Deu 17:8-9 | NETfull | STEP | If a matter is too difficult for you to judge – bloodshed, legal claim, or assault – matters of controversy in your villages – you must leave there and go up to the place the Lord your God chooses.

Deuteronomy 17:8-9

Appeal to a Higher Court

8 If a matter is too difficult for you to judge – bloodshed, ^{▼▼ Heb “between blood and blood.”} legal claim, ^{▼▼ Heb “between claim and claim.”} or assault ^{▼▼ Heb “between blow and blow.”} – matters of controversy in your villages ^{▼▼ Heb “gates.”} – you must leave there and go up to the place the Lord your God chooses. ^{▼▼ Several Greek recensions add “to place his name there,” thus completing the usual formula to describe the central sanctuary (cf. Deut 12:5, 11, 14, 18; 16:6). However, the context suggests that the local Levitical towns, and not the central sanctuary, are in mind.} 9 You will go to the Levitical priests and the judge in office in those days and seek a solution; they will render a verdict.