Deuteronomy 19 18

Deuteronomy 19:18 kjv

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

Deuteronomy 19:18 nkjv

And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother,

Deuteronomy 19:18 niv

The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,

Deuteronomy 19:18 esv

The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely,

Deuteronomy 19:18 nlt

The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,

Deuteronomy 19 verses

Deuteronomy 19 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 19:18 mandates that judges are required to conduct a thorough and diligent investigation whenever an accusation of false witness is brought forward. This investigative duty ensures that truth is uncovered and justice is upheld, especially when the initial testimony is alleged to be deceitful and aimed at harming a fellow Israelite. It sets the foundation for identifying and addressing perjury within the judicial system, leading directly to the prescribed consequences for such a grave offense.

Deuteronomy 19 18 Context

Deuteronomy 19 is part of Moses' second address to Israel, given just before their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter focuses on laws concerning justice and legal procedures necessary for a functioning covenant community. It begins with rules for cities of refuge (vv. 1-13) for unintentional homicide, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and the need for fair process even in such cases. Verse 15 introduces the necessity of multiple witnesses (two or three) to establish guilt, a fundamental principle of justice. Verses 16-21 specifically address the scenario where a witness might be malicious or give false testimony, outlining the procedure to identify such a witness and the prescribed penalty. Deuteronomy 19:18 falls directly within this procedure, stressing the judges' non-negotiable duty to investigate meticulously to determine the truth and protect the innocent from malicious accusations that could lead to death or severe harm.

Deuteronomy 19 18 Word analysis

• And the judges (וְדָרְשׁוּ הַשֹּׁפְטִים, wedorəšu hashshoᵓp̄əṭim):
  • וְדָרְשׁוּ (wedorəšu): From the Hebrew root darash (דָּרַשׁ), meaning "to seek," "to inquire," "to investigate," "to examine diligently." This is a strong imperative, denoting a thorough and exhaustive search for the truth, not a superficial review. It reflects the weight of their responsibility and God's demand for true justice. This word is often used in seeking God, indicating the serious and reverent nature of this judicial inquiry.
  • הַשֹּׁפְטִים (hashshoᵓp̄əṭim): "The judges." These were divinely appointed authorities responsible for administering God's laws within the community, upholding righteousness and order.
• shall make diligent inquiry: This phrase accurately conveys the intense, purposeful nature of the verb darash. It emphasizes the active and mandatory role of the judiciary in legal matters, preventing miscarriage of justice due to negligence.
• and, behold, (וְהִנֵּה, wehinneh): An interjection used to draw immediate attention, signaling a significant revelation or crucial point. It emphasizes the critical finding the judges might uncover—the very real possibility of a false witness.
• if the witness (כִּי־עֵד, ki-ʻēd):
  • כִּי (ki): "If" or "indeed," introducing a conditional clause or stating a factual condition.
  • עֵד (ʻēd): "Witness." A person who gives testimony based on their knowledge or observation.
• be a false witness (שֶׁקֶר הָעֵד, sheqer hāʻēd):
  • שֶׁקֶר (sheqer): "Falsehood," "deceit," "lie." It denotes something that is untrue, fraudulent, or deceptive. This clarifies the specific nature of the witness's accusation.
  • הָעֵד (hāʻēd): The witness, explicitly pointing to the individual in question. This emphasizes the person is indeed the source of the falsehood.
• and hath testified falsely (וְהַכְחִישׁ, vehakhchīš): From the verb kachash (כָּחַשׁ), in the Hiphil stem, meaning "to prove false," "to deny," "to make lie," or "to bear false witness." It implies an active and deliberate act of presenting untrue testimony, contrary to reality.
• against his brother (בְּאָחִיו, be'āḥiw):
  • בְּ (be): "Against" or "concerning."
  • אָחִיו (āḥiw): "His brother." In the biblical context, "brother" often extends beyond a literal sibling to refer to a fellow Israelite, neighbor, or member of the covenant community. This highlights that perjury is not just a legal transgression but a direct violation of communal trust and love for one's neighbor.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the judges shall make diligent inquiry": This phrase establishes the judicial imperative for a comprehensive investigation, highlighting the judges' proactive and meticulous role in truth-seeking, crucial for the integrity of justice in Israel.
• "if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother": This clause precisely defines the crime: a witness (the source) presents untrue testimony (the content) that causes harm (the effect) to a fellow community member (the victim). The dual emphasis on "false witness" and "testified falsely" underscores both the character and the act of deception.

Deuteronomy 19 18 Bonus section

The Hebrew emphasis on "darash" (diligent inquiry) found here and in other judicial contexts (e.g., Deut 13:14 concerning apostasy in a city) contrasts sharply with pagan legal systems that often relied on divination, oaths, or power rather than investigative diligence. It demonstrates the uniquely ethical and truth-oriented nature of God's law. This strong judicial oversight was critical given the oral nature of trials, where witness testimony was paramount. Without the robust protection against false witness, the justice system would collapse, and innocent lives would be at risk, undermining the very fabric of the covenant.

Deuteronomy 19 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:18 unveils a cornerstone of divine justice within ancient Israel: the meticulous investigation of judicial claims, particularly those involving life-and-death consequences. The command for judges to "make diligent inquiry" (derived from darash) underscores that justice is not merely procedural but must be passionately pursued and scrupulously applied. This mandate extends beyond a casual examination, demanding a profound and exhaustive search for the truth, mirroring God's own thoroughness. The possibility of a "false witness" ("ed sheqer") appearing in court was a grave concern, recognized as a destructive force within the covenant community. Such a witness did not merely misremember facts; they deliberately "testified falsely" (hikhchish), actively deceiving the court and threatening the life or welfare of their "brother," their fellow Israelite. This legal context transforms the crime of perjury from a simple untruth into an assault on the community, a direct violation of neighborly love, and a corruption of divine justice. The subsequent verses (Dt 19:19-21) then detail the stringent punishment for such an act—the false witness receiving the penalty they intended for the accused—reinforcing the formidable deterrent against perjury and solidifying the principle that the pursuit of truth and righteousness in the courtroom protects all of God's people.