Deuteronomy 25:1 kjv
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.
Deuteronomy 25:1 nkjv
"If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked,
Deuteronomy 25:1 niv
When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
Deuteronomy 25:1 esv
"If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty,
Deuteronomy 25:1 nlt
"Suppose two people take a dispute to court, and the judges declare that one is right and the other is wrong.
Deuteronomy 25 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 18:21 | "...you shall select from all the people able men...and let them judge..." | Qualities of judges: fear God, truth, hate unjust gain. |
| Lev 19:15 | "You shall do no injustice in judgment...in righteousness you shall judge..." | Command for impartial judgment. |
| Deut 1:16-17 | "Hear the cases between your brothers...judge righteously...do not show partiality..." | Judges must be impartial. |
| Deut 16:18-20 | "You shall appoint judges and officers...judge the people with righteous judgment." | Imperative for justice and against bribery. |
| Deut 24:17 | "You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless..." | Protection for vulnerable in court. |
| 2 Chr 19:6-7 | "Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD..." | Judges are accountable to God. |
| Job 8:3 | "Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?" | God's absolute justice as a standard. |
| Ps 7:9 | "Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end...for you, O righteous God, test the minds and hearts." | God brings an end to wickedness through justice. |
| Ps 58:11 | "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth." | God as ultimate judge and enforcer of justice. |
| Ps 82:3-4 | "Give justice to the weak and the orphan...deliver the poor and needy..." | Judges' duty to uphold the rights of the weak. |
| Prov 17:15 | "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD." | Abhorrence of perverting justice. |
| Prov 24:23-25 | "These also are sayings of the wise: Partiality in judging is not good." | Warning against favoritism in judgment. |
| Isa 5:23 | "...who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!" | Prophetic denunciation of corrupt judges. |
| Isa 10:1-2 | "Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees...to turn aside the needy from justice..." | Injustice in legislation and judiciary. |
| Amos 5:7 | "O you who turn justice to wormwood and cast righteousness to the earth!" | Condemnation of perverted justice. |
| Mic 3:9 | "Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob...who detest justice..." | Denunciation of leaders who reject justice. |
| Zec 7:9 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments..." | God's command for true and merciful judgments. |
| Jn 7:24 | "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." | Jesus' instruction for true judgment. |
| Rom 2:1-3 | "...for in passing judgment upon another you condemn yourself..." | Warning against hypocritical judgment. |
| 1 Cor 6:1-6 | Paul rebukes believers for suing each other before unbelievers. | Prefer internal conflict resolution over secular courts. |
| Jas 2:4 | "...have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" | Warning against partiality in judgment. |
Deuteronomy 25 verses
Deuteronomy 25 1 Meaning
Deuteronomy 25:1 establishes a fundamental principle of justice within the Israelite community, outlining the procedure and objective of a legal dispute brought before judges. It mandates that when two parties have a conflict and approach a court, the appointed judges must diligently hear their cases, discern the truth, and then definitively pronounce the righteous as innocent and acquit them, while unequivocally declaring the wicked as guilty and condemning them. The verse underscores the imperative for judicial integrity and the precise application of law to ensure fairness and uphold the moral order, reflecting God's own character of perfect justice.
Deuteronomy 25 1 Context
Deuteronomy 25:1 is embedded within the legal framework presented by Moses in the book of Deuteronomy, a crucial exposition of the Mosaic Law to the second generation of Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. The preceding chapters detail numerous civil and social statutes aimed at regulating community life, from the fair treatment of laborers to ethical conduct in marriage. This verse, therefore, continues a section that provides practical guidelines for maintaining a just and holy society, reinforcing the covenant relationship with God.
Historically and culturally, the administration of justice was central to ancient Near Eastern societies. However, corruption, bribery, and partiality were common issues. Deuteronomy 25:1, like many other Mosaic laws, serves as a direct counter-narrative, establishing an ideal of impartial and righteous judgment that mirrored God’s own perfect justice. It sets Israel apart from nations where power, wealth, or status often dictated legal outcomes. The command for judges to declare the righteous innocent and the wicked guilty stands in direct polemic against any system that would acquit the guilty for gain or condemn the innocent through malice, ensuring that judicial outcomes align with moral truth, reflecting the divine expectation for societal order.
Deuteronomy 25 1 Word analysis
"If there is" (Hebrew: Kî-yihyeh - כִּי־יִהְיֶה): Introduces a conditional clause, signaling a specific scenario. It suggests that such disputes are expected occurrences in human society, making the following injunction practical and necessary.
"dispute" (Hebrew: rîb - רִיב): Refers to a legal contention, a lawsuit, or a controversy. It signifies a formal disagreement that requires adjudication, rather than a mere quarrel. This term implies the involvement of conflicting claims that need objective resolution.
"between men" (Hebrew: bên-'ănâšîm - בֵּין־אֲנָשִׁים): Specifies that the dispute is interpersonal, occurring between members of the community, highlighting the focus on civil relations within Israel.
"and they go to court" (Hebrew: wĕniggĕšû baššōpāṭ - וְנִגְּשׁוּ בַמִּשְׁפָּט): Literally, "and they draw near to the judgment" or "to the judge." It denotes the act of formally presenting their case before an authoritative legal body, highlighting the established process of justice.
"and the judges" (Hebrew: wĕšap̄āṭûhû šōpĕṭîm - וְשָׁפְטוּהוּ שֹׁפְטִים): "And judges judge him/them." This phrase identifies the specific office-bearers responsible for rendering the verdict. Shoftim (judges) are individuals appointed or recognized for their role in adjudication, implying authority and responsibility.
"decide their case" (Hebrew: wĕšap̄āṭûhû - וְשָׁפְטוּהוּ): This is part of the previous Hebrew phrase. The verb shāp̄aṭ (שפט) means "to judge, to govern, to decide." Here, it specifically means to render a verdict after hearing both sides.
"declaring the righteous" (Hebrew: wĕhiṣdîqû ṣaddîq - וְהִצְדִּיקוּ צַדִּיק): From the root ṣādēq (צדק). Hiṣdîq means "to declare righteous, to justify, to acquit." Tzaddik means "the righteous person." This signifies a legal pronouncement of innocence and vindication. It’s not about making someone righteous, but confirming their righteousness (in the legal sense) based on the evidence.
"and condemning the wicked" (Hebrew: wĕhiršî'û rāšā' - וְהִרְשִׁיעוּ רָשָׁע): From the root rāša' (רשע). Hirshî'û means "to declare wicked, to condemn, to find guilty." Rasha means "the wicked person." This signifies a legal pronouncement of guilt, assigning fault and deserving punishment. This pair ("declare righteous" / "condemn wicked") represents the two possible, and necessary, outcomes of an impartial judicial process.
Words-group analysis:
- "If there is a dispute between men and they go to court": This phrase describes the initiation of legal proceedings. It highlights that civil disagreements are a part of life and must be addressed through an established, formal, and impartial judicial system, not through personal vengeance or chaos. It underscores the divine expectation for orderly resolution of conflict.
- "and the judges decide their case, declaring the righteous and condemning the wicked": This clause sets forth the fundamental duty and two-fold outcome of proper adjudication. It implies thorough investigation, discernment of truth, and a verdict that precisely reflects the guilt or innocence of the parties, thereby upholding justice and demonstrating the moral fabric of the community. It directly reflects God’s own judicial character, which consistently distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked.
Deuteronomy 25 1 Bonus section
The verb "to justify" (hitzdîq) in the phrase "declaring the righteous" has profound theological resonance beyond the purely legal context. It is the same root used later in scripture to describe God's act of "justifying" humanity (Rom 3:24-26, Rom 5:1). While the Deut 25:1 refers to legal acquittal based on innocence, its usage highlights a conceptual bridge: just as human judges are expected to discern and declare righteousness (innocence) based on law, God's ultimate act of justification is a declaration of righteousness, though for humanity, this divine act is not based on earned innocence but on His grace through Christ's atonement. This parallelism underscores the divine ideal for human justice, linking it to the very character and ultimate redemptive acts of God. This verse therefore does not just detail a civil law; it hints at the very nature of truth, accountability, and righteousness in the eyes of God.
Deuteronomy 25 1 Commentary
Deuteronomy 25:1 serves as a cornerstone of judicial ethics within Israel, asserting the fundamental requirement for judges to deliver an unvarnished and impartial verdict. This short verse outlines the essence of a righteous legal system: when conflict arises, an authoritative body (the judges) must be approached, and their duty is to diligently weigh the evidence, separate truth from falsehood, and render a judgment that accurately reflects the guilt or innocence of each party. There is no middle ground allowed for compromise when truth and justice are at stake; the one who is right must be affirmed, and the one who is wrong must be held accountable. This directive stands as a bulwark against corruption, bribery, and favoritism, issues that plagued legal systems throughout antiquity and sadly, continue to challenge societies today. It reiterates that human courts are meant to reflect divine justice, upholding God’s standards of truth and righteousness, essential for societal order and harmony.
For practical application, this verse impresses upon us the need for integrity in any position of authority, especially where decisions impact the lives of others. It reminds Christians, for example, of the importance of honest judgment in conflict resolution within the church, as advocated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6, where the goal is to discern truth and justly restore harmony.