If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;

DEUTERONOMY 17:8KJV
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Deuteronomy 17:8 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 17:8 mean?

Deuteronomy 17:8 tells the people that if a legal case is too difficult for local judges to decide—whether it involves serious crimes, disputes, or injuries—they must go to the place God chooses for a higher judgment. This verse sets up a process for handling the hardest cases by sending them to a central authority.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, giving them instructions for their future society. The verse describes situations where local leaders cannot resolve disputes, especially those involving life-and-death matters or complex disagreements. It emphasizes the need for a final, God-appointed place where the most challenging cases are settled.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 17:8

  • דָּבָר (davar, H1697) — "matter": This word refers to a case or issue, highlighting that the verse covers any kind of difficult situation, not just criminal cases.
  • פָּלָא (pala, H6381) — "hard": This word means something too difficult or extraordinary, showing that only truly complicated cases should be sent up.
  • מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) — "judgment": This word points to legal decisions or justice, underlining the verse’s focus on fair and proper rulings.
  • בֵּין דָּם לְדָם (bein dam le-dam, H1818) — "between blood and blood": This phrase refers to cases involving bloodshed, such as murder or accidental killing, showing the seriousness of some disputes.
  • רִיב (riv, H7379) — "controversy": This word means a dispute or quarrel, reinforcing that the verse is about conflicts that cannot be settled locally.
  • שַׁעַר (sha'ar, H8179) — "gates": City gates were where local courts met, so the verse is talking about cases unresolved at the community level.

Why Deuteronomy 17:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that not all legal matters could be settled locally; some required higher judgment, which helped prevent injustice in complex or serious cases.
  • It shows the importance of a central place and authority chosen by God, setting the stage for later institutions like the Temple and the high court (Sanhedrin).
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by outlining a system of justice that balances local responsibility with centralized oversight, aiming for fairness and unity among the people.

Where else these words appear

“plea” Hebrew H1779 · used in 17 verses

  • Esther 1:13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times,(for so was the king's manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
  • Psalms 76:8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,
  • Proverbs 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

“controversy” Hebrew H7379 · used in 61 verses

  • Genesis 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
  • Job 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
  • Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

“stroke” Hebrew H5061 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
  • Leviticus 14:36 Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:

“hard” Hebrew H6381 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
  • Job 9:10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
  • Psalms 107:15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!