Bible Strands

Deuteronomy 17:4

and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses instructs the judges and community leaders on the proper procedure for handling a reported case of idolatry immediately after defining the offense in verse 3.

The words — The Hebrew verb דָּרַשׁ (darash) means "investigate," modified by הֵיטֵב (heitav) to command a thorough examination. This pairs with נָכֹן (nakon), meaning "certain" or "established," to confirm the factual basis required before action.

The thread — The requirement to verify reports before acting appears in Deuteronomy 19:18 and is later referenced in John 7:51 as a foundational legal standard. Deuteronomy 13:12 introduces the scenario of a city-wide rumor but defers the investigation to a later verse.

Why it lands — The text demands that leaders establish factual certainty through careful inquiry before executing judgment. It requires readers to prioritize verified evidence over unconfirmed accusations.

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

וְהֻֽגַּד־ve./hu.gad-and/ it will be toldלְךָ֖le./Khato <the>/ youוְשָׁמָ֑עְתָּve./sha.Ma.'e.taand/ you will hearוְדָרַשְׁתָּ֣ve./da.rash.Taand/ you will investigateהֵיטֵ֔בhei.Tevthoroughly <do well>וְהִנֵּ֤הve./hi.Nehand/ there!אֱמֶת֙'e.Mettruthנָכ֣וֹןna.Khon[is] certainהַדָּבָ֔רha./da.Varthe/ matterנֶעֶשְׂתָ֛הne.'es.Tahit has been doneהַתּוֹעֵבָ֥הha./to.'e.Vahthe/ abominationהַזֹּ֖אתha./Zot<the>/ thisבְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃be./Yis.ra.'Elin/ Israel

King James Version

And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:

Cross-references