Deuteronomy 1:17

Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the Israelites on the plains of Moab, recounting his past charge to the judges he appointed over the community. He clarifies that judicial authority belongs to God, not to human influence, and establishes a protocol for handling complex cases.

The words — The Hebrew phrase תַכִּ֨ירוּ פָנִ֜ים (ta.Ki.ru fa.Nim) literally means "you will pay regard to faces," denoting the act of showing partiality based on status or appearance. The text pairs this with כַּ/קָּטֹ֤ן כַּ/גָּדֹל (ka./ka.Ton ka./ga.Dol), commanding equal consideration for both the small and the great.

The thread — This judicial standard reappears in Deuteronomy 16:19 and traces back to the case-management system instituted in Exodus 18:26. The New Testament applies the same principle in James 2:9, identifying favoritism as a direct violation of the law.

Why it lands — The text commands judges to render decisions based solely on divine authority and case facts, explicitly forbidding intimidation or bias toward any party. Readers must apply this standard by evaluating matters objectively and refusing to let social standing or pressure dictate outcomes.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

לֹֽא־lo'-not תַכִּ֨ירוּta.Ki.ruyou will pay regard to פָנִ֜יםfa.Nimfaces בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗טba./mish.Patin <the>/ judgment כַּקָּטֹ֤ןka./ka.Tonas the/ small כַּגָּדֹל֙ka./ga.Dolas the/ great תִּשְׁמָע֔וּןtish.ma.'U/nyou will listen/ !לֹ֤אlo'not תָג֙וּרוּ֙ta.Gu.ruyou will be afraid מִפְּנֵי־mi./pe.nei-of/ <the face of>אִ֔ישׁ'Ishanyone כִּ֥יkifor הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖טha./mish.Patthe/ judgment לֵאלֹהִ֣יםle./lo.Him[belongs] to/ God ה֑וּאHu'it וְהַדָּבָר֙ve./ha./da.Varand/ the/ matter אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhich יִקְשֶׁ֣הyik.Shehit will be [too] hardמִכֶּ֔םmi./Kemfor/ youתַּקְרִב֥וּןtak.ri.Vu/nyou will bring near/ !אֵלַ֖י'e.La/ito/ me וּשְׁמַעְתִּֽיו׃u./she.ma'.Ti/vand/ I will hear/ it

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 16:19 Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
Exodus 18:26 And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.
James 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
Leviticus 19:15 You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.
2 Chronicles 19:6 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment.
Proverbs 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good.
Exodus 18:22 Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.
James 2:1 My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.