King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that [the judges] may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"If people have a dispute, seek its resolution in court, and the judges render a decision in favor of the righteous one and condemning the wicked one;
Berean Standard Bible:
If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
American Standard Version:
If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, and the judges judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
If there be a controversy{H7379} between men{H582}, and they come{H5066} unto judgment{H4941}, that the judges may judge{H8199} them; then they shall justify{H6663} the righteous{H6662}, and condemn{H7561} the wicked{H7563}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 17:15
- ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.
Deuteronomy 17:8
- ¶ If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, [being] matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
Deuteronomy 17:9
- And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
Deuteronomy 1:16
- And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear [the causes] between your brethren, and judge righteously between [every] man and his brother, and the stranger [that is] with him.
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.
Isaiah 1:17
- Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Isaiah 32:1
- ¶ Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Deuteronomy 25:1
Deuteronomy 25:1 is part of the final book of the Torah, which contains Moses' speeches to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This verse addresses the administration of justice within the community, emphasizing the role of judges in resolving disputes. The historical context suggests that this instruction was given to the ancient Israelites as they transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled, agrarian society in Canaan, where a formal legal system would be necessary to maintain order and ensure fair treatment among its members.
The theme of the verse is the proper conduct of judges when presented with a legal case. It outlines a fundamental principle of justice: to acquit the innocent and convict the guilty. This principle reflects a broader biblical emphasis on righteousness, equity, and the sanctity of justice, which are recurrent concerns throughout the Pentateuch and the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible. The verse underscores the importance of impartial judgment, a concept that would have been revolutionary in the ancient Near Eastern context, where justice was often swayed by social status or personal connections.
In summary, Deuteronomy 25:1 encapsulates the ethical imperative for judges to act with integrity, upholding justice by differentiating between the righteous and the wicked. This command serves as a cornerstone for the establishment of a just society, one that is guided by moral law and the pursuit of equity for all its inhabitants. It reflects the broader legal and moral framework of the Mosaic Law, which sought to create a community governed by fairness and the fear of God, rather than the capriciousness of human whims.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7379
There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיב
Transliteration: rîyb
Pronunciation: reeb
Description: or רִב; from רִיב; a contest (personal or legal); [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading, strife, strive(-ing), suit. - Strong's Number: H582
There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
Pronunciation: en-oshe'
Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H5066
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַשׁ
Transliteration: nâgash
Pronunciation: naw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. - Strong's Number: H4941
There are 406 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁפָּט
Transliteration: mishpâṭ
Pronunciation: mish-pawt'
Description: from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style; [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. - Strong's Number: H8199
There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁפַט
Transliteration: shâphaṭ
Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. - Strong's Number: H6663
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָדַק
Transliteration: tsâdaq
Pronunciation: tsaw-dak'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense); cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). - Strong's Number: H6662
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַדִּיק
Transliteration: tsaddîyq
Pronunciation: tsad-deek'
Description: from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man). - Strong's Number: H7561
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשַׁע
Transliteration: râshaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shah'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate; condemn, make trouble, vex, be (commit, deal, depart, do) wicked(-ly, -ness). - Strong's Number: H7563
There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשָׁע
Transliteration: râshâʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.