Preface: Moses continues giving laws and applications of the Law. In this chapter, Moses deals with the problem of idolatry, the function of higher courts, the evidence of two or more witnesses, and how a future king over Israel must behave.

There are many chapter commentaries on the book of Deuteronomy. This will be the most extensive examination of Deuteronomy 17 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text. Every attempt has been made to make this both a complete and self-contained study. Therefore, all references, vocabulary, and related concepts should be found within this extensive study. Easy access links to more in-depth studies of some vocabulary words, concepts and doctrines are also provided.

Outline of Chapter 17:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1            Animal Sacrifices Should be Without Defect

         vv.     2–7           Evidence Against and Execution of an Idolater

         vv.     8–13         Laws of Higher Courts

         vv.    14–20         Laws for a Future King

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Preface               Deuteronomy 17:18 (a graphic)

         Introduction         Deuteronomy 17 Graphic

         Introduction         Moses’ train of thought

         Introduction         Deuteronomy 17 from the 1611 King James Bible (a graphic)

         Introduction         The Prequel of Deuteronomy 17

         Introduction         The Principals of Deuteronomy 17

         Introduction         The Places of Deuteronomy 17

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translations

         Introduction         Matthew Henry’s Outline of Deuteronomy 17

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Deuteronomy 17 by The College Press Bible Study

         Introduction         Deuteronomy 17 Lessons for Today (an Outline of Deuteronomy 17)

         Introduction         Expositor’s Bible Commentary on the Confusing Organization of Deuteronomy

         Introduction         The Summarized Bible on Deuteronomy 17

         v.       1              The Unblemished Sacrifice Refers to our Lord (Commentators on Deut. 17:1)

         v.       1              Deut. 17:1 in Context

         v.       1              The Civil and Spiritual Spheres of Israel in Deuteronomy 16–17

         v.       1              Commentators on the Chapter Division and Misplacement of Deuteronomy 17:1

         v.       1              Logically tying Deut. 17:1 to its context (Peter Pett)

         v.       3              Global Warming as a Religion by W. A. Beatty

         v.       3              Photo of the Aftermath of the Earth Day Celebration in San Francisco 2014

         v.       3              Forbidding the Worship of the Sun, Moon and Stars (Several Commentators)

         v.       4              Idolatry and False Worship (Commentators on Deuteronomy 17:2–4)

         v.       4              Idolatry (Ancient, Modern, and Tribulational)

         v.       5              The Execution of Idolaters (Commentators on Deuteronomy 17:2–5)

         v.       6              According to 2 or 3 witnesses (Commentators on Deuteronomy 17:6)

         v.       6              The Death Penalty in the Mosaic Economy (The Apologetics Press)

         v.       6              Death Penalty in the Old Testament (a graphic)

         v.       6              The Death Penalty in the New Testament (from Gotquestions.org)

         v.       6              How some judges are confused about the death penalty and the Bible (Ron Daniel)

         v.       7              He who casts the first stone (commentators on Deuteronomy 17:7)

         v.       7              Robby Dean’s Appended Doctrine of Separation

         v.       7              Purging evil from your midst

         v.       8              Peter Pett’s Chiasmos for Deuteronomy 17:8–13

         v.       8              Translating “Between ___ to [for] ___.”

         v.       8              Interpreting “Between blood to blood”

         v.       8              No pope required

         v.       8              Steve Rudd: Why Peter was not a good choice for the first pope

         v.       8              Links to Further Study on the Pope

         v.       8              Higher Courts in the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 17:8)

         v.       9              King, Prophet, Priest (a graphic)

         v.       9              Doctrine of the Priesthood (Ballinger, Thieme)

         v.       9              Keil and Delitzsch why it is the Levitical Priesthood rather than the Aaronic Priests

         v.       9              Commentators on the term Levitical Priests

         v.       9              Several Commentators on the Appellant Courts of Moses

         v.      12              Respecting the Authority of the Higher Court (Commentators on Deut. 17:12)

         v.      12              Grace Bible Church’s “Doctrine of Authority”

         v.      12              Links to Doctrines of Authority

         v.      14              Functions of Government (a graphic)

         v.      14              Dr. Peter Pett’s Chiasmos of Deuteronomy 17:14–20

         v.      14              Commentators Regarding a Future King; Introducing Deuteronomy 17:14–20

         v.      14              The Book of Deuteronomy was NOT written during the time of Samuel

         v.      14              Moses, by the power of God, perceived that the people would want a king

         v.      14              Applying the Torah to a Modern Nation

         v.      15              Deuteronomy 17:15 (a graphic)

         v.      15              Moses predicts that Israel will desire a king

         v.      15              1Samuel 8:7–22 Samuel, the people and their desire for a king

         v.      16              Commentators Who Think Moses is Restricting the Build-up of Israel’s Army

         v.      16              Warfare Horses (a graphic)

         v.      16              Interpreting Multiplying Horses and Returning to Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16)

         v.      16              Keil and Delitzsch on a More Timeless Understanding of Deuteronomy 17:16

         v.      16              Adam Clarke Explains Deuteronomy 17:16

         v.      16              Deuteronomy 17:16 Israel, Its King, and Its Military (and Its Horses)

         v.      17              Wealth and the King

         v.      17              Rich Cathers—The Warnings of Moses and the Acts of Solomon

         v.      17              God’s Restrictions Upon a King of Israel

         v.      17              The College Press Bible Study on a Summary of Transgressions

         v.      17              David Guzik: “It is a Matter of Balance”

         v.      17              God Made One VERY Conditional Promise to Solomon

         v.      17              Solomon’s Wisdom Versus Solomon’s Failings

         v.      18              Lessons for Today (Deut. 17:18–20 —a graphic)

         v.      18              The Title of Deuteronomy (Several Commentators)

         v.      18              Scrolls Copied by the King—Deuteronomy 17:18 (a graphic)

         v.      18              What we know about the Old Testament canon

         v.      18              What we can guess about the Old Testament canon

         v.      19              Recovering the Law of Moses—2Chronicles 34

         v.      19              Deuteronomy 17:19 (a graphic)

         v.      19              Moses advances the concept of canonization

         v.      19              New Testament Canonization

         v.      19              New Testament Canon Charts

         v.      19              Dr. Thomas Constable on the Limitations Placed on a King

         v.      20              Deuteronomy 17:19–20a (from the CEV; a graphic)

         v.      20              Do Not Turn Aside to the Left or to the Right (Scriptures)

         v.      20              Neither to the Left or the Right (graphic)

         v.      20              An Overview of an Israelite King from the Perspective of Moses (Peter Pett)

         v.      20              Dr. Peter Pett: No King Matched the Mosaic Ideal

         v.      20              J. Orr on the Limited Monarchy in Israel

         v.      20              Utley on the King of Israel

         v.      20              The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Limitations of a King

         v.      20              Observations on the King of Israel by the Expositor’s Bible Commentary

         v.      20              Why did God wait to allow Israel to have a king?

         v.      20              Dr. Bob Utley: Moses' Authorship of the Pentateuch

         Addendum          Why Deuteronomy 17 is in the Word of God

         Addendum          What We Learn from Deuteronomy 17

         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Deuteronomy 17

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Deuteronomy 17

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Deuteronomy 17

——————————

An Introduction to Deuteronomy 17

I ntroduction: Deut. 17 is a continuation of the end of Deut. 16; Deut. 16 ended with the choosing of judges and a prohibition against idolatry. This chapter continues with what animals would be acceptable for sacrifice and some specific prohibitions against idolatry. Then Moses covers some specifics concerning the judicial system of Israel and suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, mentions a behavior code for a king, even though there is no provision up until this time for the choosing of a king. This is not a mistake nor was this added years later. Moses prefaces this by informing the Israelites that they would desire a king in the future. And there is a train of thought here—Moses was speaking about the judges and the priests—those with great authority in the land—and then begins discussing the highest human authority in most countries, a king.

Deuteronomy 17 Graphic; from Hope, Help, Healing; accessed May 13, 2016.

Deut. 17 is simply a continuation of Deut. 16, with a somewhat arbitrary division between the two chapters. In fact, the first two-thirds of Deut. 16 is about the various feasts. Those 17 verses form a single unit. Then, beginning with v. 18, that should have all been placed with Deut. 17. Deut 16:18–22 "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you. "You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD your God that you shall make. And you shall not set up a pillar, which the LORD your God hates.” (ESV) See Deuteronomy 16 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) for the exegesis of these verses.

In Deut. 17, Moses continues his second dissertation before the people of Israel. This dissertation began in Deut. 5 with the Ten Commandments, and Moses has now been speaking of a variety of laws and customs which would be for the Israelite people. This chapter will cover a number of different topics, most of which at first appear to be unrelated. Any animal offered up must be with without defect; those who are engaged in idolatry must be executed—however, 2 or 3 witnesses are required in order to condemn such a one to death. Then Moses suggests that, for some judges, there might be a particular case which they cannot render a verdict on. Perhaps they do not feel they have enough perception; perhaps they recognize a bias in their own judgement. Whatever it is, they take the case to another court (it might be about murder, injury or a simple civil case). Then it will be tried before Levitical priests or another judge. It appears as if the original judge himself will give testimony, and a decision will be rendered. The original judge must carry out that sentence; and if he does not, he is subject to execution himself.

Then, in the final section of this chapter, Moses discusses the possibility of a king. He pretty much acknowledges that this will occur in the future, and he sets up some standards that the king must adhere to. Furthermore, the king must make a copy of the Law for himself and to study and obey that Law (which will prolong his life in the land).

Deuteronomy 17 from the 1611 King James Bible (a graphic); from King James Bible Online; accessed May 13, 2016.

As we have seen throughout much of Deuteronomy, Moses will speak to the people in the 2^nd person masculine singular, as if he is speaking to the people of Israel individually. Even in this chapter, when Moses predicts that the people will want a king—which is quite obviously a national dialogue and decision—he will speak to the people about it as if he is speaking to each person individually. However, there will be one short section where Moses addresses the people as a group.

We have no idea how Moses presented this. Did he have notes, did he speak extemporaneously, did he essentially write the book of Deuteronomy and then read from it? Did someone else write down what he said, either during or after the fact (like Joshua)? He had a great many topics to deal with. Moses began with their shared history (Deut. 1–4), but he eventually began giving principles and correct application of the Law of God.

Hawker summarizes this chapter: The subject of the divine laws is continued through this Chapter. Moses under GOD’S authority, points out the unblemished state required of the animals to be offered in sacrifice; of the punishment of idolaters: of controversies in judgment: of the election of a king; and of special duties required of him.

Deuteronomy 17 Lessons for Today (an Outline of Deuteronomy 17); from Slide Player; accessed May 13, 2016.

F. Delitzsch: Just as in its religious worship the Israelitish nation was to show itself to be the holy nation of Jehovah, so was it in its political relations also. This thought forms the link between the laws already given and those which follow. Civil order, that indispensable condition of the stability and prosperity of nations and states, rests upon a conscientious maintenance of right, by means of a well- ordered judicial constitution and an impartial administration of justice.

Arno Gaebelein continues: Judges and officials were to be appointed and a higher judicial court for more difficult cases to be established, the latter at the place of the sanctuary. Idolatry is prominently mentioned again because it is the most serious matter, both individually and nationally, to forsake the one Jehovah. Apostasy from Jehovah and His covenant is wickedness. Chapter 16:21–22 also has reference to idolatry. The idolatrous altars and images were set up under, or, beside green trees. See 1Kings 14:23; 2Kings 17:10; Jer. 17:2. Then there is provision made for the choice of a king. The Lord foresaw Samuel’s time, when the people would reject Him as their King and desire to be like other nations; and foreseeing their failures He made provision for this emergency. Gaebelein’s mention of Deut. 16:21–22 is common, the separation between these chapters being oh-so arbitrary.

Gaebelein continues: A comparison of verse 16 and 17 with 1 Kings 9-11 is most interesting. What failure man is in himself. And Solomon was the wisest and most influential of all the kings. This fact that Solomon did the very opposite from what the king should do has led the critics to say that this passage was written after Solomon. As if God did not know all this beforehand! But there is not allusion to Solomon’s kingdom at all in the words Moses spoke.

It is, in fact, the exegetical study of 1Kings 4 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) which pushed me towards the examination of this chapter in Deuteronomy; because the commentators were so quick to point to a verse in this chapter to condemn Solomon on the matter of horses (he had a cavalry), a condemnation which did not strike me as being completely legitimate. Solomon has failings—there is no doubt about that—failings worth studying and taking note of—but, rightly dividing the Word of Truth means that we need to condemn Solomon only when he is worthy of such condemnation. Therefore, we will spend a great deal of time discussing Moses’ warnings from this chapter and Solomon’s actions and failings in his life.

J. Vernon McGee sums up this and the next chapter: In chapters 17 and 18 we come to a section which deals with the regulations that would control a king, a priest, and a prophet. These were the three main offices in the nation Israel, in the theocracy which God had set up for these people. God laid down rules for each of these offices.

The end of Deut. 16 really should have been placed with Deut. 17 (the chapter and verse divisions in the Bible are not inspired). Deut 16:18–22 "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the LORD your God that you shall make. And you shall not set up a pillar, which the LORD your God hates.” (ESV) You see that the Israelites are commanded to appoint judges and other officials over them; and, in Deut. 17, Moses will talk about the idea of a king of Israel. At the very end of Deut. 16, there are things which are forbidden to Israel, which prohibitions continue and conclude with Deut. 17:1.

——————————

Animal Sacrifices Should be Without Defect

It amazes me no end as to how much material is related to this simple verse. Why is it found here? What about the chapter divisions? How does this fit with the text that follows? And, most fundamentally, what does this verse mean (which is the most basic question and the easiest to answer)?

This verse does not seem to fit in with any of what follows. Many translations associate it with previous verses (which are noted below in the translations).

Deut. 16:21–22 and 17:1 (You shall not set up for yourself pillars of any trees, which you make for yourself near the altar of Jehovah your God. And you shall not raise up for yourself any standing image, which Jehovah your God detests. You shall not sacrifice to Jehovah your God an ox or sheep in which there is a blemish, any evil thing, for it is a hateful thing to Jehovah your God.—ESV) should be grouped together under “Unacceptable Religious Practices.”

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       Note: I compare the Hebrew text to English translations of the Latin, Syriac (= Aramaic) and Greek texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation ; George Lamsa’s translation, and Sir Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton’s translation as revised and edited by Paul W. Esposito, respectively. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.). I often use the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible instead of Brenton’s translation, because it updates the English text.

The Septuagint was the earliest known translation of a book (circa 200 b.c.). Since this translation was made before the textual criticism had been developed into a science and because different books appear to be translated by different men, the Greek translation can sometimes be very uneven.

When there are serious disparities between my translation and Brenton’s (or the text of the Complete Apostles’ Bible), I look at the Greek text of the Septuagint (the LXX) to see if a substantive difference actually exists (and I reflect these changes in the English rendering of the Greek text). I use the Greek LXX with Strong’s numbers and morphology available for e-sword. The only problem with this resource (which is a problem for similar resources) is, there is no way to further explore Greek verbs which are not found in the New Testament. Although I usually quote the Complete Apostles’ Bible here, I have begun to make changes in the translation when their translation conflicts with the Greek and note what those changes are.

The Masoretic text is the Hebrew text with all of the vowels (vowel points) inserted (the original Hebrew text lacked vowels). We take the Masoretic text to be the text closest to the original. However, differences between the Masoretic text and the Greek, Latin and Syriac are worth noting and, once in a great while, represent a more accurate text possessed by those other ancient translators.

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Bracketed portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are words, letters and phrases lost in the scroll due to various types of damage. Underlined words or phrases are those in the Dead Sea Scrolls but not in the Masoretic text.

I will only list the translation from the Dead Sea Scrolls if it exists and if it is different from the Masoretic text.

These Bibles often fall into more than one category; I placed them where I believed them to have the best fit.

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        “You will not sacrifice to Y^ehowah your Elohim an ox and a lamb which is in him a blemish—any word evil—for an abomination of Y^ehowah your Elohim that.

Targum of Onkelos                You shall not sacrifice before the. Lord your God a bullock or lamb which hath any blemish or evil in it, or which is torn or rent; for that is abominable before the Lord your God.

Latin Vulgate                          You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God a sheep, or an ox, wherein there is blemish, or any fault: for that is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Peshitta (Syriac)                    YOU shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a lamb wherein is blemish, or anything impious; for that is an abomination in the sight of the LORD your God.

Septuagint (Greek)                You shall no sacrifice to the Lord your God a calf or a sheep, in which there is a blemish, or any evil thing; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God.

Significant differences:           The Syriac adds in the sight of.

Limited Vocabulary Bibles:

Bible in Basic English             No ox or sheep which has a mark on it or is damaged in any way may be offered to the Lord your God: for that is disgusting to the Lord your God.

Easy English                          A list of other rules and rules for a king

You must bring good gifts to the LORD your God. Do not bring any sheep or cow whose body is not completely right. The LORD hates this.

Easy-to-Read Version(2002) "You must not sacrifice to the Lord your God a cow or sheep if there is anything wrong with it. Why? Because the Lord your God hates it!

The Message                         And don’t sacrifice to God, your God, an ox or sheep that is defective or has anything at all wrong with it. That’s an abomination, an insult to God, your God.

Names of God Bible               Never offer an ox or a sheep that has a defect or anything seriously wrong with it as a sacrifice to Yahweh your Elohim. That would be disgusting to Yahweh your Elohim.

NIRV                                      Suppose an ox or sheep has anything at all wrong with it. Then don’t sacrifice it to the Lord your God. He hates it.

Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:

Common English Bible           Don’t sacrifice to the Lord your God any oxen or sheep that have defects of any kind, because that is detestable to the Lord your God.

Contemporary English V.       If an ox or a sheep has something wrong with it, don't offer it as a sacrifice to the LORD your God--he will be disgusted!

The Living Bible                     “Never sacrifice a sick or defective ox or sheep to the Lord your God. He doesn’t feel honored by such gifts!

New Berkeley Version           “Sacrifices to the Lord your God must never include a member of your herd or flock in which there is a blemish or defect; for such a sacrifice would be abhorrent to th3e Lord your God.

New Century Version             If an ox or sheep has something wrong with it, do not offer it as a sacrifice to the Lord your God. He would hate that.

New Life Bible                        "Do not give to the Lord your God a bull or a sheep which is not perfect. For that is a hated thing to the Lord your God.

New Living Translation           “Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to the Lord your God, for he detests such gifts.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          'You must not sacrifice a calf or a sheep to Jehovah your God that is scarred or deformed in any way, for that would be disgusting to Jehovah your God.

International Standard V        You are not to sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has a defect or any flaw it, because that is detestable to the LORD your God."

New Advent (Knox) Bible       Never shalt thou offer in sacrifice sheep or ox that has any blemish or defect; such impiety is hateful to the Lord thy God.

Translation for Translators                        Warning against sacrificing defective animals

“Do not sacrifice to Yahweh our God any cattle or sheep or goats that have any defects, because Yahweh hates that kind of gift.”

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                ^16:18 You shall appoint judges and Recorders for yourselves in every village which your EVER-LIVING GOD gives to you, to control you, and to govern the People with honest government. ¹⁹ You shall not distort justice. You shall not regard stations. You shall not take bribes ; — for bribes blind the eyes of the intelligent, and pervert the decrees of justice. ²⁰ You shall follow perfect justice, so that you may live and possess the country that your Ever-living God has given to you. ²¹ You shall not plant shrines, or any trees, at the side of the altar you make to your Ever-living God; ²² nor shall you erect for yourselves columns, as standards, to your Ever-living God. ^17:1 You shall not sacrifice to your Ever-living God an ox or a sheep in which there is any defect, — any thing bad, — for that would be an insult to your Ever-living God. The Ferrar-Fenton Bible begins speech V with Deut. 16:18 (included above).

Lexham English Bible            “You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or sheep that has a physical defect of anything seriously wrong, for that is a detestable thing to Yahweh your God.

NIV – UK                                Do not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh, your God, an ox or a sheep that has any blemish or defect because Yah weh abhors this.

The Heritage Bible                 You shall not sacrifice to Jehovah, your God, bullock or sheep in which is a blemish, or any evil word, for that is an abomination to Jehovah, your God.

New American Bible (2002)   "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD, your God, from the herd or from the flock an animal with any serious defect; that would be an abomination to the LORD, your God.

New American Bible (2011)              You shall not sacrifice to the LORD, your God, an ox or a sheep with any serious defect [Lev 22:20.]; that would be an abomination to the LORD, your God.

New Jerusalem Bible             'To Yahweh your God you must sacrifice nothing from herd or flock that has any blemish or defect whatsoever, for Yahweh your God holds this detestable.

New RSV                               You must not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep that has a defect, anything seriously wrong; for that is abhorrent to the Lord your God.

Revised English Bible            You must not sacrifice to the LORD your God a bull or sheep that has any defect or serious blemish, for that would be abominable to the LORD your God.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           “You are not to sacrifice to Adonai your God a cow or sheep that has a defect or anything wrong with it; that would be an abomination to Adonai your God.

exeGeses companion Bible   THE TORAH ON SACRIFICES

Thou shalt not sacrifice

unto the LORD Yah Veh thy God Elohim

any bullock ox , or sheep lamb ,

wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness evil word :

for that is an abomination abhorrence

unto the LORD Yah Veh thy God Elohim.

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect of a serious kind, for that is abhorrent to the Lord your God.

Kaplan Translation                 Blemished Sacrifice

Do not sacrifice to God your Lord any ox, sheep or goat that has a serious blemish, since to do so before God your Lord is considered revolting.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Thou shalt not sacrifice unto Hashem Eloheicha any ox, or sheep, wherein is mum (blemish), or any evil thing, any defect: for that is a to’avat (abomination) unto Hashem Eloheicha.

The Scriptures 1998              “Do not slaughter to יהוה your Elohim a bull or sheep which has any blemish, any evil matter, for that is an abomination to יהוה your Elohim.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Administration of Justice

“You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or sheep with a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the Lord your God.

The Expanded Bible              If an ox or sheep has ·something wrong with it [^La blemish/defect, anything wrong with it; Lev. 22:17–25], do not offer it as a sacrifice to the Lord your God. He would ·hate [detest] that.

Kretzmann’s Commentary    Verses 1-7

Punishment of Idolatry

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the Lord, thy God, any bullock or sheep wherein is blemish, or any evil-favoredness; for that is an abomination unto the Lord, thy God. The offering of an imperfect animal as sacrifice, one infected with any of the evils mentioned Lev. 22:20-24, is just as much an insult to Jehovah as the erecting of pillars to Asherah and Baal; hence the authorities were to watch carefully over these matters.

NET Bible®                             Examples of Legal Cases

You must not plant any kind of tree as a sacred Asherah pole near the altar of the Lord your God which you build for yourself. You must not erect a sacred pillar, a thing the Lord your God detests. You must not sacrifice to him [Heb “to the Lord your God.”] a bull or sheep that has a blemish or any other defect, because that is considered offensive to the Lord your God. When it comes to making an actual material change to the text, the NET Bible® is pretty good about indicating this. Since most of these corrections will be clear in the more literal translations below and within the Hebrew exegesis itself, I will not continue to list every NET Bible® footnote. Language footnotes will be placed in the Hebrew exegesis. Some footnotes will quoted elsewhere in this document. The NET Bible places vv. 21–22 from the previous chapter with this section.

The Voice                               Don’t sacrifice an ox or a sheep to the Eternal your God if it has any defect or problem. He would be deeply offended by such an offering!

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Concordant Literal Version    You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your Elohim a bull or a flockling in which there is a blemish, any bad thing, for it is an abhorrence to Yahweh your Elohim.

Context Group Version          You shall not sacrifice to YHWH your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a blemish, [ or ] anything evil; for that is disgusting to YHWH your God.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           You shall offer unto the Lord your God no ox or sheep wherein is any deformity, whatsoever evil favoredness it be: for that is an abomination unto the Lord your God.

Green’s Literal Translation    You shall not sacrifice to Jehovah your God an ox or sheep in which there is a blemish, any evil thing, for it is a hateful thing to Jehovah your God.

NASB                                     Administration of Justice

“You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep which has a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the Lord your God.

New European Version          You must not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish or anything imperfect, for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.

Webster’s Bible Translation  Thou shalt not sacrifice to the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, in which is blemish, or any evil favoredness: for that is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

World English Bible                You shall not sacrifice to Yahweh your God an ox, or a sheep, in which is a defect, or anything evil; for that is an abomination to Yahweh your God.

Young’s Updated LT             “You will not sacrifice to Jehovah your God ox or sheep in which there is a blemish—any evil thing; for it is the abomination of Jehovah your God.

The gist of this passage:     Animals with blemishes or defects are not to be sacrificed to God.

Translation: “You will not sacrifice to Y^ehowah your Elohim an ox or a lamb on which [there] is a blemish... When an animal is offered up as a blood sacrifice, that animal cannot have any sort of a blemish because the animal represents Jesus Christ, a man without sin. One has to be willfully blind to read the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament and not recognize how they foretell the offering of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins, our sacrificial Lamb without spot or blemish (1Peter 1:9).

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown indicates that this does not refer to two particular animals, but to two categories of animals: Under the name of bullock were comprehended bulls, cows, and calves; under that of sheep, rams, lambs, kids, he- and she-goats.

Translation: ...—[or] any injury [imperfection or defect]—... There cannot be anything wrong with the animals offered up to God. Again, this is all about the animal representing Jesus Christ as perfect. The animal sacrifice is typical of Jesus offering Himself on the cross on our behalf.

The reference to the lack of defect is interesting. The phrase is translated by the NASB as any defect; Owen reads: any defect whatsoever; NIV: any flaw. The first word is the construct of kôl (כֹּל) [pronounced kohl] and this word means the whole, all of, the entirety of, all, every or any. Strong's #3605 BDB #481. It is followed by the construct of dâbâr (דָּבָר) [pronounced daw^b-VAWR], which means word, saying, doctrine, command. It is something which proceeds from the mouth and the context determines its exact parameters. Strong's #1697 BDB #182. The adjective which describes dâbâr is raʿ (רַע) [pronounced rahģ] and it means evil, bad. Strong’s #7451 BDB #948. This therefore literally reads any evil word. We could render this any evil thing. However, during the time of Moses, this was possibly an unusual phrase to apply to an animal. At best, we can translate this any evil thing; a reference to all of the defects enumerated in Lev. 22:22–24.

Today we know that the sacrificed animals all point forward to Jesus Christ, and in Him was no evil word or deed. The call for virtual perfection of the animal sacrifice is spoken of often in the Torah: “Your kid will be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.” (Ex. 12:5). “Whatever has a defect, you will not offer, for it will not be acceptable with respect to you.” (Lev. 22:20). “But if it has any blemish, lameness, or blindness, any or all evil, you will not sacrifice it to Y^ehowah your God.” (Deut. 15:21). The sacrifice of same is one of the man signs of spiritual adultery in the nation Israel. “But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it to Y^ehowah, for I am a great King,” says Y^ehowah of the armies; “And My name is feared and reverenced among the Gentiles.” (Malachi 1:14).

Translation: ...for that [is] an abomination [to] Y^ehowah your Elohim. The word abomination is a strong word. It is how the Egyptians spoke of the Jews in their land. The Hebrew word is tôwʿêvâh (תּוֹעֵוָה) [pronounced to-ģay-VAWH] and it means, disgusting act, an abomination, abhorrent, abhorrence, an abhorrent act. Strong’s #8441 BDB #1072. In other words, offering an animal with some sort of defect is not simply problematic or not recommended; it is an abomination; it is abhorrent to God.

Deut. 17:1 “You will not offer up to Jehovah your God any ox or lamb on which there is a blemish or defect of any kind, for that would be an abomination to Jehovah your God. The idea behind this is fairly simple. Animal sacrifices represent Jesus Christ to come; they represent His death on the cross. Therefore, they animals must be perfect in appearance to be a proper representation (type) of Christ.

Note in this verse that God does not want our leftovers, our castoffs, our excess. God required from Israel their firstborn and He required it to be perfect. If a farmer/rancher in Israel had anything at all, they had a firstborn—so all Israel was able to give to God.

J. Vernon McGee: When you come to the last book of the Old Testament, you will find that Malachi lists the charges which God brought against His people — the sins that brought His judgment down upon them. The number one charge was that they were offering sick animals to God. Suppose a farmer had a very fine bullock which he had decided to keep. One morning he goes out to his barn lot and finds that this animal is sick. He would say to his boys, "Hustle up, boys; we'll put this bullock in the cart and rush it over to the temple and we'll offer this prize bullock to the Lord." The neighbors would say, "My, my, look at Mr. So-and-So. Isn't he generous! He's giving God that prize bullock." But God, who knows the heart, says, "I will not accept it. Such an offering is absolutely meaningless." 

Many of us have savings accounts—the money which we give to God is a divine savings account. Have you ever had the dream where you amass wealth or certain possessions and when you wake up, they are all gone (you may even experience a tinge of sadness). There are many of us who will gather considerable wealth here on earth, but will not give to the poor or to evangelists or missionaries or to their local church. When they die, they will wake up to see that they no longer have all of these possessions which they collected here on earth. However, for those who have given to support God’s work, they will have amassed riches which will remain with them after they have died. Giving when filled with the Holy Spirit is one act of divine good which follows us into heaven.

So that there is no misunderstanding, as believers, we are to provide for our own. You do not deprive your children so that you can give; on the other hand, there are many things that we give to our children that they really do not need.

Moses, in v. 1, is essentially summarizing Lev. 22:22–24 Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the LORD or give them to the LORD as a food offering on the altar. You may present a bull or a lamb that has a part too long or too short for a freewill offering, but for a vow offering it cannot be accepted. Any animal that has its testicles bruised or crushed or torn or cut you shall not offer to the LORD; you shall not do it within your land,... (ESV) Similar passages include Ex. 12:5 Lev. 1:3 22:20–25 Deut. 15:21 Mal. 1:8, 13–14.

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Evidence Against and Execution of an Idolater

Vv. 2–13 sets up case law precedence. We will find out how idolatry is to be dealt with (vv. 2–5); what evidence is sufficient for conviction (vv. 6–7) (which is applicable elsewhere, even though, in context, it is related to executing idolaters); and what a judge should do if a case comes before him and he cannot come to a just verdict. Most Bibles split this passage up into 2 or 3 sections (or paragraphs).

That the Israelites would appoint judges was presented in the previous chapter. Deut. 16:18–19 "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous. (ESV) In this section, we deal with the idea that, maybe these judges have a case that they are unable to render a judgment on.

What follows in vv. 2–5 is a very long and complex thought. Moses often thought in very complex sentences. The summation of all this is, if anyone is found to be openly worshiping other gods, then they are to be executed. Moses uses about 90 words (in the Hebrew, including prepositions) to describe this situation; which then requires over 150 English words to translate.

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Masoretic Text (Hebrew)        For if he is found in your midst in one of your gates who Y^ehowah your Elohim is giving to you, a man or a woman who is doing the evil in eyes of Y^ehowah your Elohim, to pass over His covenant, and so he goes and so he serves gods [elohim] others and so he bows down to them and to the sun or to the moon or to all a host of the [two] heavens, which I have not mandated; and he has made known to you and you have heard and you have investigated [this] rightly; and behold, true is established the word, has done the abomination the this in Israel; and you have brought forth the man the this or the woman the this who have done the word the evil the this unto your gates—the man or the woman—and you have stoned them with stones and they have died.

Targum of Onkelos                If there be found among you in one of your cities that the Lord your God will give you a man or woman who does what is evil before the Lord your God in transgressing His covenant, and, following after evil desire, shall serve the idols of the Gentiles, and worship them, or the sun, or the moon, or all the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded; and it be told you, and you hear and make inquiry by witnesses fairly; and, behold, if this word be true and certain, that such abomination is wrought among you, then you shall bring forth that man or woman who hath done this evil thing, [p. 611] unto the gate of your house of judgment, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them that they die.

Latin Vulgate                          When there shall be found among you within any of your gates, which the Lord your God shall give you, man or woman that do evil in the sight of the Lord your God, and transgress his covenant, So as to go and serve strange gods, and adore them, the sun and the moon. and all the host of heaven, which I have not commanded: And this is told you, and hearing it you have inquired diligently, and found it to be true, and that the abomination is committed in Israel: You shall bring forth the man or the woman, who have committed that most wicked thing, to the gates of your city, and they shall be stoned.

Peshitta (Syriac)                    If there is found among you, within any of your towns which the LORD your God gives you, a man or a woman who shall do evil in the sight of the LORD your God and transgress his covenant, And shall go and serve other gods and worship them, either the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it is told you, and you shall hear of it, you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true that such an abomination has been committed in Israel; Then you shall bring forth that man or that woman who has committed that wicked thing within your towns, whether he is a man or a woman; and you shall stone him with stones, till he die.

Septuagint (Greek)                And if there should be found in any one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you, a man or a woman who shall do that which is evil before the Lord your God, so as to transgress his covenant, and they should go and serve other gods, and worship them, the sun, or the moon, or any of the host of heaven, which He commanded you not to do, and it be told you, and you shall have enquired diligently, and, behold, the thing really took place, this abomination has been done in Israel; then shall you bring out that man, or that woman, and you shall stone them with stones, and they shall die.

Significant differences:           The Syriac has towns and the Greek has cities rather than gates; but gates can be a metonym for either of those words. The Latin adds the word strange before gods; and has adore rather than bow down (which is a reasonable substitute). The Greek has serve rather than bow down, also a reasonable substitute.

The Hebrew has which I have not commanded; the Greek has He instead (I capitalized it, assuming their reference is to God). The Syriac adds an if before it is true (not found in the Hebrew).

In the final few phrases, man and woman is repeated in the Hebrew, but not in the Greek, Latin or Syriac.

As is to be expected, the targum adds some verbiage, but not as much as it does in other books.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             If there is any man or woman among you, in any of the towns which the Lord your God gives you, who does evil in the eyes of the Lord your God, sinning against his agreement, By becoming a servant of other gods and worshipping them or the sun or the moon or all the stars of heaven, against my orders; If word of this comes to your ears, then let this thing be looked into with care, and if there is no doubt that it is true, and such evil has been done in Israel; Then you are to take the man or woman who has done the evil to the public place of your town, and they are to be stoned with stones till they are dead.

Easy English                          Perhaps a person living in one of your towns may do something bad against the LORD your God. He has not done what he promised to do. He has not obeyed my words, because he has followed other gods. He has obeyed these gods, or he has prayed to the sun, moon or stars. If you hear about this, you must check the report. If this bad thing has happened in Israel, you must take the bad man or woman to the gate of the town. Then you must throw stones at that person until he or she dies.

Easy-to-Read Version–2001  "You might hear about an evil thing that happens in one of the cities that the Lord your God is giving you. You might hear that a man or woman in your group has sinned against the Lord. You might hear that they have broken the Agreement of the Lord--that they have worshiped other gods. Or maybe that they have worshiped the sun, the moon or the stars. That is against the Lord's command that I gave you. If you hear bad news like this, then you must check it carefully. You must learn if it is true that this terrible thing has really happened in Israel. If you prove that it is true, then you must punish the person that did that evil thing. You must take that man or woman out to a public place near the city gates and kill them with stones.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  "You might hear about an evil thing that happens in one of the cities that the LORD your God is giving you. You might hear that a man or woman in your group has sinned against the LORD your God. You might hear that they have broken his agreement or that they have worshiped other gods or maybe the sun, the moon or the stars. I never told you to do that! If you hear bad news like this, you must check it carefully. You must learn if it is true that this terrible thing has really happened in Israel. If you prove that it is true, you must punish the person who did this evil thing. You must take that man or woman out to a public place near the city gates and kill them with stones.

Good News Bible (TEV)         "Suppose you hear that in one of your towns some men or women have sinned against the LORD and broken his covenant by worshiping and serving other gods or the sun or the moon or the stars, contrary to the LORD's command. If you hear such a report, then investigate it thoroughly. If it is true that this evil thing has happened in Israel, then take them outside the town and stone them to death.

The Message                         If you find anyone within the towns that God, your God, is giving you doing what is wrong in God’s eyes, breaking his covenant by going off to worship other gods, bowing down to them—the sun, say, or the moon, or any rebel sky-gods—look at the evidence and investigate carefully. If you find that it is true, that, in fact, an abomination has been committed in Israel, then you are to take the man or woman who did this evil thing outside your city gates and stone the man or the woman. Hurl stones at the person until dead.

Names of God Bible               In one of the cities Yahweh your Elohim is giving you, there may be a man or woman among you who is doing what Yahweh your Elohim considers evil. This person may be disregarding the conditions of Yahweh’s promise by worshiping and bowing down to other gods, the sun, the moon, or the whole army of heaven. I have forbidden this. When you are told about it, investigate it thoroughly. If it’s true and it can be proven that this disgusting thing has been done in Israel, then bring the man or woman who did this evil thing to the gates of your city, and stone that person to death.

NIRV                                      Someone living among you might do what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God. It might happen in one of the towns the Lord is giving you. That person is breaking the Lord’s covenant. The person might have worshiped or bowed down to other gods. That person might have bowed down to the sun or moon or stars in the sky. I have commanded you not to do these things. When you hear that people have done something like that, check the matter out carefully. If it’s true, an evil thing has been done in Israel. The Lord hates that.

New Simplified Bible              »In one of the cities Jehovah your God is giving you, there may be a man or woman among you who is doing what Jehovah considers evil. This person may be disregarding the conditions of Jehovah’s covenant.

»Some worship and bow down to other gods, the sun, the moon, or the whole army of heaven. I have forbidden this.

»If it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,

»Bring that man or woman who has done this evil deed out to your gates. Stone the man or the woman to death.

Thought-for-thought translations; paraphrases:

Common English Bible           Capital punishment

If someone, whether male or female, is found in your community—in one of the cities the Lord your God is giving you—who does evil in the Lord your God’s eyes, by breaking God’s covenant, by following and serving other gods, and by bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly bodies that I haven’t permitted—and you hear news about it, then you must look into this situation very carefully. And if it’s definitely true that this detestable thing was done in Israel, then you must bring out the man or woman who has done this evil thing to the gates of the city. Stone that person until he or she is dead.

Contemporary English V.       The LORD your God is giving you towns to live in. But later, a man or a woman in your town may start worshiping other gods, or even the sun, moon, or stars. I have warned you not to worship other gods, because whoever worships them is disobeying the LORD and breaking the agreement he made with you. So when you hear that someone in your town is committing this disgusting sin, you must carefully find out if that person really is guilty. But you will need two or three witnesses--one witness isn't enough to prove a person guilty. Get rid of those who are guilty of such evil. Take them outside your town gates and have everyone stone them to death. But the witnesses must be the first to throw stones. Vv. 6–7 are included for context.

The Living Bible                     “If anyone, whether man or woman, in any village throughout your land violates your covenant with God by worshiping other gods, the sun, moon, or stars—which I have strictly forbidden—first check the rumor very carefully; if there is no doubt it is true, then that man or woman shall be taken outside the city and shall be stoned to death.

New Berkeley Version           “If there is found among you in one of the towns which the Lord your God is granting you, a man or a woman who is doing evil in the sight of the Lord your God, transgressing His covenant — one who has sought out the served other gods [Israel’s worship of false gods was the major trouble through much of her history.] and bowed down to them, the sun, the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden you, and it is reported to you, then you must make searching inquiry. If the report is true and it is established that this abominable thing has been done in Israel, then you shall bring that man or that woman out to your gates and there stone that man or that woman to death.

New Century Version             A man or woman in one of the towns the Lord gave you might be found doing something evil and breaking the Agreement. That person may have served other gods and bowed down to them or to the sun or moon or stars of the sky, which I have commanded should not be done. If someone has told you about it, you must look into the matter carefully. If it is true that such a hateful thing has happened in Israel, take the man or woman who has done the evil thing to the city gates and throw stones at that person until he dies.

New Life Version                    "You may find among you, within any of your towns the Lord your God gives you, a man or a woman who does what is sinful in the eyes of the Lord your God by sinning against the Lord's agreement. If he has served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon or the stars, which I have told him not to worship, and if someone told you about this, then you should do your best to find out if it is true. If it is true that this hated thing has been done in Israel, then bring that man or woman who has done this sinful act to your gates, and kill the man or woman with stones.

New Living Translation           “When you begin living in the towns the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the Lord your God and violate the covenant. For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden. When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then the man or woman who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          'And if a man or a woman should ever be found among you (in any of the cities that Jehovah your God is giving to you) who chooses to do what is evil before Jehovah and sins against His Sacred Agreement by going and serving other gods, or by worshiping the sun, moon, or any of the stars in the skies (something that He has commanded you not to do), and someone tells you about it; you must inquire about it and investigate to see if this disgusting thing has really happened in IsraEl. [And if so], you must bring that man or woman outside [the city] and stone him/her to death with rocks.

International Standard V        Death to the Idolater

“You may discover that a man or woman living in one of your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you has done evil in the eyes of the LORD your God by transgressing his covenant. He may be following and serving other gods by bowing down to them—that is, to the sun, the moon, or to any of the heavenly host (something I did not command). When it is reported to you or you hear of it, then investigate it thoroughly. When the truth has been established that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, summon the man or the woman who did this evil thing to your city gates. Then stone the man or the woman to death.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       It may be that, in one of the cities the Lord thy God gives thee, men and women of thy race will be found so defiant, so false to his covenant, that they will forsake him, and enslave themselves to the worship of other gods, the sun and the moon and all the host of heaven, in contempt of my commandment. If this news is brought to thee, make careful enquiry into what thou hast heard; and if it proves that the report was true, and the foul deed was done among thy fellow-Israelites, away with such recreant men or women to the city gate; there let them be killed by stoning.

Today’s NIV                          If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of his covenant, and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky, and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.

Translation for Translators                                           Punishment for idolatry

“When you are living in any of the towns in the land that Yahweh our God is giving to you, suppose there is some man or woman who sins by disobeying the agreement that Yahweh has made with you. Suppose that person has worshiped and served other gods, or the sun, or the moon, or the stars. If someone tells you that some person has been doing that, you must investigate it thoroughly. If you find out that it is true that this detestable thing has happened in Israel, you must take outside the town the man or woman who has done it. Then you must kill that person by throwing stones at him or her.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                If there should come out from any of your villages which your Ever- living God gives you, a man or a woman who does wrong in the sight of the Ever-living by slighting His Covenant, and going and serving other gods, and worshipping them, — or the sun, or the moon, or any of the hosts of the skies contrary to my command, — and it is reported to you ; when you hear it, then you should enquire carefully, and if the truth of the thing is confirmed, that such an outrage has been done in Israel, you shall bring out that man or that woman, who have done that wicked thing, in the village of the man or woman, and stone them to death with stones.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           If there be found among you in any of your cities which the Lord your God gives you man or woman that has wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord your God, that they have gone beyond his appointment, so that they have gone and served strange gods and worshiped them, whether it be the son or moon or anything contained in heaven which I forbade, and it was told you and you have heard of it: Then you shall enquire diligently. And if it be true and the thing of a surety that such abomination is wrought in Israel, then you shall bring forth that man or that woman which have committed that wicked thing, unto your gates and shall stone them with stones and they shall die. At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is worthy of death, die: but at the mouth of one witness he shall not die. And the hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to kill him, and afterward the hands of all the people: so shall you put wickedness away from you.

Lexham English Bible            If there is found in one of your towns that Yahweh your God is giving to you a man or a woman that does evil in the eyes of Yahweh your God to transgress his covenant and by going and serving other gods and so he bows down to them and to the sun or to the moon or to any of the host of heaven which I have forbidden, and it is reported to you or you hear about it and you enquire about it thoroughly and, indeed, the trustworthiness of the deed has been established, it has occurred, this detestable thing, in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates; that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them with stones to death.

NIV, ©2011                             If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of his covenant, and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky, and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  If there is among you, in any of the cities which Yahweh will give you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of Yahweh to the point of breaking his covenant, if they go to serve other gods and bow before them¡ªto the sun, or the moon, or the stars of heaven¡ªwhich I have forbidden, and this has been reported to you or you learn of it, you shall begin to investigate the matter well. If you have proved that this abomination has indeed been committed in Israel, you shall bring to the gates of the city that man or woman who committed the misdeed, and you shall stone him or her to death.

The Heritage Bible                 If there comes to be in your midst, within any of your gates which Jehovah, your God, gives you, man or woman who has done evil in the eyes of Jehovah, your God, in crossing over against his covenant, And has walked and served other gods, and has prostrated himself to them, the sun, or moon, or any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded, And it stands out boldly to you, and you have attentively heard, and treaded seeking well, and behold, it is true, and the word is set up, this abomination is done in Israel, Then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done that evil word to your gates, that man or that woman, and you shall stone them with stones, and they shall die.

New American Bible—2001     "If there is found among you, in any one of the communities which the LORD, your God, gives you, a man or a woman who does evil in the sight of the LORD, your God, and transgresses his covenant, by serving other gods, or by worshiping the sun or the moon or any of the host of the sky, against my command; and if, on being informed of it, you find by careful investigation that it is true and an established fact that this abomination has been committed in Israel: you shall bring the man (or woman) who has done the evil deed out to your city gates and stone him to death. Out to your city gates: outside the gates in an unclean place; cf ⇒ Lev 24:14; ⇒ Numbers 15:36; ⇒ Acts 7:58; ⇒ Hebrews 13:12.

New American Bible (2011)   If there is found in your midst [Dt 13:2–19.], in any one of the communities which the LORD, your God, gives you, a man or a woman who does evil in the sight of the LORD, your God, and transgresses his covenant [Jos 7:11, 15; 23:16; Jgs 2:20; 2 Kgs 18:12; Jer 34:18; Hos 6:7; 8:1.], by going to serve other gods, by bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, contrary to my command [Dt 4:19; 2 Kgs 17:16; 21:3; 23:5; Jer 8:2; Ez 8:16.]; and if you are told or hear of it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the truth of the matter is established that this abomination has been committed in Israel, you shall bring the man or the woman who has done this evil deed out to your gates and stone the man or the woman to death. Out to your gates: outside the gates, so as not to defile the city; cf. Lv 24:14; Nm 15:36; Acts 7:58; Heb 13:12.

New Jerusalem Bible             'If there is anyone, man or woman, among you in any of the towns given you by Yahweh your God, who does what is wrong in the eyes of Yahweh your God by violating his covenant, who goes and serves other gods and worships them, or the sun or the moon or any of heaven's array -- a thing I have forbidden- and this person is denounced to you: if after careful enquiry it is found true and confirmed that this hateful thing has been done in Israel, you must take the man or woman guilty of this evil deed outside your city gates, and there you must stone that man or woman to death.

Revised English Bible            Should there be found among you, in any of the settlements which the LORD your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is wrong in the eyes of the LORD your God, by violating his covenant and going to serve other gods, prostrating himself before them or before the sun and moon and all the host of heaven -- a thing that I have forbidden -- then, if it is reported to you or you hear of it, make careful enquiry. If the report proves to be true, and it is confirmed that this abominable thing has been done in Israel, then bring the man or woman who has done this wicked deed to the gate of the town to be stoned to death.

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           “If there is found among you, within any of your gates [in any city] that Adonai your God gives you, a man or woman who does what Adonai your God sees as wicked, transgressing his covenant by going and serving other gods and worshipping them, the sun, the moon, or anything in the sky — something I have forbidden — and it is told to you, or you hear about it; then you are to investigate the matter diligently. If it is true, if it is confirmed that such detestable things are being done in Isra’el; then you are to bring the man or woman who has done this wicked thing to your city gates, and stone that man or woman to death.

exeGeses companion Bible   THE TORAH ON APOSTATES

If there be found among you,

within any one of thy gates portals

which the LORD Yah Veh thy God Elohim giveth thee,

man or woman,

that hath wrought wickedness worked evil

in the sight eyes of the LORD Yah Veh thy God Elohim ,

in transgressing trespassing his covenant,

And hath gone and served other gods elohim ,

and worshipped prostrated to them,

either the sun, or moon,

or any of the host of heaven the heavens ,

which I have not commanded misvahed ;

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it,

and enquired diligently well , and, behold,

it be true truth , and the thing certain word established ,

that such abomination abhorrence

is wrought worked in Israel Yisra El :

Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman,

which have committed worked

that wicked thing evil word ,

unto thy gates portals ,

even that man or that woman,

and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.

JPS (Tanakh—1985)               If there is found among you, in one of the settlements that the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman who has affronted the Lord your God and transgressed His covenant— turning to the worship of other gods and bowing down to them, to the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, something I never commanded— and you have been informed or have learned of it, then you shall make a thorough inquiry. If it is true, the fact is established, that abhorrent thing was perpetrated in Israel, you shall take the man or the woman who did that wicked thing out to the public place, and you shall stone them, man or woman, to death.

Kaplan Translation                 Penalties for Idolatry

[This is what you must do] when you discover a man or woman doing evil in the eyes of God your Lord in one of the settlements that God your Lord is giving you. [That person] will have violated [God's] covenant

by going and worshiping or bowing down to the sun, moon or other heavenly bodies, whose [worship] I prohibited [Literally, 'which I did not command.'].

When it is told to you, you must listen and carefully interrogate [the witnesses]. If the accusation is established [Nakhon in Hebrew; see Deuteronomy 13:15. Or, 'if the testimony [of the two witnesses] matches' (Rashi; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah).] to be true, and this revolting practice has been done in Israel,

you shall take that man or woman who did the wicked act out to your gates [That is, the gate of the city where the sin was committed. However, if the majority of the city's population were gentile idolators, the penalty would be carried out within the confines of the court (Kethuvoth 45b; Yad, Sanhedrin 15:2; cf. Targum; Rashi; Sifri; HaKethav VeHaKabbalah).]. You shall then pelt the man or woman to death with stones.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           If there be found among you, within any of thy she’arim which Hashem Eloheicha giveth thee, ish or isha, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of Hashem Eloheicha, in transgressing His Brit,

And hath gone and served elohim acherim, and worshiped them, either the shemesh, or yarei’ach, or any of the tz’vah HaShomayim, which I have not commanded;

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, hinei, it be emes, and the thing nakhon (certain, correct), that such to’evah (abomination) is wrought in Yisrael,

Then shalt thou bring forth that ish or that isha, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy she’arim, even that ish or that isha, and shalt stone them with avanim, till they die.

The Scriptures 1998              “When there is found in your midst, in any of your cities which יהוה your Elohim is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the eyes of יהוה your Elohim, in transgressing His covenant, and has gone and served other mighty ones and bowed down to them, or to the sun or to the moon or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded, and it has been made known to you and you have heard, and has searched diligently. Then see, if true: the matter is confirmed that such an abomination has been done in Yisra’ĕl, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil matter, and you shall stone to death that man or woman with stones.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                “If there is discovered among you, within any of your cities, which the Lord your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does evil in the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing (violating) His covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, [doing these things] which I have commanded not to do, and if it is told to you and you hear about it, then you shall investigate thoroughly [all the charges]. If it is confirmed beyond doubt that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then you shall bring that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to the gates [of your city] and you shall stone the man or the woman to death.

The Expanded Bible              A man or woman in one of the ·towns [^Lgates] the Lord gave you might be found doing something evil in the ·sight [^Leyes] of the Lord your God and ·breaking [transgressing] the ·Agreement [Covenant; Treaty]. That person may have served other gods and bowed down to them or to the sun or moon or ·stars of the sky [any of the host of heaven], which I have commanded should not be done [4:19]. If someone has told you about it, you must look into the matter carefully. If it is true that such a ·hateful [detestable; abhorrent; abominable] thing has happened in Israel, take the man or woman who has done the evil thing to the city gates and ·throw stones at [stone] that person until he dies.

Kretzmann’s Commentary    If there be found among you, within any of thy gates, in any city, that is, anywhere in the entire country, which the Lord, thy God, giveth thee, man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord, thy God, in transgressing His covenant, in setting aside any of the fundamental terms of the alliance which was in force between Jehovah and His people,

and hath gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, thus overthrowing the basic precept of the covenant Law, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, the worship which was the curse of the heathen nations, Deut. 4:19, which I have not commanded;

and it be told thee, announcement being made to the proper authorities, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, made a most careful investigation, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel, Deut. 13:12-14,

then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman which have committed that wicked thing unto thy gates, to the open space within the city gates where court was held, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones till they die. The execution was made outside the gates of the city, Lev. 24:14; Num. 15:36; Acts 7:58; Heb. 13:12.

NET Bible®                             Suppose a man or woman is discovered among you – in one of your villages [Heb “gates.”] that the Lord your God is giving you – who sins before the Lord your God [Heb “does the evil in the eyes of the Lord your God.”] and breaks his covenant by serving other gods and worshiping them – the sun, moon, or any other heavenly bodies which I have not permitted you to worship [“which I have not commanded you.” The words “to worship” are supplied in the translation for clarification.]. When it is reported to you and you hear about it, you must investigate carefully. If it is indeed true that such a disgraceful thing9 is being done in Israel, you must bring to your city gates [Heb “gates.”] that man or woman who has done this wicked thing – that very man or woman – and you must stone that person to death [Heb “stone them with stones so that they die” (KJV similar); NCV “throw stones at that person until he dies.”].

The Voice                               What if, in one of the towns the Eternal your God is giving you, a man or a woman does what He considers wrong and breaks His covenant by going and worshiping other gods, bowing down to them or the sun or moon or stars (which I’ve never commanded you to do)? If you discover this, if someone tells you about it, or if you hear about it; then conduct a careful investigation. If you establish conclusively that the report is true, that such a horrible thing has been done within Israel, then bring the man or woman who has done this evil thing out to the gates of your town, and stone that man or woman to death.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Concordant Literal Version    In case there should be found among you, within one of your gates which Yahweh your Elohim is giving to you, a man or a woman who does evil in the eyes of Yahweh your Elohim so as to trespass against His covenant, and he goes and serves other elohim and bows himself down to them or to the sun or to the moon or to any of the host of the heavens, something that I have instructed not to do, and it has been told to you and you have heard it, then you will inquire diligently. And behold, if the truth of the matter is established that this abhorrence was done in Israel, then you must bring forth that man or that woman who did this evil thing to your gates, the man or the woman, and you will stone them with stones so that they die.

Context Group Version          If there is found in the midst of you, inside any of your gates which YHWH your God gives you, man or woman, that does that which is evil in the sight of YHWH your God, in transgressing his covenant, and has gone and served other gods, and bowed down in deference to them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the army of the skies { or heavens }, which I haven't commanded; and it is told to you, and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire diligently; and see if it is true, and the thing certain, that such a disgusting thing is produced in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman, who has done this evil thing, to your gates, even the man or the woman; and you shall stone them to death with stones.

NASB                                     “If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the Lord your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, by transgressing His covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded, and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly. Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death.

New King James Version       “If there is found among you, within any of your gates which the Lord your God gives you, a man or a woman who has been wicked in the sight of the Lord your God, in transgressing His covenant, who has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded, 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, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has committed that wicked thing, and shall stone to death that man or woman with stones.

Young’s Updated LT             “When there is found in your midst, in one of your cities which Jehovah your God is giving to you, a man or a woman who does the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah your God by transgressing His covenant, and he does go and serve other gods, and does bow himself to them, and to the sun, or to the moon, or to any of the host of the heavens, which I have not commanded—and it has been declared to you, and you have heard, and have searched diligently, and lo, truth; the thing is established; this abomination has been done in Israel—Then you have brought out that man, or that woman, who has done this evil thing, unto your gates—the man or the woman—and you have stoned them with stones, and they have died.

The gist of this passage:     If anyone is discovered to be worshiping false gods, then they must be put to death.

Translation: When [one] is found in your midst, in one of your cities [lit., gates] that Y^ehowah your Elohim will give to you,... This can be understood in two ways—gates is a metonym for cities; or this could be simply translated within your gates. That would mean, in the city proper.

At this point in time, the Israelites do not have any cities yet. The people of Israel are east of the Jordan listening to Moses teach them. So, these are cities that God would give to them when they go into the land to take it, which invasion is but weeks into the future.

Translation: ...a man or a woman who is doing evil in the sight of Y^ehowah your Elohim,... The concern is over a man or a woman who might be doing evil in the sight of Jehovah. Moses will then define exactly what this evil is that they are doing.

Matthew Poole: [T]he weakness and tenderness of that sex shall not excuse her sin, nor prevent her punishment.

Translation: ...to violate His covenant;... God has a covenant with the people of Israel: “They will be My people and I will be their God.” This is a two-way relationship that God establishes out of grace.

The specific evil deed which is referred to in this passage is to go against the Law of God. Like many if-then verses in the Bible, the protasis and the apodosis are split up.