What Does Deuteronomy 17:8 Mean in the King James?
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The matter called “too hard” comes from the root of what is extraordinary: it exceeds one hearing’s reach, so it is carried to another.
THE MEANING
When a dispute exceeds the judgment available at the nearest level, it still has a next hearing: the matter is carried up to the place the LORD chooses. Blood, competing pleas, and injuries remain distinct cases that require careful judgment.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A case too difficult for the first level is not therefore beyond justice; its difficulty marks the point where the hearing must widen.
THE ROOT
יִפָּלֵא
yippale
GROWS FROM
פלא
p-l-ʾ
To be extraordinary, wondrous, or beyond ordinary reach; in this form, to prove too difficult.
“Too hard” shares its root with words for wonders and extraordinary things. The verse frames difficulty as a matter that exceeds ordinary judgment, then gives it a path to an appointed hearing.
ALSO GROWS
pele: Wonder; extraordinary thing.
פֶּלֶא
The case exceeds the ordinary reach of judgment, much as a wonder exceeds ordinary expectation.
nifla’ot: Wonders; marvelous things.
נִפְלָאוֹת
The same root names what surpasses ordinary capacity, connecting the difficult case with what is beyond the usual measure.
רִיבֹת
rivot
GROWS FROM
ריב
r-y-b
To contend, plead, or bring a case.
The phrase “matters of controversy” names active contention: a dispute with claims that need to be heard. English can make “controversy” sound abstract, while this root keeps the parties and their case in view.
ALSO GROWS
rîb: Dispute; legal contention.
רִיב
It names the contested matter that the verse carries to a higher hearing.
yārîb: He contends; he pleads a case.
יָרִיב
The verbal branch makes the dispute something people do before judgment, not merely a label attached to a matter.
THE PATTERN
When a dispute exceeds the judgment of its first hearing, it is carried into a wider, appointed discernment.
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.THE THREAD
Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.“Too hard” in both verses comes from פלא (pala), the root of what is extraordinary or beyond ordinary reach. Deuteronomy 1:17 makes the next step explicit: the difficult cause is brought to another hearing, not left without one.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us