King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 17:14 Mean?

Deuteronomy 17:14 in the King James Version says “When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Deuteronomy 17:14 · KJV

Context

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;

15

Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

16

But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Read Deuteronomy 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses prophetically addresses Israel's future desire for a king: '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.' God anticipates Israel's request (fulfilled in 1 Samuel 8) and provides regulations for kingship. The phrase 'like all the nations' reveals the fundamental problem—Israel wants to conform rather than remain distinct. God permits monarchy but regulates it to prevent tyranny and ensure the king remains under divine law.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel requested a king during Samuel's judgeship (1 Samuel 8:5), explicitly wanting to be 'like all the nations.' God granted the request but warned of kingship's dangers (1 Samuel 8:10-18). Saul's failure and David's qualified success demonstrated monarchy's complexities. The regulations in Deuteronomy 17:15-20—king must be chosen by God, must not accumulate horses/wives/wealth, must copy and study the law—aimed to prevent absolute monarchy. Israel's kings often violated these commands, contributing to national decline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the desire to be 'like all the nations' reflect a failure to embrace distinctive calling?
  2. What does God's regulation of kingship teach about His sovereignty over human governments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּֽי1 of 20
H3588

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

תָבֹ֣א2 of 20

“When thou art come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֗רֶץ4 of 20

“unto the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר5 of 20
H834

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

יְהוָ֤ה6 of 20

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙7 of 20

“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

נֹתֵ֣ן8 of 20

“giveth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָ֔ךְ9 of 20
H0
וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֖הּ10 of 20

“thee and shalt possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

וְיָשַׁ֣בְתָּה11 of 20

“it and shalt dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָּ֑הּ12 of 20
H0
וְאָֽמַרְתָּ֗13 of 20

“therein and shalt say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אָשִׂ֤ימָה14 of 20

“I will set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עָלַי֙15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מֶ֔לֶךְ16 of 20

“a king”

H4428

a king

כְּכָל17 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם18 of 20

“over me like as all the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 20
H834

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

סְבִֽיבֹתָֽי׃20 of 20

“that are about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

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 17:14 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 17:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 8:19-201 Samuel 12:19Joshua 1:13Deuteronomy 12:9-10Deuteronomy 7:1Deuteronomy 18:9

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