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Deuteronomy 17:18

God's wordAuthority and leadership

16 But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’

17 He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.

When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.

19 It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes.

20 Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.
KJV
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
WEB
It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical priests.
ASV
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:
DARBY
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests, the Levites;
BLB
And it shall come to pass, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book from the one before the faces of the priests, the Levites.
ÅB
Når han så sitter på sin kongetrone, da skal han få denne lov hos de levittiske prester og la den skrive av for seg i en bok.
OTB
Når han tar tronen i sitt rike, skal han skrive for seg selv på en bokrull en kopi av denne loven, tatt fra bokrullen som holdes av de levittiske prestene.
B1930
Når han så sitter på sin kongetrone, da skal han få denne lov hos de levittiske prester og la den skrive av for sig i en bok.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Chronicles 34:15

    And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan.

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  • 2 Kings 11:12

    Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 31:24–26

    When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end,

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 22:8

    Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 31:9

    So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

    Read in context