Keraia
Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:8

Courts of Law · Deuteronomy 17:8–13
Read Deuteronomy 17

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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;
Literal
If a matter is too hard for you to judge—between guilt for bloodshed, between one judgment or another judgment, or between one punishment or another punishment, matters of controversies within your gates—you shall arise and go up to the place that YHWH your God chooses.
Latin
Si difficile et ambiguum apud te judicium esse perspexeris inter sanguinem et sanguinem, causam et causam, lepram et lepram: et judicum intra portas tuas videris verba variari: surge, et ascende ad locum, quem elegerit Dominus Deus tuus.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 17:8

whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed: In the Old Testament, as in many legal systems today, murder was intentional, and manslaughter was accidental (compare 19:1–13).

Deuteronomy 16:18–17:13

The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction.

The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Courts and Trials Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Law of Moses Priests and Levites Samuel (Person)

Topics

Assault and Battery: Laws Concerning Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Court: Contempt of Court: Sentence of, Final and Obligatory Court: Superior, and Inferior Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decided on all Appeals and Difficult Cases Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held at the Seat of Government Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Pleading: General Scriptures Concerning Priest: (The Function he Served Was Superior to That of Other Priests): Judicial Priest: Duties of To Act As Magistrates Priests: Services of Judging in Cases of Controversy