And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.

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

What does Deuteronomy 18:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 18:17 describes the LORD’s response to the people of Israel’s request to hear God’s words through someone else. Speaking to Moses, the LORD approves what the people have said. Their request arose from fear of hearing God’s voice and seeing the great fire at Horeb.

Moses reports the LORD’s words to the people. The phrase “well spoken” expresses approval of their request, not merely a compliment about how they phrased it.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 18:17

  • “LORD” — יהוה (YHWH): This is God’s personal name in the Hebrew text. The KJV uses “LORD” in capital letters to represent that name.
  • “well” — יָטַב (yatav): This word can carry the sense of doing or saying something rightly or well. Here it helps show that the LORD regards the people’s words as fitting.

Why Deuteronomy 18:17 matters

  • The verse connects the people’s fear with the way they will receive further messages. In verse 18, the LORD says he will raise up a prophet like Moses and put his words in that prophet’s mouth.
  • The approval points back to the people’s own request. In verse 16, they ask not to hear the LORD’s voice or see the fire again, “that I die not.”

Where else these words appear

“well” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Joshua 22:30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
  • Psalms 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.