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Deuteronomy 17:15 - Jewish king, not foreigner: why?

Deuteronomy 17:15 - דברים 17:15

Hebrew Text

שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ מִקֶּרֶב אַחֶיךָ תָּשִׂים עָלֶיךָ מֶלֶךְ לֹא תוּכַל לָתֵת עָלֶיךָ אִישׁ נָכְרִי אֲשֶׁר לֹא־אָחִיךָ הוּא׃

English Translation

then thou mayst appoint a king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set as king over thee: thou mayst not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy brother.

Transliteration

Som tasim alecha melech asher yivchar Adonai Elohecha bo mikerev achecha tasim alecha melech lo tuchal latet alecha ish nochri asher lo-achicha hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

שׂ֣וֹם תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בּ֑וֹ מִקֶּ֣רֶב אַחֶ֗יךָ תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ לֹ֣א תוּכַ֗ל לָתֵ֤ת עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אִ֣ישׁ נׇכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־אָחִ֖יךָ הֽוּא׃
שׂ֣וֹם תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַ֛ר יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בּ֑וֹ מִקֶּ֣רֶב אַחֶ֗יךָ תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ לֹ֣א תוּכַ֗ל לָתֵ֤ת עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ אִ֣ישׁ נׇכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־אָחִ֖יךָ הֽוּא׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Mitzvah of Appointing a Jewish King

The verse (Devarim 17:15) establishes the mitzvah of appointing a king over Israel, with specific conditions regarding his identity. Rashi explains that this commandment is not optional but obligatory, as derived from the double language "שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים" ("you shall surely set"). The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 1:1) codifies this as one of the 613 mitzvos.

Divine Selection of the King

The phrase "אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בּוֹ" ("whom the Lord your God shall choose") indicates that the appointment must align with divine will. The Sifri explains that this refers to the selection through a prophet, as seen when Shmuel appointed Shaul and later David. The king must be chosen through proper semicha (ordination) and divine guidance.

Prohibition Against a Foreign King

The Torah explicitly forbids appointing "אִישׁ נָכְרִי" ("a foreigner"). The Ramban explains this includes both:

  • Non-Jews (even converts, according to some opinions)
  • Jews who have abandoned Torah observance and adopted foreign ways

The Kli Yakar emphasizes that a king must be "מִקֶּרֶב אַחֶיךָ" ("from among your brethren") to ensure he shares the spiritual values and national destiny of the Jewish people.

Halachic Requirements for a Jewish King

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b) derives from this verse that a king must meet specific qualifications:

  • Male descendant of Israel (excluding women from kingship)
  • From the tribe of Yehudah (after David's dynasty was established)
  • Torah-observant and committed to Jewish law

The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 497) explains that a Jewish king ensures the nation will be properly governed according to Torah principles.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 20b
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws regarding the appointment of a king in Israel, emphasizing that the king must be chosen by God and from among the brethren, not a foreigner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 17:15 mean about appointing a king?
A: Deuteronomy 17:15 teaches that when the Jewish people appoint a king, he must be chosen by Hashem and must be from among their fellow Jews ('from among thy brethren'). The Torah prohibits appointing a foreigner ('a stranger who is not thy brother') as king over Israel. Rashi explains that this ensures the king follows Torah values and leads the nation in accordance with Jewish law.
Q: Why does the Torah say the king must be Jewish?
A: The Torah requires the king to be Jewish to ensure he follows the laws and values of the Torah. A non-Jewish king might lead the nation away from Torah observance or impose foreign beliefs. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 1:4) emphasizes that the king must uphold Torah law and guide the people in serving Hashem, which is only possible if he is part of the Jewish nation.
Q: Does this verse mean Israel must have a king?
A: No, this verse does not command Israel to appoint a king, but rather permits it under specific conditions. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b) discusses that appointing a king was optional, as the verse says 'then thou mayst appoint' (שׁוֹם תָּשִׂים), not 'thou must.' However, if they do appoint one, he must be chosen by Hashem and must be Jewish.
Q: How was a king 'chosen by Hashem' in Jewish tradition?
A: A king was chosen through prophecy or the Sanhedrin (Jewish high court) guided by divine wisdom. For example, King Saul and King David were anointed by the prophet Samuel, acting as Hashem's messenger. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b) explains that the appointment had to align with Torah principles and the needs of the nation under divine guidance.
Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: This verse teaches the importance of Jewish leadership that remains faithful to Torah values. Even today, whether in communal or spiritual leadership, Jewish tradition emphasizes choosing leaders who uphold Torah principles and guide the people in righteousness. The Sforno adds that a leader must be 'from among thy brethren'—someone who understands and shares the nation's spiritual mission.