Deuteronomy 17:7

Deuteronomy 17:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.

King James Version KJV

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

American Standard Version ASV

The hand of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. So thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The hands of the witnesses will be the first to put him to death, and after them the hands of all the people. So you are to put away the evil from among you.

Free Bible Version FBV

The witnesses must act first in executing the person, and then the rest of those who are present. You must eliminate the evil from among you.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The handes of the witnesses shall be first vpon him, to kill him: and afterward the hands of all the people: so thou shalt take the wicked away from among you.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

the hand of the witnesses is on him, in the first place, to put him to death, and the hand of all the people last; and thou hast put away the evil thing out of thy midst.

World English Bible WEB

The hands of the witnesses shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt remove the evil from among you.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to kill him, and afterwards the hands of the rest of the people: that thou mayst take away the evil out of the midst of thee.

Translation for Translators T4T

The ◄witnesses/ones who saw them doing it► must be the first ones to throw stones at them. Then the other people [MTY] should throw stones at them. By doing that, you will get rid of this evil practice among you.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 17:7

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 17:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB יַ֣ד הָ/עֵדִ֞ים תִּֽהְיֶה בּ֤/וֹ בָ/רִאשֹׁנָה֙ לַ/הֲמִית֔/וֹ וְ/יַ֥ד כָּל הָ/עָ֖ם בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֑ה וּ/בִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָ/רָ֖ע מִ/קִּרְבֶּֽ/ךָ

יַ֣ד yâd H3027 hand N-cs

הָ/עֵדִ֞ים ʻêd H5707 witness Art | N-mp

תִּֽהְיֶה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

בּ֤/וֹ Prep | Suff

בָ/רִאשֹׁנָה֙ riʼshôwn H7223 first Prep | Adj

לַ/הֲמִית֔/וֹ mûwth H4191 to die Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

וְ/יַ֥ד yâd H3027 hand Conj | N-cs

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

הָ/עָ֖ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֑ה ʼachărôwn H314 last Prep | Adj

וּ/בִֽעַרְתָּ֥ bâʻar H1197 to burn Conj | V-Piel-2ms

הָ/רָ֖ע raʻ H7451 bad Art | Adj

מִ/קִּרְבֶּֽ/ךָ qereb H7130 entrails Prep | N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 17:7

יַ֣ד yâd H3027 "hand" N-cs

In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.

Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.

הָ/עֵדִ֞ים ʻêd H5707 "witness" Art | N-mp

This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.

Definition: 1) witness 1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things) 1b) witness (of people)

Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: witness. See also: Genesis 31:44; Psalms 27:12; Psalms 35:11.

תִּֽהְיֶה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Imperf-3fs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

בּ֤/וֹ "" Prep | Suff

בָ/רִאשֹׁנָה֙ riʼshôwn H7223 "first" Prep | Adj

This word means 'first' or 'primary', referring to something that comes before others in time, place, or rank. It is used to describe the first or most important thing in a series or list.

Definition: : first adj 1) first, primary, former 1a) former (of time) 1a1) ancestors 1a2) former things 1b) foremost (of location) 1c) first (in time) 1d) first, chief (in degree) adv 2) first, before, formerly, at first

Usage: Occurs in 174 OT verses. KJV: ancestor, (that were) before(-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore(-father) (-most), former (thing), of old time, past. See also: Genesis 8:13; 1 Chronicles 27:3; Psalms 79:8.

לַ/הֲמִית֔/וֹ mûwth H4191 "to die" Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.

Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely

Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.

וְ/יַ֥ד yâd H3027 "hand" Conj | N-cs

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הָ/עָ֖ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

בָּ/אַחֲרֹנָ֑ה ʼachărôwn H314 "last" Prep | Adj

This Hebrew word means last or western, and can refer to something that is behind or following something else. It is used in the Bible to describe things that are late or last in time or location.

Definition: 1) behind, following, subsequent, western 1a) behind, hindermost, western (of location) 1b) later, subsequent, latter, last (of time)

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: after (-ward), to come, following, hind(-er, -ermost, -most), last, latter, rereward, ut(ter) most. See also: Genesis 33:2; 2 Chronicles 28:26; Psalms 48:14.

וּ/בִֽעַרְתָּ֥ bâʻar H1197 "to burn" Conj | V-Piel-2ms

To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.

Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn

Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.

הָ/רָ֖ע raʻ H7451 "bad" Art | Adj

Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.

Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions

Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.

מִ/קִּרְבֶּֽ/ךָ qereb H7130 "entrails" Prep | N-ms | Suff

This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.

Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)

Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 17:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 17:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 17:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 17:7
Sermons on Deuteronomy 17:7

Context — Purge the Idolater

5you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death. 6On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.

7The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.

8If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. 9You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 13:9	Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.
2	1 Corinthians 5:13	God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
3	Deuteronomy 17:12	But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.
4	Deuteronomy 13:5	Such a prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he has advocated rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way in which the LORD your God has commanded you to walk. So you must purge the evil from among you.
5	Deuteronomy 19:19	you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.
6	Judges 20:13	Hand over the wicked men of Gibeah so we can put them to death and purge Israel of this evil.” But the Benjamites refused to heed the voice of their fellow Israelites.
7	Acts 7:58–59	They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
8	Deuteronomy 24:7	If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you.

Deuteronomy 17:7 Summary

This verse is saying that when someone does something very wrong, like a serious crime, the people who saw them do it should be the first to help punish them, and then the rest of the community should join in. This is to help keep the community safe and pure, as God wants His people to be holy. It's like when we have to clean out the bad stuff from our lives, like in 2 Corinthians 7:1, so we can be the people God wants us to be. By working together, the community can help get rid of the evil and create a safer, more just place for everyone, as seen in Proverbs 11:10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the witnesses have to be the first to put the person to death in Deuteronomy 17:7?

This was to ensure the witnesses were certain of the person's guilt and to prevent false accusations, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:16-19, where a false witness would receive the punishment they had intended for the innocent person.

What is the purpose of purging the evil from among the people as mentioned in Deuteronomy 17:7?

The purpose is to maintain the moral and spiritual purity of the community, as God is holy and desires His people to be holy as well, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.

How does this verse relate to the concept of capital punishment in the Bible?

Deuteronomy 17:7 is part of a larger context that outlines the rules for capital punishment in Israel, emphasizing the importance of multiple witnesses and a fair trial, as seen in Numbers 35:30 and Deuteronomy 19:15.

What is the significance of the community's involvement in the execution as mentioned in Deuteronomy 17:7?

The community's involvement serves as a reminder that the sin affects not just the individual, but the entire community, and that the community has a responsibility to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen in Deuteronomy 21:21 and Romans 13:1-4.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can help to 'purge the evil' from my own life and community, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 17:7?
How can I balance the need for justice with the need for mercy and compassion, as seen in the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:38-42 and Luke 6:27-36?
In what ways can I be a witness for God in my daily life, and what responsibilities come with that role, as seen in Acts 1:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:6?
What are some 'evils' that I see in my community that need to be addressed, and how can I be part of the solution, as seen in Isaiah 1:17 and Micah 6:8?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 17:7

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death,.... Of everyone of them, as Aben Ezra; they were to cast the first stone at him, which would be a further trial and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 17:7

And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7

Shall be first upon him; either laid upon his head to design the person, or stretched out to throw the first stone at him. God thus ordered it, partly for the caution of witnesses, that if they had through malice or wrath accused him falsely, they might now be afraid to imbrue their hands in innocent blood; partly for the security and satisfaction of the people in the execution of this punishment. The hand of all the people, who, being all highly and particularly obliged to God, are bound to express their zeal for his honour and service, and their detestation of all persons and things so highly dishonourable and abominable to him.

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7

Deuteronomy 17:7 The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.Ver. 9. And unto the judge,] i.e., The council of judges, the Synedrion, consisting partly of priests and partly of civil magistrates. Amongst the Turks at this day their judges are ever ecclesiastical persons; whereby both orders joined, give reputation one to another and maintenance; for these places of judicature are the only preferment of the priesthood. Blunt’ s Voyage, p. 89.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:7

Deuteronomy 17:2-7. EVERY TO BE STONED.(2) If there be found . . . man or woman.—This section differs slightly from the third section of Deuteronomy 13. The penalty there is directed against the teachers of idolatry, whether prophets, private individuals, or communities in Israel. Here the penalty of death is enacted for every individual, man or woman, found guilty of worshipping any other god but Jehovah. We find traces of this law in the covenant made in the reign of Asa (2 Chronicles 15:13), “that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.(3) Either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven.—The oldest and simplest, and apparently most innocent form of idolatry. If this was punishable with death, obviously no grosser form of idolatry could be spared. The Book of Job, which knows no other idolatry, admits this to be a denial “of the God that is above” (Job 31:26-28). (6) He that is worthy of death.—Literally, he that dieth.(7) The hands of the witnesses . . . first.—A great safeguard against false testimony. Put . . . away.—Literally, consume. The primary meaning of the word is “burn.” Taberah, “burning,” is a derivative. The evil.—The Greek version renders this “the wicked man,” and the sentence is taken up in this form in 1 Corinthians 5:13, “and ye shall put away from among you that wicked person.” The phrase is of frequent occurrence in Deuteronomy, and if we are to understand that in all places where it occurs “the evil” is to be under. stood of an individual, and to be taken in the masculine gender, the fact seems to deserve notice in considering the phrase “deliver us from evil” in the Lord’s Prayer. There is really no such thing as wickedness in the world apart from some wicked being or person. We are also reminded of the famous argument of St. Augustine, that evil has no existence except as a corruption of good, or a creature’s perverted will.

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 17:7

7. The hand of the witnesses shall be first, etc.] Cp. Deuteronomy 13:9 (10): so they would feel more seriously the responsibility of their testimony! so thou shalt put away the evil) burn out. See on Deuteronomy 13:5 (6).

Sermons on Deuteronomy 17:7

	Sermon	Description
	Stephen - Thy Witness by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of Stephen's martyrdom as a pivotal moment in spiritual Christianity, highlighting that Stephen's testimony revealed a deeper understan
	Studies in 1 Corinthians-05 1 Cor 5:8-13 by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher introduces a chorus that the congregation has previously learned and liked. The chorus emphasizes the belief in God's guidance and trust in Him during
	Our Firm Foundation by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the current state of believers and compares it to the time of the Apostle Paul. He emphasizes that many people claim to be pious but lack tru
	The Elders Appointed by the Apostles by Watchman Nee	Watchman Nee discusses the biblical foundation and significance of appointing elders in the church, emphasizing that elders are chosen from among the local believers based on their
	The Gospel a Law of Liberty by J.H. Newman	J.H. Newman preaches about the ecclesiastical system in Scripture, emphasizing that the Bible teaches matters of faith essential for salvation rather than detailed discipline. He e
	(Reformers and Their Stepchildren) Catharer! - Part 2 by Leonard Verduin	Leonard Verduin discusses the historical conflict between two delineations of the Church: one emphasizing personal faith as the basis for a confessional Church, and the other focus
	If a Sister Who Has Been Frequently Corrected for Some Fault by St. Benedict of Nursia	St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of discipline and correction within the community, particularly when dealing with a sister who repeatedly fails to amend her ways.