And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

DEUTERONOMY 17:18KJV
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Deuteronomy 17:18 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 17:18 mean?

Deuteronomy 17:18 says that when a king begins to rule over Israel, he must write out his own copy of the law in a book, using the official scroll kept by the priests from the tribe of Levi as his source. This command is meant to ensure that the king personally knows and follows the law given to Israel.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving instructions for the future time when they will have a king. The situation is about setting up guidelines so that Israel’s king will be closely connected to God’s law, not ruling above it. The verse emphasizes the king’s personal responsibility to engage with the law, not just rely on others to tell him what it says.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 17:18

  • "write" (כָּתַב, kātav): This word means to write or inscribe. The instruction is for the king himself to write, not to have someone else do it, highlighting personal involvement.
  • "copy" (מִשְׁנֶה, mishneh): This word means a duplicate or a second version. The king is to make his own copy, not just read the official one, which stresses learning through the act of writing.
  • "law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This refers to the teachings or instructions, often meaning the first five books of the Bible. The king is required to be familiar with the foundational teachings of Israel.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This means a scroll or written document. The law is not just oral but written down, showing the importance of having a tangible, accessible reference.

Why Deuteronomy 17:18 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that Israel’s king was above the law; instead, the king is shown to be under the same law as everyone else, with a special duty to know it well.
  • The command for the king to write his own copy highlights the importance of personal engagement with God’s instructions, not just public ceremony or tradition.
  • In the wider passage, this instruction is part of a set of rules meant to keep Israel’s leaders humble and faithful, rather than letting power go unchecked.

Where else these words appear

“copy” Hebrew H4932 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 2 Samuel 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
  • Ezra 1:10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;

“throne” Hebrew H3678 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
  • 2 Kings 4:10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
  • Psalms 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.