Deuteronomy 17 Summary

Deuteronomy 17 opens with the prohibition of offering any blemished animal as a sacrifice to the LORD, declaring it an abomination. The chapter then addresses the grave sin of idolatry—worshipping the sun, moon, or the host of heaven—prescribing death by stoning upon the testimony of two or three witnesses, with the witnesses required to cast the first stones. Moses next establishes a supreme court of priests, Levites, and a judge at the place God shall choose to adjudicate cases too difficult for local courts, making it a capital offense to defy their ruling. Finally, the chapter anticipates Israel's future desire for a king, permitting one only if he is a fellow Israelite chosen by God, and strictly limiting him from multiplying horses, wives, or wealth, and requiring him to write and daily read a personal copy of the law so that he remains humble and obedient all his days.