Deuteronomy 17:18 - It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites.
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What does "Deuteronomy 17:18" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 17:18 outlines a specific responsibility for the future king of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom...": This sets the context. This commandment applies to the king after he has ascended to the throne and established his rule.
"...that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book...": The king is personally responsible for creating a handwritten copy of the Law (Torah, the first five books of the Bible). This wasn't to be a quick summary, but a full, meticulous copy.
"...out of that which is before the priests the Levites.": The king was to base his copy on an authoritative text of the Law kept by the Levitical priests. This underscores the importance of accuracy and fidelity to the original scriptures. The priests served as custodians and interpreters of the Law.
Here's what this verse communicates in broader terms:
The King's Subordination to the Law: Even the king, the highest authority in the land, was subject to the Law of God. He wasn't above it. He needed to know it intimately.
Importance of Personal Study of Scripture: The act of personally writing out the Law would force the king to engage deeply with its principles. This intimate familiarity was meant to influence his decisions and ensure his rule was guided by God's will.
The Priests' Role as Guardians of the Law: The verse affirms the authority of the Levitical priests in preserving and interpreting the Law. The king's copy had to be based on their authoritative text.
Kingship and Divine Law: The king's rule was to be based on and guided by God's Law. The Law was not merely a set of rules, but a blueprint for a just and righteous society.
In essence, the verse ensured:
The king would be intimately familiar with God's Law.
He would recognize his own accountability to God.
His rule would be guided by principles of justice and righteousness.
The Law, as interpreted by the priests, would serve as a check on his power.
The verse emphasizes that true leadership in Israel wasn't about absolute power, but about service to God and obedience to His Law. It highlighted the importance of knowing, understanding, and applying God's principles in leadership.
Deuteronomy 17:18 - It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites.
What does "Deuteronomy 17:18" mean?
This verse from Deuteronomy 17:18 outlines a specific responsibility for the future king of Israel. Let's break down its meaning:
"It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom...": This sets the context. This commandment applies to the king after he has ascended to the throne and established his rule.
"...that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book...": The king is personally responsible for creating a handwritten copy of the Law (Torah, the first five books of the Bible). This wasn't to be a quick summary, but a full, meticulous copy.
"...out of that which is before the priests the Levites.": The king was to base his copy on an authoritative text of the Law kept by the Levitical priests. This underscores the importance of accuracy and fidelity to the original scriptures. The priests served as custodians and interpreters of the Law.
Here's what this verse communicates in broader terms:
The King's Subordination to the Law: Even the king, the highest authority in the land, was subject to the Law of God. He wasn't above it. He needed to know it intimately.
Importance of Personal Study of Scripture: The act of personally writing out the Law would force the king to engage deeply with its principles. This intimate familiarity was meant to influence his decisions and ensure his rule was guided by God's will.
The Priests' Role as Guardians of the Law: The verse affirms the authority of the Levitical priests in preserving and interpreting the Law. The king's copy had to be based on their authoritative text.
Kingship and Divine Law: The king's rule was to be based on and guided by God's Law. The Law was not merely a set of rules, but a blueprint for a just and righteous society.
In essence, the verse ensured:
The king would be intimately familiar with God's Law.
He would recognize his own accountability to God.
His rule would be guided by principles of justice and righteousness.
The Law, as interpreted by the priests, would serve as a check on his power.
The verse emphasizes that true leadership in Israel wasn't about absolute power, but about service to God and obedience to His Law. It highlighted the importance of knowing, understanding, and applying God's principles in leadership.