Deuteronomy Chapter 17 · Verse 8

Authorized King James Version

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If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִפָּלֵא֩ too hard H6381
יִפָּלֵא֩ too hard
Strong's: H6381
Word #: 2 of 26
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
מִמְּךָ֙ H4480
מִמְּךָ֙
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
דִּבְרֵ֥י If there arise a matter H1697
דִּבְרֵ֥י If there arise a matter
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 4 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט for thee in judgment H4941
לַמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט for thee in judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 5 of 26
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
בֵּֽין H996
בֵּֽין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 6 of 26
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
לְדָ֜ם and blood H1818
לְדָ֜ם and blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 7 of 26
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
לְדָ֜ם and blood H1818
לְדָ֜ם and blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 8 of 26
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
בֵּֽין H996
בֵּֽין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 9 of 26
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
לְדִ֗ין and plea H1779
לְדִ֗ין and plea
Strong's: H1779
Word #: 10 of 26
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
לְדִ֗ין and plea H1779
לְדִ֗ין and plea
Strong's: H1779
Word #: 11 of 26
judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife
וּבֵ֥ין H996
וּבֵ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 12 of 26
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
לָנֶ֔גַע and between stroke H5061
לָנֶ֔גַע and between stroke
Strong's: H5061
Word #: 13 of 26
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
לָנֶ֔גַע and between stroke H5061
לָנֶ֔גַע and between stroke
Strong's: H5061
Word #: 14 of 26
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
דִּבְרֵ֥י If there arise a matter H1697
דִּבְרֵ֥י If there arise a matter
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 15 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
רִיבֹ֖ת of controversy H7379
רִיבֹ֖ת of controversy
Strong's: H7379
Word #: 16 of 26
a contest (personal or legal)
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ within thy gates H8179
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ within thy gates
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 17 of 26
an opening, i.e., door or gate
וְקַמְתָּ֣ then shalt thou arise H6965
וְקַמְתָּ֣ then shalt thou arise
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 18 of 26
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וְעָלִ֔יתָ and get thee up H5927
וְעָלִ֔יתָ and get thee up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 19 of 26
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 20 of 26
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַמָּק֔וֹם into the place H4725
הַמָּק֔וֹם into the place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 21 of 26
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 22 of 26
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 #: 23 of 26
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה which the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 24 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 25 of 26
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
בּֽוֹ׃ H0
בּֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 26 of 26

Analysis & Commentary

A matter too hard for thee in judgment (יִפָּלֵא מִמְּךָ, yippalei mimkha)—'too difficult/extraordinary for you'—acknowledges limits of local judicial competence. Three categories: between blood and blood (capital vs. non-capital homicide? Different types of bloodguilt?), between plea and plea (דִּין לָדִין, din ladin—competing legal claims), between stroke and stroke (נֶגַע לָנֶגַע, nega lanega—distinguishing types of assault or injury).

Matters of controversy within thy gates—cases local judges can't resolve require appeal. Get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose—the central sanctuary (Jerusalem post-Davidic). Centralized appeals court ensures legal consistency and theological orthodoxy.

Historical Context

Ancient Israel had tiered judicial system: elders at city gates (local cases), then central sanctuary for difficult appeals. Jehoshaphat institutionalized this (2 Chronicles 19:8-11). This prefigured later rabbinic courts (Beth Din) and ultimately secular appellate systems. Moses established this precedent via Jethro's advice (Exodus 18:13-26). The principle: difficult cases require specialized expertise.

Questions for Reflection