BibleWord.ai› Bible› Deuteronomy› Chapter 17› Verse 4

Deuteronomy 17:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 17:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, then shalt thou inquire diligently; and, behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, then shalt thou inquire diligently; and, behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel,
Deuteronomy 17:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Thou shalt not sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God an ox, or a sheep, wherein is a blemish, [or] anything evil; for that is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.
2If there be found in the midst of thee, within any of thy gates which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that doeth that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah thy God, in transgressing his covenant,
3and hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;
4and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, then shalt thou inquire diligently; and, behold, if it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel,
5then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, who hath done this evil thing, unto thy gates, even the man or the woman; and thou shalt stone them to death with stones.
6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
7The hand of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee.
← Deuteronomy 17:3Deuteronomy 17:5 →
← Full Chapter 17 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, etc.] A report of this kind was not to be neglected; though it was not to be concluded upon as certain by hearsay, it was to be looked into, and the persons that brought it thoroughly examined; so the Targum of Jonathan, “and inquired the witnesses well,” what proof and evidence they could give of the fact, who the persons were, when and where, and in what manner the sin was committed: and, behold, [it be] true, [and] the thing certain; upon examining the witnesses the case is plain and out of all question: that such abomination is wrought in Israel; to do it in any country was abominable, but much more so in the land…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Deuteronomy 13:1 ff. Here special reference is made to the legal forms to be adopted, Deuteronomy 17:5-7. The sentence was to be carried into effect at “the gates” (compare Genesis 19:1 note) of the town in which the crime was committed; because, as “all the people” were to take a part, an open space would be requisite for the execution. Note the typical and prophetical aspect of the injunction; compare Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:4 Anything offensive to the Lord could be called a detestable thing (see 7:25; 12:31; 13:14).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“inquired: Deu 13:12-14, Deu 19:18; Pro 25:2; Joh 7:51 Deuteronomy 17:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 17 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification