Deuteronomy 17:19

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Original Language Analysis

וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה H1961
וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עִמּ֔וֹ H5973
עִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 2 of 23
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְקָ֥רָא And it shall be with him and he shall read H7121
וְקָ֥רָא And it shall be with him and he shall read
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 3 of 23
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
ב֖וֹ H0
ב֖וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 23
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֣י therein all the days H3117
יְמֵ֣י therein all the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 6 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
חַיָּ֑יו of his life H2416
חַיָּ֑יו of his life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 7 of 23
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
לְמַ֣עַן H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 8 of 23
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
יִלְמַ֗ד that he may learn H3925
יִלְמַ֗ד that he may learn
Strong's: H3925
Word #: 9 of 23
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לְיִרְאָה֙ to fear H3372
לְיִרְאָה֙ to fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 10 of 23
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהָ֔יו his God H430
אֱלֹהָ֔יו his God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 13 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
לִ֠שְׁמֹר to keep H8104
לִ֠שְׁמֹר to keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 14 of 23
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶֽת H853
אֶֽת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵ֞י all the words H1697
דִּבְרֵ֞י all the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 17 of 23
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה of this law H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה of this law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 18 of 23
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
הַזֹּ֛את H2063
הַזֹּ֛את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 19 of 23
this (often used adverb)
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 20 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַֽחֻקִּ֥ים and these statutes H2706
הַֽחֻקִּ֥ים and these statutes
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 21 of 23
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
הָאֵ֖לֶּה H428
הָאֵ֖לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 22 of 23
these or those
לַֽעֲשֹׂתָֽם׃ to do H6213
לַֽעֲשֹׂתָֽם׃ to do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 23 of 23
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis & Commentary

And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life—Israel's king must personally own a Torah copy (written by his own hand from the priests' master copy, v. 18), keep it with him continually, and read therein daily. Unlike ancient Near Eastern monarchs who claimed divine status, Israel's king submitted to written revelation. The law governed him; he didn't transcend it.

That he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law—Reading produces fear (יָרֵא, yare, reverent awe), which produces obedience. Psalm 1 echoes this: Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night (Psalm 1:1-2). Jesus, the ultimate King, declared: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Daily Scripture saturation is non-negotiable for leaders.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings (Egyptian pharaohs, Mesopotamian rulers) claimed semi-divine status, accountable to no written code. Israel's requirement that kings copy, carry, and read Torah daily was revolutionary—even the highest human authority submitted to God's written Word.

Questions for Reflection

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