Deuteronomy 17:4

_AND HATH GONE AND SERVED OTHER GODS, AND WORSHIPPED THEM, EITHER THE SUN, OR MOON, OR ANY OF THE HOST OF HEAVEN, WHICH I HAVE NOT COMMANDED;_ No JFB commentary on these verses....

4._Then three shalt inquire _(307) _diligently. _Although this moderation here refers only to the present matter, yet should it always be maintained in judicial proceedings, lest innocent persons should be treated with undue severity. Again, we must remember what I have said elsewhere, that judges are here not only restrained from precipitate condemnation, but also stimulated to beware of passing over, in idleness or negligence, anything that was necessary to be known. For they often fail in their duty, because they wilfully connive at guilt; and thus that which would be manifest if they would be at the pains to make more diligent inquiry, does not come to light. God, then, would not have them slumber nor take no notice of sinister reports, but rather inquire diligently as to things which may have come to their cars, so that no crime may remain unpunished. The same is the case as to witn...

1-7 No creature which had any blemish was to be offered in sacrifice to God. We are thus called to remember the perfect, pure, and spotless sacrifice of Christ, and reminded to serve God with the best of our abilities, time, and possession, or our pretended obedience will be hateful to him. So great a punishment as death, so remarkable a death as stoning, must be inflicted on the Jewish idolater. Let all who in our day set up idols in their hearts, remember how God punished this crime in Israel....

Verse Deuteronomy 17:4. _IF IT BE TOLD THEE_] In a private way by any confidential person. _And thou hast heard_ of it; so that it appears to be notorious, very likely to be true, and publicly scandalous. _And_ hast _inquired diligently _- sought to find out the truth of the report by the most careful examination of persons reporting, circumstances of the case, c. _And, behold, it be_ _true _- the report is not founded on vague rumour, hearsay, or malice. _And the thing certain _- substantiated by the fullest evidence. _Then shalt thou bring forth that man_, Deuteronomy 17:5. As the charge of idolatry was the most solemn and awful that could be brought against an Israelite, because it affected his _life_, therefore God required that the charge...

Compare Deuteronomy 13:1 ff. Here special reference is made to the legal forms to be adopted, Deuteronomy 17:5. The sentence was to be carried into effect at “the gates” (compare Genesis 19:1 note) of the town in which the crime was committed; because, as “all the people” were to take a part, an open space would be requisite for the execution. Note the typical and prophetical aspect of the injunction; compare Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12....

EXPOSITION SACRIFICES TO BE OF ANIMALS UNBLEMISHED. IDOLATERS TO BE SOUGHT OUT, CONVICTED, AND PUT TO DEATH. THE HIGHER JUDICIAL COURT AT THE SANCTUARY. ELECTION DUTY OF A KING. DEUTERONOMY 17:1 Not only was the setting up of idols an offence to be punished by the judge, but also all profanation of the service of Jehovah, such as the offering in sacrifice of any animal, bullock or sheep, tha

AND IT BE TOLD THEE, AND THOU HAST HEARD OF IT, AND INQUIRED DILIGENTLY,.... A report of this kind was not to be neglected; though it was not to be concluded upon as certain by hearsay, it was to be looked into, and the persons that brought it thoroughly examined; so the Targum of Jonathan, "and inquired the witnesses well,'' what proof and evidence they could give of the fact, who the persons were, when and where, and in what manner the sin was committed: AND, BEHOLD, [IT BE] TRUE, [AND] THE THING CERTAIN; upon examining the witnesses the case is plain and out of all question: THAT SUCH ABOMINATION IS WROUGHT IN ISRAEL; to do it in any country was abominable, but much more so in the land of Israel, among the professing people of God, who had the knowledge of the true God, and had had so many proofs of his deity, his power and providence, as well as received so many favours and bless...

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 16:21- DEUTERONOMY 17:7. LAWS DEMANDING PURE WORSHIP AND SUITABLE SACRIFICES. This breaks the connexion; its proper place is probably between Deuteronomy 12 and Deuteronomy 13. DEUTERONOMY 17:1. See Leviticus 22:17 *. ox: Heb. means any head of large cattle, bull, cow, calf. sheep: Heb. means any head of small cattle, ram, ewe, lamb, goat, kid. Deuteronomy 17:2 probably preceded ch. 13 with which it has close affinities....

DILIGENTLY. See note on Deuteronomy 13:14. BEHOLD. Figure of speech _Asterismos._ App-6....