Deuteronomy 19:16-19
If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Hebrew word translated here as "wrong" is the same one used for "rebellion" or "falling away" from God. This shows that a false accusation isn't just a lie; it's seen as an act of rebellion against the divine order and the community God established. It highlights the profound gravity of undermining justice by twisting truth.
This passage follows the laws laid down for establishing truth in legal matters, insisting that a charge must be supported by at least two or three witnesses. Now, Moses addresses the dangerous possibility of a malicious individual deliberately lying in court to harm someone. The focus here is on the consequences for such a deceptive accuser, setting the stage for the principle of "eye for eye" applied to false testimony.
The Bible doesn't just call them 'false witnesses,' but 'witnesses of violence.' What does this powerful phrase reveal about the true nature of lying under oath?
In Deuteronomy, a false witness isn't just someone who misspoke; they are described as a 'witness of violence' or one who testifies to 'wrongdoing' (which can mean 'falling away' or 'defection' from God's law).
More Than a Mistake
This language points to the destructive impact of lies. A false testimony isn't a minor infraction; it's an act that aims to inflict harm, to unjustly condemn, and to disrupt the community's sense of order and justice. It's an assault on truth and on the person being accused.
A Defection from Truth
Furthermore, the word for 'wrongdoing' connects this act to a turning away from God's standards. When someone lies in a legal setting, they are not only defying human authorities but also defiling the sacred trust placed in them and rejecting the principles of righteousness God established.
What happens when a false accusation nearly destroys someone? This passage prescribes a punishment that feels harsh, but reveals God's heart for justice.
The law in Deuteronomy is clear: if a false witness is proven to have lied, they are to receive the same punishment that the accused would have faced.
The Law of Retaliation
This principle, often called lex talionis or 'an eye for an eye,' wasn't about mere revenge. It was about ensuring that justice was proportionate and that the severity of the punishment fit the crime. For the false witness, the intent was to inflict the very harm they sought to cause through their lies.
Protecting the Innocent
This severe consequence served as a powerful deterrent. It underscored the absolute importance of truth in the community and provided strong protection for the innocent. By making the penalty equal to the potential damage, God communicated the immense value He places on every individual's life and reputation.
Understand the original words
‘ed · Hebrew Noun
A person who provides testimony in a legal setting; in Scripture, this role is crucial for justice, and false testimony is strictly forbidden as a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness.
sarah · Hebrew Noun
A legal or moral offense, iniquity, or deviation from the standard of holiness established by God; it represents a failure to live according to the covenantal law.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
YHVH, the personal and covenant-keeping name of the God of Israel, indicating His presence as the ultimate Judge and witness over human affairs.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
Individuals consecrated to God who serve in the tabernacle or temple, responsible for mediating between God and the people, including interpreting and applying the Law in judicial matters.
This passage speaks to the importance of not spreading false reports, echoing the concern in Deuteronomy about malicious witnesses and their destructive potential.
Leviticus 19:16This verse directly prohibits bearing false witness against a neighbor, underscoring the moral gravity of the accusation mentioned in Deuteronomy.
Proverbs 6:19This proverb lists a 'false witness who breathes out lies' as one of the things the Lord hates, highlighting the deep offense such deceit causes to God.
Matthew 26:59-60Here we see false witnesses testifying against Jesus during His trial, demonstrating how this ancient legal warning played out in a pivotal moment of biblical history.
1 Kings 21:10-13This account vividly illustrates the destructive power of a false witness, showing how lies were used to unjustly seize Naboth's vineyard, leading to tragic consequences.
calvinDeuteronomy 19:16-21: "If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;"
- If a false witness rise up against any man. Because the fear of God does not so prevail in all men, as that they should voluntarily abstain from the love of slander, God here appoints the punishment to be inflicted for perjury: for political laws are enacted against the ungodly and disobedient, in order that those who despise God's judgment should be brought before the tribunal of…
gillDeuteronomy 19:16: "If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;"
If a false witness rise up against any man,.... In a court of judicature: to testify against him: that which is not true of him, let it be in what case it will; Aben Ezra instances in idolatry, but it holds good of any other.
The Hebrew word translated here as "wrong" is the same one used for "rebellion" or "falling away" from God. This shows that a false accusation isn't just a lie; it's seen as an act of rebellion against the divine order and the community God established. It highlights the profound gravity of undermining justice by twisting truth.
This passage follows the laws laid down for establishing truth in legal matters, insisting that a charge must be supported by at least two or three witnesses. Now, Moses addresses the dangerous possibility of a malicious individual deliberately lying in court to harm someone. The focus here is on the consequences for such a deceptive accuser, setting the stage for the principle of "eye for eye" applied to false testimony.
This passage follows the laws laid down for establishing truth in legal matters, insisting that a charge must be supported by at least two or three witnesses. Now, Moses addresses the dangerous possibility of a malicious individual deliberately lying in court to harm someone. The focus here is on the consequences for such a deceptive accuser, setting the stage for the principle of "eye for eye" applied to false testimony.
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shaphat · Hebrew Noun
Those appointed to exercise authority in legal disputes, tasked with discerning truth and executing justice according to the Torah.
sheqer · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Lying or deceptive testimony; it is considered a grave sin because it perverts justice and undermines the sanctity of truth, which is central to God's character.
ach · Hebrew Noun
A fellow Israelite, reflecting the communal bond and covenantal obligation of love and justice shared by members of God's people.
ba‘ar · Hebrew Verb
The act of removing moral impurity or wickedness from the community, ensuring that the people remain holy and set apart for God's presence.
ra‘ah · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A broad category for anything that is morally wicked, corrupt, or contrary to the will of God, often requiring decisive action to remove it from the covenant community.
"If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if t…" — The Hebrew word translated here as "wrong" is the same one used for "rebellion" or "falling away" from God. This shows that a false accusation isn't just a lie; it's seen as an act of rebellion again…
