Deuteronomy 1:17
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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַכִּ֨ירוּ
Ye shall not respect
H5234
תַכִּ֨ירוּ
Ye shall not respect
Strong's:
H5234
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (
מִפְּנֵי
of the face
H6440
מִפְּנֵי
of the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט
for the judgment
H4941
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט
for the judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כַּקָּטֹ֤ן
the small
H6996
כַּקָּטֹ֤ן
the small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
5 of 22
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
כַּגָּדֹל֙
as well as the great
H1419
כַּגָּדֹל֙
as well as the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
6 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו׃
but ye shall hear
H8085
וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו׃
but ye shall hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 22
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָג֙וּרוּ֙
ye shall not be afraid
H1481
תָג֙וּרוּ֙
ye shall not be afraid
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
מִפְּנֵי
of the face
H6440
מִפְּנֵי
of the face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
10 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִ֔ישׁ
of man
H376
אִ֔ישׁ
of man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט
for the judgment
H4941
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט
for the judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
לֵֽאלֹהִ֣ים
is God's
H430
לֵֽאלֹהִ֣ים
is God's
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
ה֑וּא
H1931
ה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְהַדָּבָר֙
and the cause
H1697
וְהַדָּבָר֙
and the cause
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
16 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִקְשֶׁ֣ה
that is too hard
H7185
יִקְשֶׁ֣ה
that is too hard
Strong's:
H7185
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)
מִכֶּ֔ם
H4480
מִכֶּ֔ם
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Exodus 18:26And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.James 2:9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.Proverbs 24:23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.Leviticus 19:15Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.2 Chronicles 19:6And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.Exodus 18:22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.Proverbs 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.1 Thessalonians 2:4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.Deuteronomy 10:17For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Historical Context
This judicial code predates similar principles in other ancient Near Eastern law codes by emphasizing impartiality toward strangers and the poor. Most ancient legal systems favored citizens over foreigners and the wealthy over the poor. Israel's law reflects God's character—He 'is no respecter of persons' (Acts 10:34) and defends the vulnerable. The New Testament applies these principles to church leadership and conflict resolution (1 Timothy 5:21; James 2:1-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle that 'judgment is God's' shape your approach to making decisions and resolving conflicts?
- In what areas of life are you tempted to 'respect persons' rather than act with impartial justice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses' charge to the judges establishes principles of righteous judgment: hear cases impartially ('between every man and his brother'), extend justice to foreigners ('the stranger'), avoid partiality regardless of social status ('not respect persons'), and fear God alone. The command 'ye shall not be afraid of the face of man' addresses the temptation to pervert justice due to intimidation or favoritism. 'The judgment is God's' means judges act as God's representatives, accountable ultimately to Him. Hard cases were to be brought to Moses, acknowledging the limitations of human wisdom.