Deuteronomy 17:8 “If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy w…”

Deuteronomy 17:8

If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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;

World English Bible

If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within your gates, then you shall arise, and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses.

American Standard 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 unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose;

Geneva Bible 1599

If there rise a matter too harde for thee in iudgement betweene blood and blood, betweene plea and plea, betweene plague and plague, in the matters of controuersie within thy gates, then shalt thou arise, and goe vp vnto the place which the Lord thy God shall chuse,

Darby Translation

If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between cause and cause, and between stroke and stroke, matters of controversy within thy gates, then shalt thou arise, and go up to the place which Jehovah thy God will choose.

Young's Literal Translation

'When anything is too hard for thee for judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke — matters of strife within thy gates — then thou hast risen, and gone up unto the place on which Jehovah thy God doth fix,

Bible in Basic English

If you are not able to give a decision as to who is responsible for a death, or who is right in a cause, or who gave the first blow in a fight, and there is a division of opinion about it in your town: then go to the place marked out by the Lord your God;

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Cross references

“arise”

Haggai 2:11 Deuteronomy 1:17 Exodus 18:26 1 Kings 3:16–28 2 Chronicles 19:8–10 Malachi 2:7

Haggai 2:11 · BSB

“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling.

Deuteronomy 1:17 · BSB

Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

Exodus 18:26 · BSB

And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

1 Kings 3:16–28 · BSB

At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.

2 Chronicles 19:8–10 · BSB

Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.

Malachi 2:7 · BSB

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

“between blood”

Deuteronomy 19:4 Exodus 21:12–14 Exodus 21:20 Exodus 21:22 Exodus 21:28 Exodus 22:2

Deuteronomy 19:4 · BSB

Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him:

Exodus 21:12–14 · BSB

Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.

Exodus 21:20 · BSB

If a man strikes his manservant or maidservant with a rod, and the servant dies by his hand, he shall surely be punished.

Exodus 21:22 · BSB

If men who are fighting strike a pregnant woman and her child is born prematurely, but there is no further injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband demands and as the court allows.

Exodus 21:28 · BSB

If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must surely be stoned, and its meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the ox shall not be held responsible.

Exodus 22:2 · BSB

If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.

“get thee up”

Deuteronomy 12:5 Deuteronomy 19:17 Psalm 122:4 Psalm 122:5

Deuteronomy 12:5 · BSB

Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.

Deuteronomy 19:17 · BSB

both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.

Psalm 122:4 · BSB

where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

Psalm 122:5 · BSB

For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

7The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.

9You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.

Read Deuteronomy 17