Deuteronomy 17:16 Meaning and Explanation
“But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king must not amass horses or lead Israel back to Egypt to acquire them, since Egypt's bondage is closed forever.
The Context of Deuteronomy 17:16
Limitation on royal military power: the king must not multiply horses.
What Does Deuteronomy 17:16 Mean?
Horses were the technology of war and power in the ancient world. A king accumulating horses would build military strength independent of God's protection. This law curtails the king's ability to establish himself as an autonomous military power separate from the covenant community.
Returning to Egypt to get horses symbolizes rejecting the exodus and God's liberation. Egypt represents the house of bondage Israel left behind. The law's reference to never returning makes clear: the covenant people's security comes from God's faithfulness, not from military hardware or nostalgia for foreign alliances.
Deuteronomy 17:16 in the Original Language
sus (סוּס), 'horses' — symbols of military might and power; the law limits the king's independent military ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 17:16
What does Deuteronomy 17:16 mean?
The king must not amass horses or lead Israel back to Egypt to acquire them, since Egypt's bondage is closed forever.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 17:16?
Limitation on royal military power: the king must not multiply horses.