Deuteronomy 17:2
If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִמָּצֵ֤א
If there be found
H4672
יִמָּצֵ֤א
If there be found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
בְקִרְבְּךָ֙
among
H7130
בְקִרְבְּךָ֙
among
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
בְּאַחַ֣ד
you within any
H259
בְּאַחַ֣ד
you within any
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָֽה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 22
(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 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
נֹתֵ֣ן
giveth
H5414
נֹתֵ֣ן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אִ֣ישׁ
thee man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
thee 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)
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
12 of 22
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֧ה
that hath wrought
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֧ה
that hath wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֥י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
18 of 22
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָֽה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
19 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
20 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
Cross References
Hosea 8:1Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.Judges 2:20And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;Deuteronomy 17:5Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.Joshua 7:15And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.Joshua 7:11Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.Joshua 23:16When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.Hosea 6:7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.2 Kings 18:12Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.
Historical Context
Covenant (berit) in ancient Near Eastern context meant a binding treaty with curses for violation. Deuteronomy 27-28 lists blessings and curses. Israel at Sinai swore allegiance to Yahweh alone (Exodus 20:3-5). Idolatry thus constituted political rebellion, not merely 'religious pluralism.' The death penalty for apostasy maintained covenant integrity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding idolatry as covenant treason (not mere 'personal choice') change how you view spiritual compromise?
- What modern idols—money, success, approval—compete with exclusive allegiance to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Conditional case law: If there be found among you—the community must actively investigate covenant violations. Within any of thy gates (שְׁעָרֶיךָ, she'arekha) means 'your cities'—local jurisdiction, not distant rumors. Apostasy isn't private sin; it's public covenant-breaking.
Wrought wickedness (עָשָׂה אֶת־הָרָע, asah et-hara)—'done the evil'—in God's sight, not merely human opinion. Transgressing his covenant (עָבַר אֶת־בְּרִיתוֹ, avar et-berito)—literally 'crossing over' or violating the binding treaty. Idolatry wasn't theological preference; it was treason against the suzerain King who redeemed Israel from Egypt.