Deuteronomy 16:20

_JUDGES AND OFFICERS SHALT THOU MAKE THEE IN ALL THY GATES, WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE, THROUGHOUT_ _ THY TRIBES: AND THEY SHALL JUDGE THE PEOPLE WITH JUST JUDGMENT._ Judges and officers. These last meant heralds or bailiffs, employed in executing the sentence of their superiors. IN ALL THY GATES. The gate was the place of public resort among the Israelites and other Eastern people, where business was transacted and causes decided. The Ottoman Porte derived its name from the administration of justice at its gates. But the word "gates" is evidently to be taken here in a larger sense, as equivalent to 'cities;' and, accordingly, courts of various grades for the administration of justice were established in every town. There were gradations of these tribunals-from ordinary courts to those of ultimate appeal-presided over by officers of corresponding rank and authority....

20._That which is altogether just _(131) By an emphatic repetition God inculcates that judges should study equity with inflexible constancy; nor is this done without cause, for nothing is more likely to happen than that men’s minds should be clouded by favor or hatred. Besides there are so many quibbles whereby justice is perverted, that, unless judges are very cautious in watching against deception, they will often find themselves ensnared....

18-22 Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spirit, present every where. Alas! even in gospel days, and under a better dispensation, established upon better promises, there is a tendency to set up idols, under one form or another, in the human heart....

These verses are closely connected in subject with the following chapter, and introduce certain directions for the administration of justice and the carrying on of the civil government of the people in Canaan. During the lifetime of Moses, he himself, especially inspired and guided by God, was sufficient, with the aid of the subordinate judges (compare Exodus 18:13 ff), for the duties in question. But now that Moses was to be withdrawn, and the people would soon be scattered up and down the land of Canaan, regular and permanent provision must be made for civil and social order and good government. Deuteronomy 16:21 A GROVE ... - Render, Thou shalt not plant for thee any tree as an idol: literally as an Asherah,” “i. e.” an ima

EXPOSITION CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER FESTIVAL, THE FEAST OF PENTECOST AND OF TABERNACLES. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND PREVENTION OF IDOLATRY. DEUTERONOMY 16:1 (Comp. Exodus 23:14-2; Exodus 34:18,...

THAT WHICH IS ALTOGETHER JUST SHALT THOU FOLLOW,.... Or "justice", "justice" a, strict justice, and nothing else: THAT THOU MAYEST LIVE AND INHERIT THE LAND WHICH THE LORD THY GOD GIVETH THEE; that is, continue in the possession of it. a צדק צדק...

13. JUSTICE AND THE CHOICE OF A KING Chapter S 16:18-17:20 _ 1. Appointment of judges and their instruction (Deuteronomy 16:18; Deuteronomy 17:1)_ 2. The higher court at the place He chooses (Deuteronomy 17:8) 3. The choice and right of the king (Deuteronomy 17:14) This chapter leads us upon new ground. The obligations of the religious life of Israel were stated in the first part of chapter 16 and now the government of the people in the land is commanded. “Just as in its religious worship the Israelitish nation was to show itself to be the holy nation of Jehovah,

DEUTERONOMY 16. THE DEUTERONOMIC LAWS OF THE THREE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE FEASTS. These are adaptations of the older laws in Exodus 23:18 *, Exodus 34:18; Exodus 34:22 f. (general regulations); Deuteronomy 12:21 (Passover); Deuteronomy 13:3 (Unleavened Bread), all J or E (see also Leviticus 23* (H) and Numbers 28 f., Numbers 9:1; Exodus 12:1 *,...

ALTOGETHER JUST. This is the rendering of the Figure of speech _Epizeuxis_ (App-6). Hebrew "just, just", i.e. perfectly just....

II. Second Division of the Laws: the Officers of the Theocracy Deuteronomy 16:18-20 … Deuteronomy 17:8-18 Five Laws on Judges and Justice, Appeal to the Sanctuary, the King, the Priests, the Prophets; interrupted by an isolated group of laws on the Worship, Deuteronomy 16:21 to Deuteronomy 17:7. Deuteronomy 16:18-20. Of Judges and Justice Judges with officers are to be appointed in every locality but according to tribes. Justice is to be pursued with strict impartiality. Sg.