TRV
Translation
King James Version
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Complete Jewish Bible
"If a malicious witness comes forward and gives false testimony against someone,
American Standard Version
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,
World English Bible Messianic
If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,
Young's Literal Translation
`When a violent witness doth rise against a man, to testify against him apostasy,
In the KJVVerse 5,423 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Deuteronomy 19 verses 14–21
14 ¶ Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
Here is a statute for the preventing of frauds and perjuries; for the divine law takes care of men's rights and properties, and has made a hedge about them. Such a friend is it to human society and men's civil interest.
I. A law against frauds, Deu 19:14. 1. Here is an implicit direction given to the first planters of Canaan to fix land-marks, according to the distribution of the land to the several tribes and families by lot. Note, It is the will of God that every one should know his own, and that all good means should be used to prevent encroachments and the doing and suffering of wrong. When right is settled, care must be taken that it be not afterwards unsettled, and that, if possible, no occasion of dispute may arise. 2. An express law to posterity not to remove those land-marks which were thus fixed at first, by which a man secretly got that to himself which was his neighbour's. This, without doubt, is a moral precept, and still binding, and to us it forbids, (1.) The invading of any man's right, and taking to ourselves that which is not our own, by any fraudulent arts or practices, as by forging, concealing, destroying, or altering deeds and writings (which are our land-marks, to which appeals are made), or by shifting hedges, meer-stones, and boundaries. Though the land-marks were set by the hand of man, yet he was a thief and a robber by the law of God that removed them. Let every man be content with his own lot, and just to his neighbours, and then we shall have no land-marks removed. (2.) It forbids the sowing of discord among neighbours, and doing any thing to occasion strife and law-suits, which is done (and it is very ill done) by confounding those things which should determine disputes and decide controversies. And, (3.) It forbids breaking in upon the settled order and constitution of civil government, and the altering of ancient usages without just cause. This law supports the honour of prescriptions. Consuetudo facit jus - Custom is to be held as law.
II. A law against perjuries, which enacts two things: - 1. That a single witness should never be admitted to give evidence in a criminal cause, so as that sentence should be passed upon his testimony, Deu 19:15. This law we had before, Num 35:30, and in this book, Deu 17:6. This was enacted in favour to the prisoner, whose life and honour should not lie at the mercy of a particular person that had a pique against him, and for caution to the accuser not to say that which he could not corroborate by the testimony of another. It is a just shame which this law puts upon mankind as false and not to be trusted; every man is by it suspected: and it is the honour of God's grace that the record he has given concerning his Son is confirmed both in heaven and in earth by three witnesses, Jo1 5:7. Let God be true and every man a liar, Rom 3:4. 2. That a false witness should incur the same punishment which was to have been inflicted upon the person he accused. If two, or three, or many witnesses, concurred in a false testimony, they were all liable to be prosecuted upon this law. (2.) The person wronged or brought into peril by the false testimony is supposed to be the appellant, Deu 19:17. And yet if the person were put to death upon the evidence, and afterwards it appeared to be false, any other person, or the judges themselves, ex officio - by virtue of their office, might call the false witness to account. (3.) Causes of this kind, having more than ordinary difficulty in them, were to be brought before the supreme court, The priests and judges, who are said to be before the Lord, because, as other judges sat in the gates of their cities, so these at the gate of the sanctuary, Deu 17:12. (4.) There must be great care in the trial, Deu 19:18. A diligent inquisition must be made into the characters of the persons, and all the circumstances of the case, which must be compared, that the truth might be found out, which, where it is thus faithfully and impartially enquired into, Providence, it may be hoped, will particularly advance the discovery of. (5.) If it appeared that a man had knowingly and maliciously borne false witness against his neighbour, though the mischief he designed him thereby was not effected, he must undergo the same penalty which his evidence would have brought his neighbour under, Deu 19:19. Nec lex est justior ulla - Nor could any law be more just. If the crime he accused his neighbour of was to be punished with death, the false witness must be put to death; if with stripes, he must be beaten; if with a pecuniary mulct, he was to be fined the sum. And because to those who considered not the heinousness of the crime, and the necessity of making this provision against it, it might seem hard to punish a man so severely for a few words' speaking, especially when no mischief did actually follow, it is added: Thy eye shall not pity, Deu 19:21. No man needs to be more merciful than God. The benefit that will accrue to the public from this severity will abundantly recompense it: Those that remain shall hear and fear, Deu 19:20. Such exemplary punishments will be warnings to others not to attempt any such mischief, when they see how he that made the pit and digged it has fallen into the ditch which he made.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 14–21. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 19:16 introduces a foundational principle of ancient Israelite jurisprudence: the grave offense of bearing false witness. This verse establishes the premise for subsequent laws detailing the judicial process and severe penalties for those who intentionally pervert justice through deceitful testimony, underscoring the community's commitment to truth and the protection of the innocent within its legal system.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within a larger section of Deuteronomy (chapters 16-26) that outlines the civil, judicial, and ceremonial laws given to Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, Deuteronomy 19 focuses on legal procedures designed to ensure justice and protect life. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 19:1-13) establish the institution of cities of refuge, providing asylum for those who commit unintentional homicide, thereby distinguishing between accidental death and premeditated murder. Immediately prior to our verse, Deuteronomy 19:15 lays down the crucial rule that a conviction for any offense requires the testimony of at least two or three witnesses, preventing a single malicious individual from condemning another. Deuteronomy 19:16 then addresses the specific danger posed when one of these witnesses is found to be false, setting the stage for the detailed instructions on how to handle such a grave breach of justice in Deuteronomy 19:17-19. The entire chapter emphasizes the sanctity of life and the meticulous pursuit of truth in legal matters.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Israelite society, like many ancient Near Eastern cultures, placed a high value on oral testimony in legal proceedings, as written documentation was less common for everyday transactions or accusations. The judicial system operated primarily through local elders and judges at the city gates, where disputes were heard and judgments rendered. In such a system, the integrity of witnesses was paramount. Bearing false witness was not merely a minor transgression but a direct assault on the fabric of society, capable of destroying an individual's reputation, property, and even life. The Mosaic Law, distinct from many contemporary legal codes, sought to establish a higher standard of justice, emphasizing the protection of the vulnerable and the pursuit of righteousness. The concept of "wrong" or "violence" (Hebrew: chamas) associated with false testimony highlights the destructive impact it had on the victim and the community, often leading to a perversion of justice that could result in wrongful death, dispossession, or severe punishment.
Key Themes: Deuteronomy 19:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy. First and foremost is the theme of Justice and Righteousness, which is a core demand of God for His covenant people. The law against false witness is a direct application of God's righteous character to human legal systems, ensuring that judgments reflect divine truth. This principle is deeply rooted in the Ninth Commandment, which explicitly forbids bearing false witness against one's neighbor. Secondly, the verse highlights the Protection of the Innocent. The elaborate legal safeguards, including the multiple witness rule in Deuteronomy 19:15 and the severe penalties for false testimony, were designed to prevent the wrongful condemnation of individuals and to safeguard their lives, livelihoods, and reputations from malicious intent. Thirdly, it underscores the Integrity of the Community. A society where truth is disregarded and lies are tolerated cannot stand. This law, therefore, serves to maintain the moral and social order of Israel, ensuring accountability and fostering an environment where truth is honored and justice prevails, reflecting the very nature of God, who is truth and justice. The consequences outlined in Deuteronomy 19:18-19 demonstrate the seriousness with which God viewed such an offense, applying the principle of lex talionis to the false accuser.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 19:16 employs several literary devices to convey its legal and moral weight. The verse functions as a Conditional Clause, setting up an "if...then" structure that is common in legal texts throughout the Pentateuch. This structure clearly defines the circumstances under which the subsequent legal action (detailed in later verses) will be applied. The language is highly Legalistic, using precise terms like "witness," "testify," and "against," which firmly place the verse within the framework of Israelite jurisprudence. This precise terminology underscores the formal and serious nature of the offense. Furthermore, there is an implied Antithesis between the ideal of truthful testimony, which is foundational to a just society, and the destructive reality of false witness. This contrast highlights the profound moral and societal danger posed by deceit in legal matters, reinforcing the absolute necessity of truth for the integrity of the community and the divine mandate for justice.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 19:16 is not an isolated legal decree but a vital component of God's broader revelation concerning justice, truth, and the sanctity of human life within the covenant community. It reflects the very character of God, who is truth and righteousness, and demands that His people embody these attributes in their social and legal interactions. The prohibition against false witness is a direct application of the Ninth Commandment, underscoring that integrity in speech, especially in matters affecting a person's life or reputation, is a fundamental moral obligation. This law served as a crucial safeguard against the abuse of power and the perversion of justice, ensuring that the vulnerable were protected from malicious accusations. The severity of the prescribed punishment for a false witness (detailed in Deuteronomy 19:19), where they would suffer the very penalty they intended for the accused, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to retributive justice and His abhorrence of deceit.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 19:16, while rooted in the ancient Israelite legal system, carries profound and timeless implications for believers today. It calls us to a radical commitment to truthfulness in all areas of life, extending far beyond a courtroom. In an age saturated with information and misinformation, the principle of not bearing false witness challenges us to be discerning, to verify facts, and to resist the temptation to spread rumors, gossip, or unverified claims that could unjustly harm another's reputation or well-being. This verse reminds us that our words have immense power—power to build up or to tear down, to establish justice or to pervert it. As followers of Christ, who is the Truth, we are called to embody integrity in our speech, to stand against deceit, and to advocate for justice, especially for those who are falsely accused or marginalized. It compels us to consider the impact of our words and to ensure that they are always seasoned with grace and truth, reflecting the character of God in a world often marred by falsehood.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "false witness" mean in the biblical context?
Answer: In the biblical context, particularly in the Old Testament law, "false witness" (Hebrew: ‘ēd shāqer) refers to someone who gives testimony in a legal proceeding that is intentionally untrue, deceptive, or malicious. It's not merely a mistake or an inaccurate recollection, but a deliberate lie designed to harm an innocent party, pervert justice, or secure an unjust outcome. This was considered a grave offense because it directly undermined the integrity of the judicial system and could lead to severe consequences, including the wrongful condemnation or even death of the accused. The concept is deeply tied to the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness against one's neighbor, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity in community life.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 19:16, with its stern warning against false witness and its emphasis on justice, finds its ultimate and most poignant fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "man" against whom false witnesses rose up, fulfilling the very scenario described in this verse. During His trial, numerous false witnesses came forward to testify against Him, fabricating charges and twisting His words, as recorded in Mark 14:56-59. Yet, Jesus, the embodiment of truth and righteousness, remained silent, enduring the unjust accusations and the perversion of justice without retaliation. His suffering under these false testimonies underscores humanity's propensity for deceit and injustice, even against God Himself. Christ's innocent suffering and death on the cross, a direct result of these false accusations, serve as the ultimate vindication of truth over falsehood. He bore the penalty for all human deceit and injustice, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, including the sin of bearing false witness. Ultimately, Jesus, who declared Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life, stands as the perfect witness to God's character and truth, ensuring that in Him, true justice and righteousness are eternally upheld and offered to all who believe.