Deuteronomy 17:12
And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
Original Language Analysis
הָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 23
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)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
that will do
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
that will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְבִלְתִּ֨י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֨י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
שְׁמֹ֤עַ
and will not hearken
H8085
שְׁמֹ֤עַ
and will not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַכֹּהֵן֙
unto the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵן֙
unto the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הָֽעֹמֵ֞ד
that standeth
H5975
הָֽעֹמֵ֞ד
that standeth
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
9 of 23
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְשָׁ֤רֶת
to minister
H8334
לְשָׁ֤רֶת
to minister
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
10 of 23
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
שָׁם֙
H8033
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
there before the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
there before the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 of 23
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
א֖וֹ
H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
15 of 23
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
הַשֹּׁפֵ֑ט
or unto the judge
H8199
הַשֹּׁפֵ֑ט
or unto the judge
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
17 of 23
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
וּמֵת֙
shall die
H4191
וּמֵת֙
shall die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
18 of 23
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
הָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
H376
הָאִ֣ישׁ
And the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
19 of 23
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)
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
20 of 23
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
Cross References
Deuteronomy 13:5And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.Numbers 15:30But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.1 Timothy 5:20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Deuteronomy 18:7Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.Deuteronomy 10:8At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.Deuteronomy 18:5For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.Deuteronomy 17:7The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.Hosea 4:4Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.Ezra 10:8And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
Historical Context
This verse concludes the section on establishing a supreme court at the central sanctuary (Deuteronomy 17:8-13). In ancient Israel's theocracy, legal authority derived from God through His appointed representatives. The priest and judge formed a dual authority structure—priestly expertise in sacred law and judicial wisdom in civil matters. Archaeological evidence from ancient Near Eastern cultures shows that contempt of court was treated seriously, but Israel's system was unique in grounding judicial authority in covenant relationship with Yahweh. This provision prevented legal chaos and ensured that difficult cases received authoritative resolution.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's establishment of authoritative judicial structures reflect His character as a God of order and justice?
- What is the relationship between submitting to legitimate human authority and submitting to God's authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the man that will do presumptuously (הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה בְזָדוֹן, ha'ish asher ya'aseh bezadon)—zadon means deliberate rebellion, arrogant defiance of constituted authority, not mere error. This is contempt of court in its most serious form: rejecting the priestly-judicial verdict rendered at the central sanctuary.
Will not hearken unto the priest who ministers before the LORD establishes the gravity of defying the theocratic judicial system. Refusing the priest's legal decision (based on Torah) or the judge's ruling was tantamount to rebelling against God Himself, since they represented divine authority. The death penalty demonstrates that maintaining judicial integrity and respect for God's appointed authorities was essential to Israel's covenant community. Hebrews 10:28 later applies this principle: despising Moses' law brought death; how much more serious is spurning Christ?