Deuteronomy 1:17

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.

Deuteronomy 1:17 (KJV)

Context

This verse comes from Moses’ address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they entered the Promised Land. Moses is recounting how he appointed leaders and judges to help administer justice among the people, and he is giving them the principles that must govern their service.

Meaning

The verse begins with a command against partiality: “Ye shall not respect persons in judgment.” This forbids showing favouritism based on social status, wealth, or influence. The judges are to treat the small and the great alike, because every person stands equal before God’s law.

Moses then instructs the judges to “hear the small as well as the great.” This requires attentive listening to all parties in a dispute, regardless of their position. A fair hearing is the foundation of a just decision, and the poor or powerless must not be overlooked.

The command “ye shall not be afraid of the face of man” addresses the pressure that powerful people can bring. Judges must not be intimidated by threats, status, or the possibility of retaliation. Their duty is to uphold God’s standards, not to please influential people.

Moses grounds this fearlessness in a profound truth: “for the judgment is God’s.” Human judges act as God’s representatives, administering justice according to His principles. Because the authority and ultimate responsibility belong to God, judges can act with courage, knowing that they answer to Him rather than to human opinion.

Finally, Moses provides for difficult cases: “the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.” This acknowledges the limits of human wisdom and establishes a system of appeal. When a case exceeds a judge’s ability, he should seek help from those with greater authority or experience. This models humility and the wise use of counsel.

Biblical connections

The principle that judgment belongs to God appears elsewhere in Scripture. In 2 Chronicles 19:6, Jehoshaphat charges judges to act carefully, “for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD.” This directly reinforces Moses’ statement that the judgment is God’s, showing that later leaders applied the same standard.

Application

These principles extend beyond formal courts. Parents, employers, church leaders, and anyone in a position of authority are called to impartiality. Every person deserves a fair hearing, and decisions should be made without fear of human pressure. When a matter is beyond our ability, wisdom requires us to seek help rather than to act alone.

Reflection

Because judgment belongs to God, those who judge on earth carry a sacred trust. This verse invites us to examine our own hearts: do we favour the influential and overlook the weak? Do we fear human opinion more than God’s approval? The call to impartial justice is ultimately a call to reflect God’s own character, who shows no partiality and hears the cry of the lowly.