Study notes
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.
Israel’s leaders had to be fair and do what was right. Leaders included judges and officials in the 12 tribes of Israel.
They also included Levites, priests, kings and prophets. The leaders had to obey God’s commandments. They had to help the people obey God as well.
They were never to lead the people to worship false gods. Nor were they to copy the ways the Canaanites worshipped their gods. The Israelites had to respect their leaders. They would show their respect by doing what the leaders told them to do. They also showed respect by sharing their offerings with the Levites and priests.
Moses mentioned a prophet who would be like him. Many prophets after Moses were faithful go-betweens for God and the Israelites. But many years later, people understood that this was a prophecy about Jesus. Jesus was the prophet that Moses had talked about.
defect or serious flaw: A sick or defective animal was worth very little money. Because of this, offering such an animal to the Lord was not a true sacrifice (compare 15:21).
The forces of heaven include visible things such as the sun, moon, and stars. They also include unseen beings such as angels.
Worshiping anything that God created is a clear violation of the second commandment (see 5:9).
your gates: A typical town in ancient Israel was small, 4 hectares (about 10 acres) or less, and crowded. Most towns had few open areas.
One open space was an area just inside or outside the main gate. People used this area for public gatherings, including trials and other judicial events.
In this passage, the place is clearly outside the town. Stoning to death did not happen inside the walls (22:24; 1 Kings 21:10; see Deuteronomy 22:21).
The rule for witnesses to throw the first stones prevented false accusations. Giving false testimony had serious consequences. Requiring a witness to lead an execution ensured his testimony was reliable. He would feel guilty if he killed an innocent person (see John 8:1–11).
The people would remove evil from among them by executing those whose sins brought guilt to the community of Israel (see “Purge the Evil” Theme Note; compare 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 and study note).
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).
priests and to the judge: Both kinds of leaders could decide cases. These cases could be about religious matters or about everyday civil matters.
Do not turn aside: This Hebrew phrase means staying on a straight path (see Proverbs 4:25–27; Hebrews 12:13). After giving a verdict, they must apply the sentence according to the law and evidence. They must follow a fair and righteous way that ensures justice.
purge the evil: The harmful effects of evil should not remain in the community. If they are allowed to continue, they will spread and damage others.
For this reason, evil had to be removed completely from among the people.
the king whom the LORD your God shall choose: Having a human king was not against God’s plan for Israel (compare 1 Samuel 8:6–7). God had promised Abraham and Sarah that their descendants would include kings (Genesis 17:6, 16; see also Genesis 35:11).
However, the misuse of kingship was condemned.
The Bible also teaches that the Messiah (God's chosen one) would have a kingly role (2 Samuel 7:11–15; Psalms 2; 110; Isaiah 9:6–7). This shows that God’s plan includes both human and divine royalty.
You are never to go back that way again: Going there would show that the king did not rely on God, who freed Israel from slavery in Egypt. The best horses came from Egypt (see 1 Kings 10:28–29).
many wives: Here God does not ban or support polygamy (having more than one wife). This principle intends to control and manage the practice.
In ancient times, kings married many wives to form political alliances with other kingdoms. This showed they relied on human power instead of God's provision.
Kings David and Solomon ignored this warning, causing great harm to themselves and the nation (2 Samuel 5:13; 12:11; 1 Kings 11:3–4).
must not accumulate: Gathering wealth was another indication that a king relied on human resources.
this instruction (Hebrew this torah): Here instruction refers to the book of Deuteronomy or possibly only this passage about having a king (monarchy) in Israel. For torah, see study note on 4:44.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources