Deuteronomy 17:15

Authorized King James Version

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Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

Original Language Analysis

תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise H7760
תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 1 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise H7760
תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 2 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶ֔לֶךְ him king H4428
מֶ֔לֶךְ him king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 4 of 24
a king
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִבְחַ֛ר shall choose H977
יִבְחַ֛ר shall choose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 6 of 24
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֥ה over thee whom the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה over thee whom the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 24
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
בּ֑וֹ H0
בּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 24
מִקֶּ֣רֶב one from among H7130
מִקֶּ֣רֶב one from among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 10 of 24
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
אָחִ֖יךָ over thee which is not thy brother H251
אָחִ֖יךָ over thee which is not thy brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 11 of 24
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise H7760
תָּשִׂ֤ים Thou shalt in any wise
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 12 of 24
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶ֔לֶךְ him king H4428
מֶ֔לֶךְ him king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 14 of 24
a king
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוּכַ֗ל over thee thou mayest H3201
תוּכַ֗ל over thee thou mayest
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 16 of 24
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לָתֵ֤ת not set H5414
לָתֵ֤ת not set
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 17 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 18 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אִ֣ישׁ H376
אִ֣ישׁ
Strong's: H376
Word #: 19 of 24
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)
נָכְרִ֔י a stranger H5237
נָכְרִ֔י a stranger
Strong's: H5237
Word #: 20 of 24
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 21 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 22 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָחִ֖יךָ over thee which is not thy brother H251
אָחִ֖יךָ over thee which is not thy brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 23 of 24
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הֽוּא׃ H1931
הֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 24 of 24
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

Analysis & Commentary

Future kingship: 'Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.' This permits but regulates monarchy—future anticipation (v.14-20). The king must be God's choice, not popular election alone. He must be Israelite ('thy brethren'), not foreigner. This prevents foreign dynastic control and ensures covenant commitment. The extensive restrictions (v.16-20) show kingship is servant leadership under divine authority, not autonomous rule. Israel's demand for a king 'like all the nations' (1 Samuel 8:5) violated the spirit of these restrictions, though Saul and David were covenant brothers.

Historical Context

Moses's prescient law anticipates monarchy instituted under Samuel (1 Samuel 8-12). The restrictions aim to prevent royal abuses common to ancient Near Eastern despots: military buildup (v.16), harem politics (v.17), wealth accumulation (v.17). Israel's kings often violated these: Solomon's horses from Egypt, extensive wives, accumulated wealth (1 Kings 10:14-11:8). The ideal king—studying and obeying Torah (v.18-20)—prefigures Christ, the ultimate Davidic king who perfectly fulfilled God's law and rules in righteousness. Earthly kingship points toward heavenly King.

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