Deuteronomy 19:16-19
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The Hebrew word translated as "wrong" here actually means "falling away" or "defection." This highlights that false testimony isn't just about lying, but about turning away from truth and causing someone else to suffer a severe consequence, a spiritual rebellion disguised as a legal accusation.
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)
The preceding verses have established the requirement of two or three witnesses for any accusation to be considered valid, safeguarding against false charges. Now, Moses addresses the severe consequences for a witness who intentionally lies, specifically when that malicious testimony could lead to a severe penalty for the accused. This teaching is part of God's larger judicial and ethical framework for Israel.
The Bible is incredibly serious about speech. This verse uses a specific term to describe the false witness's crime, and it’s more than just telling a lie.
The Hebrew word used here, often translated as 'wrongdoing' or 'defection,' literally means to 'turn aside' or 'go astray.' When applied to a witness, it signifies a deliberate turning away from the truth and from God's law.
A Deviation from the Path
This wasn't just about misremembering a detail. A false witness was accused of 'sodding,' a profound departure from righteousness and divine order. It was a malicious act that aimed to pervert justice and cause ruin to the accused.
Intent Matters
This points to the intentionality behind the words. A false witness wasn't merely mistaken; they were actively seeking to mislead, to cause harm, and to subvert the very foundations of justice established by God.
What happens to someone who tries to ruin another's life with lies? This passage lays out a severe and deeply proportionate consequence.
The principle here is the law of lex talionis, often translated as 'an eye for an eye.' However, it's crucial to understand this wasn't about petty revenge; it was about establishing justice and deterring horrific crimes.
Restoring Justice
If a false witness succeeded in causing the accused to face a punishment (like a fine, beating, or even death), the false witness was to receive the punishment. This wasn't just about retribution; it was about acknowledging the gravity of the crime and preventing the perversion of justice.
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A Deterrent and a Standard
God's law here aimed to make people think twice, even three times, before uttering a word that could lead to another's downfall. The stakes were incredibly high, underscoring the value God placed on truth and the protection of the innocent.
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.
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.
This passage lays out the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' which is directly echoed in the punishment for a false witness in Deuteronomy 19, showing the foundational legal concept of retaliatory justice for severe offenses.
Leviticus 19:16This verse expands on the prohibition against bearing false witness, emphasizing its malicious nature ('You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people') and connecting it to the broader command to love your neighbor.
Proverbs 6:19This proverb lists 'a false witness who breathes out lies' as one of the things the Lord hates, underscoring the deep offense false testimony holds in God's sight.
Matthew 26:59This passage describes false witnesses being brought forward to testify against Jesus, illustrating how this ancient legal threat played out in the ultimate betrayal and persecution.
Acts 6:13Here, false witnesses are suborned to lie against Stephen, showing the continued danger of malicious testimony and the pattern of using it to attack faithful believers.
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 as "wrong" here actually means "falling away" or "defection." This highlights that false testimony isn't just about lying, but about turning away from truth and causing someone else to suffer a severe consequence, a spiritual rebellion disguised as a legal accusation.
The preceding verses have established the requirement of two or three witnesses for any accusation to be considered valid, safeguarding against false charges. Now, Moses addresses the severe consequences for a witness who intentionally lies, specifically when that malicious testimony could lead to a severe penalty for the accused. This teaching is part of God's larger judicial and ethical framework for Israel.
The preceding verses have established the requirement of two or three witnesses for any accusation to be considered valid, safeguarding against false charges. Now, Moses addresses the severe consequences for a witness who intentionally lies, specifically when that malicious testimony could lead to a severe penalty for the accused. This teaching is part of God's larger judicial and ethical framework for Israel.
"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 as "wrong" here actually means "falling away" or "defection." This highlights that false testimony isn't just about lying, but about turning away from truth and causing som…
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Last reviewed October 2026
