King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 17:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 17:15 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt tho...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 17:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Read Deuteronomy 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Future kingship: '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.' This permits but regulates monarchy—future anticipation (v.14-20). The king must be God's choice, not popular election alone. He must be Israelite ('thy brethren'), not foreigner. This prevents foreign dynastic control and ensures covenant commitment. The extensive restrictions (v.16-20) show kingship is servant leadership under divine authority, not autonomous rule. Israel's demand for a king 'like all the nations' (1 Samuel 8:5) violated the spirit of these restrictions, though Saul and David were covenant brothers.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses's prescient law anticipates monarchy instituted under Samuel (1 Samuel 8-12). The restrictions aim to prevent royal abuses common to ancient Near Eastern despots: military buildup (v.16), harem politics (v.17), wealth accumulation (v.17). Israel's kings often violated these: Solomon's horses from Egypt, extensive wives, accumulated wealth (1 Kings 10:14-11:8). The ideal king—studying and obeying Torah (v.18-20)—prefigures Christ, the ultimate Davidic king who perfectly fulfilled God's law and rules in righteousness. Earthly kingship points toward heavenly King.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does requiring the king to be 'chosen by the LORD' check popular sovereignty and majority rule?
  2. What do restrictions on royal power teach about leadership as service under divine authority, not autonomous rule?
  3. How does the Deuteronomic king (Torah student, humble servant) contrast with ancient Near Eastern despots and modern authoritarian leaders?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
תָּשִׂ֤ים1 of 24

“Thou shalt in any wise”

H7760

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

תָּשִׂ֤ים2 of 24

“Thou shalt in any wise”

H7760

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

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙3 of 24
H5921

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

מֶ֔לֶךְ4 of 24

“him king”

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 24
H834

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

יִבְחַ֛ר6 of 24

“shall choose”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֥ה7 of 24

“over thee whom the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ8 of 24

“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

בּ֑וֹ9 of 24
H0
מִקֶּ֣רֶב10 of 24

“one from among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

אָחִ֖יךָ11 of 24

“over thee which is not thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

תָּשִׂ֤ים12 of 24

“Thou shalt in any wise”

H7760

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

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙13 of 24
H5921

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

מֶ֔לֶךְ14 of 24

“him king”

H4428

a king

לֹ֣א15 of 24
H3808

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

תוּכַ֗ל16 of 24

“over thee thou mayest”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לָתֵ֤ת17 of 24

“not set”

H5414

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

עָלֶ֙יךָ֙18 of 24
H5921

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

אִ֣ישׁ19 of 24
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)

נָכְרִ֔י20 of 24

“a stranger”

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 24
H834

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

לֹֽא22 of 24
H3808

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

אָחִ֖יךָ23 of 24

“over thee which is not thy brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הֽוּא׃24 of 24
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

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 17:15 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 17:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 30:211 Chronicles 22:101 Samuel 9:15-171 Chronicles 12:231 Samuel 10:241 Samuel 16:12-13

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 17 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 17 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes