According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.

DEUTERONOMY 17:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 17:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 17:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 17:11 commands the Israelites to follow the legal decisions and teachings given by their appointed judges and priests, without turning aside from their rulings in any way. The verse stresses the importance of obeying the official interpretation and application of the law, not deviating to the right or to the left.

In context, Moses is instructing the people about what to do when a legal case is too difficult for local leaders to decide. The people are to go to the central place of worship, where the priests and judges will give a decision. This verse emphasizes that their ruling is final and must be followed exactly, highlighting the seriousness of respecting the authority God has put in place for justice and order.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 17:11

  • "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This word means "instruction" or "teaching," not just legal codes. Here, it refers to the body of guidance given by God and interpreted by the priests and judges.
  • "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word means a legal decision or verdict. The verse is about following the specific ruling given in a difficult case.
  • "decline" (סוּר, sur): This verb means to turn aside or deviate. The verse uses it to stress that the people must not stray from the decision, even a little.
  • "right hand" (יָמִין, yamin) and "left" (שְׂמֹאל, semol): These words are used figuratively to mean any kind of deviation, not just literal directions. The idea is to follow the ruling exactly, without adding or subtracting anything.

Why Deuteronomy 17:11 matters

  • Deuteronomy 17:11 clarifies that the authority of the priests and judges was not just advisory but binding; the people were not free to pick and choose which parts to follow.
  • This verse shows the seriousness with which God intended the Israelites to treat the administration of justice and the unity of the community under one standard.
  • It connects to the wider passage by explaining how difficult cases were to be handled in ancient Israel, ensuring fairness and consistency in applying God's law.

Where else these words appear

“left” Hebrew H8040 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • Judges 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

“teach” Hebrew H3384 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
  • 1 Kings 8:36 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
  • Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.

“hand” Hebrew H3225 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
  • 1 Kings 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
  • Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.