Verse MeaningDeuteronomySome background helps
Deuteronomy 17:14: Meaning Explained
When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein,...
Deuteronomy 17:14
“When thou art come unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me;”
What Does This Verse Mean?
When you settle in the promised land, you might want a king like the other nations around you have. This is allowed by God.
What’s Happening Here
Even though Israel was God's people and He would guide them, God allowed them to choose a human king. This happened later when they asked for King Saul.
Key Words
possesstake ownership of land and live there
nations round aboutother countries neighboring them
Why It Matters
God respects human choice, even when people choose things that might not be best. God gave Israel the freedom to make mistakes.
Did You Know?
Centuries later, the Israelites did ask for a king and got King Saul, which didn't work out well at first.
Word Study
H935
When thou art comeתָבֹ֣א
H776
unto the landהָאָ֗רֶץ
H3068
which the LORDיְהוָ֤ה
H430
thy Godאֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙
H5414
givethנֹתֵ֣ן
H3423
thee and shalt possessוִֽירִשְׁתָּ֖הּ
H3427
it and shalt dwellוְיָשַׁ֣בְתָּה
H559
therein and shalt sayוְאָֽמַרְתָּ֗
H7760
I will setאָשִׂ֤ימָה
H4428
a kingמֶ֔לֶךְ
H1471
over me like as all the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֖ם
H5439
that are aboutסְבִֽיבֹתָֽי׃
Cross References
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Read Deuteronomy 17:14 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.