Deuteronomy 17:11 Meaning: Obeying Authority Without Betraying God
According to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do. You shall not turn away from the sentence which they announce to you, to the right hand, nor to the left.
According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
according to the tenor of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do; thou shalt not turn aside from the sentence which they shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
`According to the tenor of the law which they direct thee, and according to the judgment which they say to thee thou dost do; thou dost not turn aside from the word which they declare to thee, right or left.
according to the sentence of the law which they shall declare unto thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the word which they shall declare unto thee, to the right hand, or the left.
Meaning in one sentence
This verse commands strict obedience to the rulings of Israel's highest judges.
Context
This verse sits in the middle of Moses' instructions about how Israel should handle difficult legal cases once they settle in Canaan. Local judges, appointed in every town, were to decide everyday disputes. But some cases were too hard to resolve, matters of life and death, complex property claims, or injuries without clear witnesses. For those, people were to travel to the sanctuary, where priests and a judge together would give a final verdict. Verse 11 tells the people to obey that verdict completely, without turning aside to the right or left. It is part of a larger passage (Deuteronomy 17:8, 13) that established a judicial appeals system, aiming to bring unity and justice under God's law.
Key Words
The Hebrew behind this verse uses three words that deepen its meaning. First, the phrase ‘al-pi, literally 'according to the mouth of the law.' The word pi (mouth) pictures the law as something that speaks through the judges. Their authority does not come from themselves; they are to be a voice for God's instruction. Second, the verb ta-sur (you shall turn aside) carries the force of deliberately stepping off a path. It is the same word used in Deuteronomy 5:32: 'You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left.' The image is of a narrow road where even a small detour is a departure. Third, the word for 'law' is torah, which means teaching or direction, not merely a list of rules. Together, these words show that the call to obey is grounded in the conviction that the judges are passing on God's own teaching. When that is true, the people must stay on the path set by that teaching.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have wrestled with how far this command applies. Catholic interpreters have seen in it a foundation for the teaching authority of the Church, a living court that resolves disputes about Scripture and tradition. Many Protestant commentators emphasize the condition that the judges must teach 'the law' (torah); their authority depends on faithfulness to God's written word. John Gill noted that they were not to make new law but to teach what God had already given. Others, like the medieval rabbi Rashi, said the verse required obedience even if they called left right, a view most Christians reject, pointing to Acts 5:29: 'We must obey God rather than men.' The passage itself seems to allow for accountability: the judges must teach the law, and the people must follow it.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that this verse demands unquestioning obedience to any religious authority, even if it contradicts Scripture. In fact, the verse begins with 'according to the decisions of the law which they shall teach you.' The judges' authority is derivative: they must teach the law, not their own opinions. The command to obey is contingent on their fidelity to God's word. Blind obedience is not the point, faithful adherence to God's teaching through proper channels is.
Living This Out
This week, you may face a situation where you need to make a decision and you seek advice from someone you trust, a pastor, a wise friend, a counselor. This verse asks you to listen with humility and not to second-guess every point because you wanted a different answer. But it also asks you to know the law yourself, so you can recognise when the advice aligns with Scripture. Before you accept guidance, quietly ask: does this reflect what God has already said in His Word? If yes, follow it closely. If something seems off, seek clarification, not rebellion. The goal is not blind submission but faithful walking on the path God has marked.
Main takeaway: God provides authorities to guide us, but their authority depends on faithfully teaching His Word, not on their own opinion.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you don't know what to do, it is good to ask a grown-up who knows God's rules. God wants you to listen to them and do what they say, as long as it matches what the Bible teaches.
For ages 9, 12
Sometimes you face problems that are hard to solve, a disagreement with a friend, or something that seems unfair. God tells us to seek advice from wise people who know His Word. But He also wants you to know the Bible yourself, so you can tell if someone is teaching something different from what God says. Obedience to God comes first, and He gives us leaders to help us, not to take His place.
Questions People Ask
Does this verse mean we must always obey church leaders without question?
No, because the verse says the judges must teach 'the law' (torah). Their authority is not absolute, it is tied to their faithfulness to God's revealed word. Christians have always held that when human authority contradicts Scripture, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). This passage calls for humble submission to lawful teaching, not blind submission to error.
What does 'to the right hand nor to the left' mean?
It is a Hebrew idiom meaning 'do not deviate at all.' It paints a picture of a straight path: even small turns away from the instruction are forbidden. The same phrase appears in Deuteronomy 5:32, Joshua 1:7, and Proverbs 4:27, always urging complete faithfulness to God's commands.
Who were the priests and judges in this passage?
The priests were Levites who served at the central sanctuary. The judge was a lay person, likely a respected elder or civil leader. Together they formed a supreme court for Israel, handling cases too difficult for local courts. This mix of priestly and civil authority was unique, as noted in commentaries.
How does this verse apply to Christians today if we don't have a central sanctuary?
Many Christians see the principle behind the command, to seek wise, God-directed counsel for difficult decisions and to submit to that counsel when it aligns with Scripture, as ongoing. The specific system of appeals is not replicated, but the heart of the instruction remains: God provides leaders to help us apply His Word, and we should listen to them humbly.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study