King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 17:12 Mean?

Deuteronomy 17:12 in the King James Version says “And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. and will: Heb. not to hearken

Deuteronomy 17:12 · KJV


Context

10

And thou shalt do according to the sentence , which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:

11

According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.

12

And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. and will: Heb. not to hearken

13

And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.

14

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the man that will do presumptuously (הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂה בְזָדוֹן, ha'ish asher ya'aseh bezadon)—zadon means deliberate rebellion, arrogant defiance of constituted authority, not mere error. This is contempt of court in its most serious form: rejecting the priestly-judicial verdict rendered at the central sanctuary.

Will not hearken unto the priest who ministers before the LORD establishes the gravity of defying the theocratic judicial system. Refusing the priest's legal decision (based on Torah) or the judge's ruling was tantamount to rebelling against God Himself, since they represented divine authority. The death penalty demonstrates that maintaining judicial integrity and respect for God's appointed authorities was essential to Israel's covenant community. Hebrews 10:28 later applies this principle: despising Moses' law brought death; how much more serious is spurning Christ?

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse concludes the section on establishing a supreme court at the central sanctuary (Deuteronomy 17:8-13). In ancient Israel's theocracy, legal authority derived from God through His appointed representatives. The priest and judge formed a dual authority structure—priestly expertise in sacred law and judicial wisdom in civil matters. Archaeological evidence from ancient Near Eastern cultures shows that contempt of court was treated seriously, but Israel's system was unique in grounding judicial authority in covenant relationship with Yahweh. This provision prevented legal chaos and ensured that difficult cases received authoritative resolution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's establishment of authoritative judicial structures reflect His character as a God of order and justice?
  2. What is the relationship between submitting to legitimate human authority and submitting to God's authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
הָאִ֣ישׁ1 of 23

And the 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)

אֲשֶׁר2 of 23
H834

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

יַֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה3 of 23

that will do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְזָד֗וֹן4 of 23

presumptuously

H2087

arrogance

לְבִלְתִּ֨י5 of 23
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שְׁמֹ֤עַ6 of 23

and will not hearken

H8085

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

אֶל7 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵן֙8 of 23

unto the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הָֽעֹמֵ֞ד9 of 23

that standeth

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְשָׁ֤רֶת10 of 23

to minister

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

שָׁם֙11 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶת12 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 23

there before the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ14 of 23

thy God

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

א֖וֹ15 of 23
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֶל16 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַשֹּׁפֵ֑ט17 of 23

or unto the judge

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וּמֵת֙18 of 23

shall die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

הָאִ֣ישׁ19 of 23

And the 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)

הַה֔וּא20 of 23
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

וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥21 of 23

and thou shalt put away

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הָרָ֖ע22 of 23

the evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃23 of 23

from Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 17:12 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 17:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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