What does Deuteronomy 17:2 mean?
"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," - Deuteronomy 17:2
Deuteronomy 17:2 (KJV) states: "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."
This verse comes from the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, and it is part of Moses's final instructions to the Israelites before they entered the promised land. In this verse, Moses is outlining the procedure for dealing with those who have committed wickedness and transgressed the covenant with God.
The verse begins by addressing the community as a whole, stating, "If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee." This indicates that the issue of wickedness and transgression is not to be ignored or overlooked but must be dealt with openly and decisively. It is a reminder that in a community that follows God's commands, there is no room for wickedness or transgression.
The verse then specifies that the wickedness is in the sight of the Lord thy God, implying that all actions are known to God and must be judged according to His standards. This serves as a warning to the people that they cannot hide their wrongdoings from God, and they will be held accountable for their actions.
The mention of transgressing the covenant further emphasizes the gravity of the offense. The covenant between God and the Israelites is a sacred agreement, and any violation of it is seen as a direct defiance of God's authority and will. This reinforces the idea that the consequences for such actions must be severe and just.
This verse also carries strong themes of justice and accountability. It underscores the importance of maintaining a righteous community by addressing and resolving instances of wickedness. It emphasizes the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions and face the consequences.
In its broader context, this verse is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey to the promised land and their establishment as a nation. It serves as a guide for the community to uphold the principles and values of their faith. It stresses the importance of maintaining a righteous and just society, under the guidance and authority of God.
Symbolically, this verse represents the moral and ethical standards that the Israelites were expected to uphold as the chosen people of God. It symbolizes the purity and holiness that God demands from His followers and the necessity of maintaining that purity within the community.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 17:2 from the King James Version of the Bible carries a message of accountability, justice, and the importance of upholding God's covenant. It serves as a reminder of the standards that the Israelites were expected to adhere to and the consequences for failing to do so. It also holds relevance for believers today, emphasizing the importance of living in accordance with God's will and addressing wickedness within the community.
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Deuteronomy 17:2 - "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,"
"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," - Deuteronomy 17:2
Deuteronomy 2:17 - "That the LORD spake unto me, saying,"
"That the LORD spake unto me, saying," - Deuteronomy 2:17
Deuteronomy 5:17 - "Thou shalt not kill."
Deuteronomy 14:17 - "And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,"
Deuteronomy 28:17 - "Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store."
"Thou shalt not kill." - Deuteronomy 5:17
Deuteronomy 23:17 - "¶ There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."
Deuteronomy 17:13 - "And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously."
Deuteronomy 17:17 - "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold."
Deuteronomy 4:17 - "The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,"
"And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant," - Deuteronomy 14:17
Deuteronomy 18:17 - "And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken."
Deuteronomy 27:17 - "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 24:17 - "¶ Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:"
Deuteronomy 8:17 - "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth."
Deuteronomy 29:17 - "And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)"
Deuteronomy 2:2 - "And the LORD spake unto me, saying,"
Deuteronomy 25:17 - "¶ Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;"
Deuteronomy 7:17 - "If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?"
Deuteronomy 17:4 - "And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:"
"Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store." - Deuteronomy 28:17
Deuteronomy 9:17 - "And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes."
Deuteronomy 30:17 - "But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;"
Deuteronomy 19:17 - "Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;"
Deuteronomy 32:17 - "They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not."
Deuteronomy 16:17 - "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."
Deuteronomy 17:3 - "And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;"
Deuteronomy 10:17 - "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:"