Deuteronomy Chapter 17 · Verse 18

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְשִׁבְתּ֔וֹ And it shall be when he sitteth H3427
כְשִׁבְתּ֔וֹ And it shall be when he sitteth
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 2 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֣א upon the throne H3678
כִּסֵּ֣א upon the throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
מַמְלַכְתּ֑וֹ of his kingdom H4467
מַמְלַכְתּ֑וֹ of his kingdom
Strong's: H4467
Word #: 5 of 16
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
וְכָ֨תַב that he shall write H3789
וְכָ֨תַב that he shall write
Strong's: H3789
Word #: 6 of 16
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
ל֜וֹ H0
ל֜וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 16
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁנֵ֨ה him a copy H4932
מִשְׁנֵ֨ה him a copy
Strong's: H4932
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
הַתּוֹרָ֤ה of this law H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֤ה of this law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 10 of 16
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
הַזֹּאת֙ H2063
הַזֹּאת֙
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 11 of 16
this (often used adverb)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
סֵ֔פֶר in a book H5612
סֵ֔פֶר in a book
Strong's: H5612
Word #: 13 of 16
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
מִלִּפְנֵ֥י out of that which is before H6440
מִלִּפְנֵ֥י out of that which is before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 14 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֥ים the priests H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֥ים the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 15 of 16
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ the Levites H3881
הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ the Levites
Strong's: H3881
Word #: 16 of 16
a levite or descendant of levi

Analysis & Commentary

God commands the future king: 'And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites.' The king must personally copy the Torah—not merely possess a copy but write it himself. This labor-intensive process ensures intimate familiarity with God's law. The king isn't above the law but under it, accountable to divine standards. The purpose (verse 19) is that he 'may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.'

Historical Context

No biblical text records a king actually doing this, though Josiah's reformation (2 Kings 22-23) came closest when the rediscovered law book prompted covenant renewal. Most Israelite kings ignored or violated God's law—accumulating wealth (Solomon), multiplying wives (Solomon, Rehoboam), seeking security in military power (various kings), and promoting idolatry (numerous wicked kings). The New Testament reveals Christ as the true King who perfectly embodied and fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), ruling with justice and righteousness.

Questions for Reflection