Deuteronomy 17:8

If there's a case before your town court that is too problematic for you to settle, whether the argument is over murder or manslaughter, one legal decision against another, or different degrees of assault, you must take the issue to the place the Lord your God will choose.

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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;

In Context

7The witnesses must act first in executing the person, and then the rest of those who are present. You must eliminate the evil from among you.

9Go to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge in charge. Present the case to them, and they will give you their decision.

Read all of Deuteronomy 17

Cross References

Exodus 18:26They acted as judges for the people on a continuing basis. They brought the difficult cases to Moses, but they would judge the small matters themselves.

Exodus 21:20Anyone who hits their male or female slave with a rod, and the slave dies as a result, must be punished.

Exodus 21:28If an ox uses its horns to kill a man or woman, the ox must be stoned to death, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox won't be punished.

Numbers 35:11choose towns as your sanctuary towns, so a person who kills someone by mistake may run there.

Numbers 35:19The avenger is to execute the murderer. When he finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

Deuteronomy 12:5No, you must go to the place the Lord your God will choose from the territory of all your tribes where he will live with you. That's where you must go.

Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 17:2-8

The Punishment of Idolatry. ( b. c. 1451.) 1 Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the Lord thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the Lord thy God. 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, 3 And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of… Read the whole commentary →

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