then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;
Parallel translations
- KJV Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
- BSB both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
- NKJV then both men in the controversy shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
- NASB then both people who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.
- NLT then both the accuser and accused must appear before the Lord by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time.
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
Both parties in the dispute must stand before the LORD, the priests, and the judges. Serious cases are settled in God's presence by appointed authorities.
Overview
The accuser and accused are to present themselves before the religious and civil authorities at the central sanctuary. Bringing the matter before the LORD underscored that justice is ultimately accountable to God. This careful, God-centered process aimed to ensure truth would prevail over slander.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Deut 17:9You shall come to the priests who are Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days. You shall inquire, and they shall give you the verdict.
- Deut 21:5The priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them Yahweh your God has chosen to minister to him, and to bless in Yahweh’s name; and according to their word shall every controversy and every assault be decided.
- Mal 2:7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.
- Matt 23:2–3saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 19:17 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
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