King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:17 in the King James Version says “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of th... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. respect: Heb. acknowledge faces

Deuteronomy 1:17 · KJV


Context

15

So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. made: Heb. gave

16

And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.

17

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. respect: Heb. acknowledge faces

18

And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.

19

And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' charge to the judges establishes principles of righteous judgment: hear cases impartially ('between every man and his brother'), extend justice to foreigners ('the stranger'), avoid partiality regardless of social status ('not respect persons'), and fear God alone. The command 'ye shall not be afraid of the face of man' addresses the temptation to pervert justice due to intimidation or favoritism. 'The judgment is God's' means judges act as God's representatives, accountable ultimately to Him. Hard cases were to be brought to Moses, acknowledging the limitations of human wisdom.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This judicial code predates similar principles in other ancient Near Eastern law codes by emphasizing impartiality toward strangers and the poor. Most ancient legal systems favored citizens over foreigners and the wealthy over the poor. Israel's law reflects God's character—He 'is no respecter of persons' (Acts 10:34) and defends the vulnerable. The New Testament applies these principles to church leadership and conflict resolution (1 Timothy 5:21; James 2:1-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle that 'judgment is God's' shape your approach to making decisions and resolving conflicts?
  2. In what areas of life are you tempted to 'respect persons' rather than act with impartial justice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לֹֽא1 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַכִּ֨ירוּ2 of 22

Ye shall not respect

H5234

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere, or (

מִפְּנֵי3 of 22

of the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט4 of 22

for the judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

כַּקָּטֹ֤ן5 of 22

the small

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

כַּגָּדֹל֙6 of 22

as well as the great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו׃7 of 22

but ye shall hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

לֹ֤א8 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תָג֙וּרוּ֙9 of 22

ye shall not be afraid

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

מִפְּנֵי10 of 22

of the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אִ֔ישׁ11 of 22

of man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כִּ֥י12 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט13 of 22

for the judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

לֵֽאלֹהִ֣ים14 of 22

is God's

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

ה֑וּא15 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְהַדָּבָר֙16 of 22

and the cause

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִקְשֶׁ֣ה18 of 22

that is too hard

H7185

properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)

מִכֶּ֔ם19 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

תַּקְרִב֥וּן20 of 22

for you bring

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֵלַ֖י21 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו׃22 of 22

but ye shall hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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