King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 18:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 18:17 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.”

Deuteronomy 18:17 · KJV

Context

15

The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

16

According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

17

And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.

18

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

19

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

Read Deuteronomy 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken—God affirms Israel's request for prophetic mediation as wise and appropriate. The Hebrew hetiv (well) indicates approval; their recognition of need for a mediator demonstrated healthy fear of God and realistic assessment of their sinful condition. This divine affirmation establishes the principle of mediated revelation as God's normative pattern for relating to His people.

God's approval here is remarkable—He commends human awareness of limitation and need for intermediary relationship. This validates the prophetic office as divinely instituted, not human invention. It also establishes a pattern: God speaks through chosen messengers who bear His authoritative word. This principle extends through biblical history—prophets, apostles, and ultimately Christ, the final Prophet-Mediator. Rejecting God's appointed mediators is rejecting God Himself (Luke 10:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This divine response came at Sinai/Horeb following Israel's terror at God's direct manifestation. Moses recounts it in his farewell address (circa 1406 BC) to explain the prophetic office's divine authorization. Throughout Israel's history, God raised up prophets—Samuel, Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel—as His covenant prosecutors and spokesmen. The New Testament recognizes Jesus as the Prophet like Moses (Acts 3:22-23; 7:37), whose words carry ultimate divine authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's affirmation of human need for mediation shape your understanding of why Christ's mediation is necessary, not optional?
  2. What does divine approval of Israel's request teach about the proper attitude toward God—reverent fear rather than casual familiarity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 6

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 6

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלָ֑י3 of 6
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֵיטִ֖יבוּ4 of 6

“unto me They have well”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר5 of 6
H834

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

דִּבֵּֽרוּ׃6 of 6

“spoken that which they have spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

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 18:17 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 18:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 5:28

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