17:1 that has a physical defect of anything seriously wrong See note on 15:21.

17:2 transgress his covenant In this context, refers to idolatry, breaking the single most important requirement of the covenant (see note on 6:4).

17:3 sun or to the moon People in the ancient Near East considered the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial phenomena to be divine beings (see 32:8–9; 1 Kgs 22:19). The worship of these things violated the first and greatest commandment (see Exod 20:3; Deut 5:7–9; 6:4–5). Breaking this commandment was of the utmost seriousness. The law frequently links loyalty to Yahweh to Israel’s continued life and presence within the promised land (see 4:26–28, 40; 5:30–33; 6:16–19; 7:12; 8:1; compare Lev 26). See Deut 4:19–20.

17:4 you enquire about it thoroughly Refers to gathering witnesses in a trial setting (see v. 6). See 13:14; 19:18.

detestable thing Something abhorrent to Yahweh (and, by extension, those loyal to Yahweh).

17:5 to your gates A city gate in the ancient Near East usually consisted of a towered entrance and a large open area where people gathered. It functioned similarly to a civic or community center, and the citizens often did business there. Death sentences were likely put into effect outside the city gates (see Lev 24:14; Num 15:25–36; 1 Kgs 21:13; compare Deut 22:21).

17:6 On the evidence of two or three witnesses Having multiple witnesses safeguarded against dishonesty or errors in witness testimony. Compare 19:15.

17:7 to kill the person See 13:9. If the witnesses are not being truthful, they are committing murder—itself a capital offense.

17:8 a matter These hypothetical examples demonstrate the need for a higher court of appeal for complex legal problems.

blood and blood Refers to a problem determining the guilty party or whether there was intent to kill.

legal claim and legal claim Or, difficult cases of criminal or civil law (e.g., see Exod 22:6–14).

assault and assault Cases involving physical injury (see Exod 21:22–26; Lev 24:19–20).

place that Yahweh your God will choose Refers to the central sanctuary. See Deut 12:5.

17:9 priests and the Levites and to the judge The text does not provide specifics about such a court’s operations or its members.

Functions of Priests Table

17:12 you shall purge the evil from Israel The law here makes no exception for a case that did not originally involve a capital crime. A person who disobeys the nation’s judicial authority threatens the social order; thus, the law deals with them in the severest terms. The same rationale underlies the case of the insubordinate son (see 21:18–21).

17:13 they will not behave presumptuously again The severity of the penalty is to serve as a deterrent.

17:14 like all the nations that are around me See 1 Sam 8:5, 19–20. The monarchies of surrounding nations did not place these sorts of restrictions on their kings.

17:15 you are not allowed to appoint over you a man, a foreigner No specific reason is given for this restriction, but it likely stems from the greatest commandment (Deut 6:4–5). People in the ancient Near East were linked to their land, which was in turn linked to their gods (32:8–9).

17:16 he may not make numerous for himself horses If the king were to form a large cavalry, such an asset would indicate he relies on self-sufficiency instead of Yahweh for the nation’s protection (compare Isa 31:1; Hos 14:3; Psa 33:16–17; Prov 21:31).

you may never return God promises on several occasions that Israel will never return again to bondage (see Exod 14:13). It seems that earlier promise appears as a command in this context.

17:17 he must not acquire many wives Later Israelite history shows that large harems, especially involving foreign wives, led people to tolerate or even embrace the worship of foreign gods. The practice of royal marriages for political alliance was very common in the ancient Near East (see 1 Kgs 3:1), but for an Israelite such a practice could (and did) lead to idolatry (see 1 Kgs 11:1–10; 16:31–33).

silver and gold for himself excessively Acquired wealth is a seduction to self-reliance.