Deuteronomy 17:4

Deuteronomy 17:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
• New International Version (NIV)and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
• English Standard Version (ESV)and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel,
• New King James Version (NKJV)and it is told you, and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination has been committed in Israel,

Context of Deuteronomy 17:4

2If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant 3and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, 5you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death. 6On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.

Deuteronomy 17:4 word by word

וְהֻֽגַּד־לְךָ֖ וְשָׁמָ֑עְתָּ וְדָרַשְׁתָּ֣ הֵיטֵ֔ב וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֱמֶת֙ נָכ֣וֹן הַדָּבָ֔ר נֶעֶשְׂתָ֛ה הַתּוֹעֵבָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Read the interlinear

• and if it is reportedנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• and you hear about itשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• you must investigate itדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• thoroughlyיָטַבyâţab · be goodH3190
• Ifהִנֵּהhinnêh · beholdH2009
• the reportדָּבָרdâbâr · word: promisedH1697
• isעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• trueאֱמֶת'emeth · truth: trueH571
• trueכּוּןkûn · to establish: rightH3559
• and suchזֹאתzô'th · thisH2063
• an abominationתּוֹעֵבַהtô‛êbah tô‛êbah · abominationH8441
• has happened in Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 17:4

• Deuteronomy 13:12If, regarding one of the cities the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, you hear it said
• Deuteronomy 19:18The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,
• Proverbs 25:2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
• John 7:51“Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?”

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 17:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4If it be told thee - In a private way by any confidential person. And thou hast heard of it; so that it appears to be notorious, very likely to be true, and publicly scandalous. And hast inquired diligently - sought to find out the truth of the report by the most careful examination of persons reporting, circumstances of the case, etc. And, behold, it be true - the report is not founded on vague rumor, hearsay, or malice. And the thing certain…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2-7Verses 2-7 Compare Deuteronomy 13:1 ff. Here special reference is made to the legal forms to be adopted, Deuteronomy 17:5-7. The sentence was to be carried into effect at “the gates” (compare Genesis 19:1 note) of the town in which the crime was committed; because, as “all the people” were to take a part, an open space would be requisite for the execution. Note the typical and prophetical aspect of the injunction; compare Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Anything that offends the Lord could be called an abomination (see 7:25; 12:31; 13:14). This word describes actions that are deeply hateful or detestable in God’s sight.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-72-7. If there be found among you ... man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness--The grand object contemplated in choosing Israel was to preserve the knowledge and worship of the one true God; and hence idolatry of any kind, whether of the heavenly bodies or in some grosser form, is called "a transgression of His covenant." No rank or sex could palliate this crime. Every reported case, even a flying rumor of the perpetration of so heinous an offense, was…Read the comment

Topics related to Deuteronomy 17:4

• Church
• Idolatry
• Intolerance, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Idolatry
• Mouth
• Atonement, Day of
• Certain; Certainly; Certainty
• Criticism
• Exodus, the Book of
• Genesis

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings