and it is told you, and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently. And if it is indeed true and certain that such an abomination has been committed in Israel,
Parallel translations
- WEB and you are told, and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel,
- KJV And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
- BSB and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,
- NASB and if it is reported to you and you have heard about it, then you shall investigate thoroughly. And if it is true and the report is trustworthy that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
- NLT When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
An accusation of idolatry required diligent investigation to confirm the truth before any action. Justice demanded careful inquiry, not hasty judgment.
Overview
Even in the grave matter of idolatry, the law required thorough investigation to establish that the charge was true and certain. This protected the innocent from false accusation and rumor. The insistence on diligent inquiry reflects God's commitment to truth and justice, never condemning without sure evidence.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Deut 19:18and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother;
- Deut 13:12–14If you shall hear about one of your cities, which Yahweh your God gives you to dwell there, that
- John 7:51“Does our law judge a man, unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?”
- Prov 25:2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 17:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.