/15-19.htm">Acts 15:19-20</a> It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. / Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. <a href="/1_corinthians/5-12.htm">1 Corinthians 5:12-13</a> What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” <a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17</a> Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. <a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-2</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>If there arise a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates: then shall you arise, and get you up into the place which the LORD your God shall choose;arise<a href="/deuteronomy/1-17.htm">Deuteronomy 1:17</a> Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.<a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26</a> And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a> Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him… between blood<a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Deuteronomy 19:4,10,11</a> And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past; … <a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12-14,20,22,28</a> He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death… <a href="/exodus/22-2.htm">Exodus 22:2</a> If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.get thee up<a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5</a> But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:<a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Deuteronomy 19:17</a> Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;<a href="/psalms/122-4.htm">Psalm 122:4,5</a> Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-23.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-24.htm">Case</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-7.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-2.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-18.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-2.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-4.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/numbers/21-3.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/revelation/13-3.htm">Stroke</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/29-22.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-6.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Case</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-5.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-11.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-4.htm">Plea</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-5.htm">Stroke</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-10.htm">Within</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 17</div>1. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-1.htm">The things sacrificed must be sound</a> 2. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Idolaters must be slain</a> 8. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Hard controversies are to be determined by the priests and judges</a> 12. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">The one who shows contempt for the judge must die</a> 14. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">The election</a> 16. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-16.htm">and duty of a king</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>If a case is too difficult for you to judge This phrase addresses the limitations of local judges in ancient Israel. It acknowledges that not all legal matters can be resolved at the local level due to their complexity. This reflects the need for a higher authority in judicial matters, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discernment in leadership. The principle of seeking higher counsel is echoed in <a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Exodus 18:13-26</a>, where Moses appoints leaders to judge smaller matters while reserving the more difficult cases for himself.whether the controversy within your gates The term "within your gates" refers to the local communities or towns in Israel. Each town had its own set of elders and judges who were responsible for maintaining justice. This phrase highlights the communal aspect of justice, where local leaders were expected to handle disputes. The gates of a city were often the place where legal matters were discussed and resolved, as seen in <a href="/ruth/4.htm">Ruth 4:1-11</a>.is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults These categories cover a range of legal issues that could arise in a community. Bloodshed refers to cases of murder or manslaughter, lawsuits involve civil disputes, and assaults pertain to physical violence. The inclusion of these specific categories underscores the comprehensive nature of the law in addressing both criminal and civil matters. The Mosaic Law provided detailed instructions for handling such cases, as seen in <a href="/exodus/21.htm">Exodus 21-23</a>.you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose This phrase indicates the centralization of difficult legal cases to a divinely appointed location, which would later be identified as Jerusalem. The phrase "the place the LORD your God will choose" is significant in Deuteronomy, pointing to the future establishment of a central place of worship and governance. This centralization ensured consistency in legal decisions and maintained the unity of the nation. It also foreshadows the role of Jerusalem as the spiritual and judicial center of Israel, as seen in <a href="/2_chronicles/19-8.htm">2 Chronicles 19:8-10</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws and instructions to the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judges_and_priests.htm">Judges and Priests</a> Appointed leaders responsible for making judicial decisions in difficult cases. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_place_the_lord_will_choose.htm">The Place the LORD Will Choose</a> Refers to the central place of worship and judgment, which later becomes Jerusalem. 5. <a href="/topical/c/controversial_cases.htm">Controversial Cases</a> Legal matters that are too complex for local judges, requiring higher authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> God establishes a system of leadership to ensure justice and righteousness among His people. We should pray for and support godly leaders in our communities and churches. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_wisdom_in_difficult_situations.htm">Seeking Wisdom in Difficult Situations</a> When faced with complex issues, we should seek wisdom from God and counsel from those He has placed in authority. This reflects humility and trust in God's provision. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_decision-making.htm">The Role of Community in Decision-Making</a> The community of faith plays a crucial role in resolving disputes. We should engage with our church community when facing difficult decisions, valuing their input and guidance. <a href="/topical/t/the_centrality_of_god's_chosen_place.htm">The Centrality of God's Chosen Place</a> The reference to "the place the LORD your God will choose" highlights the importance of central worship and obedience to God's commands. We should prioritize worship and obedience in our lives. <a href="/topical/j/justice_and_fairness_in_all_matters.htm">Justice and Fairness in All Matters</a> God cares deeply about justice and fairness. As believers, we should strive to uphold these values in our personal and communal lives, reflecting God's character to the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 17</a> <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> <a href="/q/what_is_god's_justice.htm">What does it mean that God embodies justice?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_christian_civil_rights_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian civil rights?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_matthew_18_18_align_with_divine_authority.htm">Matthew 18:18 – How does the promise of binding and loosing on earth affecting heaven align with other biblical texts on divine authority?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div><a href="/context/deuteronomy/17-8.htm" title="If there arise a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates: then shall you arise, and get you up into the place which the LORD your God shall choose;">Deuteronomy 17:8-20</a>. THE SUPREMACY 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 (<a href="/context/2_chronicles/19-8.htm" title="Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.">2Chronicles 19:8-10</a>). 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 <a href="/context/deuteronomy/16-18.htm" title="Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.">Deuteronomy 16:18-20</a>.Matters of controversy within thy gates--i.e., in the local courts of their several cities. The "gate" was the place of judgment. In <a href="/2_chronicles/19-10.htm" title="And what cause soever shall come to you of your brothers that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, you shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come on you, and on your brothers: this do, and you shall not trespass.">2Chronicles 19:10</a>, 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 (<a href="/deuteronomy/31-26.htm" title="Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.">Deuteronomy 31:26</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8-13. - So long as Moses was with the people, they had in him one to whom, in the last resort, cases might be brought for decision which were found too difficult for the ordinary judges (<a href="/exodus/18-19.htm">Exodus 18:19-26</a>). But, as he was not to be always with them, it was needful to provide a supreme court, to which such cases might be carried when they could no longer be decided by him; and such a court is here appointed to be held at the sanctuary. Verse 8. - A matter too hard for thee; literally, too marvelous; something extraordinary, and which could not be decided by the ordinary rules of the judicature. Between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke; i.e. in cases where blood had been shed and death had ensued, either accidentally or from murderous intent (cf. <a href="/exodus/21-13.htm">Exodus 21:13</a>, etc.; <a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">Numbers 35:9</a>, etc.); in cases of disputed rights and claims (cf. <a href="/2_chronicles/19-10.htm">2 Chronicles 19:10</a>); and in cases where corporeal injury had been suffered, whether in strife or from assault (<a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Exodus 21:18</a>, etc.); and, in general, wherever matters of controversy - disputes as to what was lawful and right, might arise in their towns and villages. In all such cases recourse was to be had to the court at the sanctuary - "to the priests the Levites," i.e. the priests who were of the tribe of Levi, and to the judge presiding there - the lay judge associated with the high priest as president (see Oehler, in Herzog's 'Encyclop.,' vol. 5. p. 58). It is not intended by this that an appeal was to lie from the lower court to the higher, or that the parties in a suit might carry it at once to the supreme judge; the meaning rather is that, when the ordinary judges found a case too difficult for them to deal with, they were themselves to transmit it to the supreme court for decision. <a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>If כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction a case דָבָ֜ר (ḏā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause is too difficult יִפָּלֵא֩ (yip·pā·lê) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6381.htm">Strong's 6381: </a> To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful for you מִמְּךָ֨ (mim·mə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of to judge, לַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט (lam·miš·pāṭ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style whether דִּבְרֵ֥י (diḇ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause the controversy רִיבֹ֖ת (rî·ḇōṯ) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> Strife, dispute within your gates בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ (biš·‘ā·re·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> An opening, door, gate is regarding בֵּֽין־ (bên-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between bloodshed, דָּ֨ם ׀ (dām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed lawsuits, דִּ֣ין (dîn) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1779.htm">Strong's 1779: </a> Judgement, strife or assaults, נֶ֙גַע֙ (ne·ḡa‘) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5061.htm">Strong's 5061: </a> Mark -- a blow, a spot you must go up וְעָלִ֔יתָ (wə·‘ā·lî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the place הַמָּק֔וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative will choose. יִבְחַ֛ר (yiḇ·ḥar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> To try, select <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard (Deut. 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