Definition: The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Deuteronomy 17:7. It’s a pretty serious one, but we can understand it in a straightforward way. Here's what it means: The Basic Idea: This verse is about justice and protecting the innocent. It speaks to how a community or group should handle those who have committed wrongdoing. Let’s unpack it word by word: “The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death…” – This means that before any punishment, anyone involved in harming or wronging others must be held accountable for their actions. It's about establishing a process of justice – we need to understand what happened and take action. “…and afterward the hands of all the people.” - This is where it gets powerful. After the punishment (like death) has been carried out, everyone who is involved in the wrongdoing – those who were complicit or benefited from it – must also be held accountable. It's not just about the person who was punished, but everyone who was part of the problem. “So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.” - This is the core message. The verse basically says that the evil – the wrong doing – must be removed from the community so it doesn’t continue to harm or threaten others. It's about preventing future wrongdoing. In simpler terms, it means: "Don't just punish the offender; make sure everyone involved is held responsible for their actions as well." It emphasizes that justice isn't just about punishing the guilty, but also about protecting and removing the harmful elements from the community so it can thrive peacefully. Important Context (Briefly): This verse comes from a time when the Israelites were facing challenges – they weren’t always fair or righteous. This was a time of needing to establish clear standards and ensure accountability for their actions. It's a call for a just and disciplined community. Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you an example of how it might be used in a story or situation?