Deuteronomy 17:5
Then 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֽוֹצֵאתָ֣
Then shalt thou bring forth
H3318
וְהֽוֹצֵאתָ֣
Then shalt thou bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 24
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאִ֕ישׁ
even that man
H376
הָאִ֕ישׁ
even that man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 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)
הַה֡וּא
H1931
הַה֡וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 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
אוֹ֩
H176
אוֹ֩
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
5 of 24
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַהִ֜וא
H1931
הַהִ֜וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 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
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָ֠שׂוּ
which have committed
H6213
עָ֠שׂוּ
which have committed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַדָּבָ֨ר
thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֨ר
thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאִ֕ישׁ
even that man
H376
הָאִ֕ישׁ
even that man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
18 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)
א֖וֹ
H176
א֖וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
19 of 24
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּסְקַלְתָּ֥ם
and shalt stone
H5619
וּסְקַלְתָּ֥ם
and shalt stone
Strong's:
H5619
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
Cross References
Leviticus 24:14Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.Joshua 7:25And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.Leviticus 24:16And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.
Historical Context
Stoning served multiple purposes:
- communal participation in covenant enforcement
- no single executioner bore sole responsibility
- public deterrent.
Archaeological evidence suggests execution sites outside city gates. Jesus confronted hypocritical application of this law (John 8:3-11)—authorities eager to stone the adulteress but ignoring their own sin. New Covenant relocates 'putting to death' from physical to spiritual realm (Colossians 3:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage inform the seriousness with which God views idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness?
- How should the church 'purge evil from among you' today without becoming pharisaical or abusive?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Bring forth that man or that woman—gender equality in covenant accountability. Unto thy gates (אֶל־שְׁעָרֶיךָ, el-she'arekha)—the city gate, where judicial proceedings occurred (Ruth 4:1; Deuteronomy 21:19). Public execution at the community center emphasized covenant solidarity.
Stone them with stones, till they die (סָקַל אֲבָנִים, sakal avanim). Stoning wasn't torture but communal execution—the whole community enforcing covenant loyalty. Verse 7 specifies witnesses cast first stones, ensuring accountability. This severity underscores idolatry's capital seriousness—spiritual cancer requiring surgical removal. Paul applies this principle to church discipline: 'purge the evil from among you' (1 Corinthians 5:13, citing this passage).